NEWS that the first legally approved self testing kit for HIV has gone on sale is being welcomed in Scotland.

It is hoped the kits, which give results in 15 minutes, will reduce the number of people who are unaware they are carrying the virus and risk passing it on.

As late diagnosis of the illness can have a devastating impact on health and life expectancy, the kits could also ensure patients seek treatment more quickly.

The only alternative test currently available is said to require patients to send a blood sample away by post and wait five days for the results.

George Valiotis, chief executive officer of charity HIV Scotland, said: "These new self-test kits should help more people get tested for HIV - particularly those in rural areas or who would prefer not to go for free tests at their GP or local clinic. Estimates suggest that as many as 25 per cent of people living with HIV in Scotland don't know they have the virus, so increasing testing is critical. Especially given that if people with HIV get on treatment quickly, they can become un-infectious and live long, active lives.

"We want Scotland to step up all activity to prevent HIV, and to make sure those who do have HIV are diagnosed quickly."

Mr Valiotis stressed the kits were not a replacement for free testing services and lots more could be done to remove the barriers which deter people from being screened. This includes reducing stigma about the illness to increasing the availability of tests on the NHS.

The new kit, the BioSURE HIV Self Test, uses a small amount of blood from a finger prick sample to detect the presence of HIV antibodies and has a 99.7 per cent accuracy rate.

It is available online priced at £29.95 and is the first kit to have received the European safety and quality 'CE' mark.

All positive test results need to be confirmed by a healthcare professional and it is recommended that those in high-risk groups are tested every three months.

BioSure founder Brigette Bard said the launch is a significant step towards normalising HIV testing.

She said: "Knowing your HIV status is critical and the launch of this product will empower people to discreetly test themselves when it is convenient to them and in a place where they feel comfortable."

An estimated 26,000 people in the UK have HIV but are unaware of it, making them unknowingly responsible for the majority of onwards transmissions.