Is it possible to test for HIV by analysing saliva or semen, rather than blood? !

Is it possible to test for HIV by analysing saliva or semen, rather than blood? Do GUM clinics offer this?

You can test the saliva, but you have to have a cotton swab in your mouth for about 10 minutes. My boyfriend had a medical for his insurance and the nurse put the swab right inside his mouth and it sort of lodged itself into his cheek. I guess it has to be that long because it absorbs enough of the saliva to check for HIV. You can't catch HIV if an infected person has spat on you, simply because there isn't enough of it, and it has to be able to get into your blood stream.

I'm not a medic but I think it must be a reliable way to test for it because otherwise the insurance companies would ask for a blood test - it's not in their best interest to perform a test if there's a risk that the results will be inaccurate, especially when they're planning to invest money in the health of someone!

GUM clinics might offer it - they will do HIV testing, but I can't say whether they'll do a saliva swab. Go to them and discuss with the doctor there - I'm sure they're used to people being afraid of needles or not wanting their blood taken for other reasons. They should be sympathetic and helpful, because at the end of the day, they're dealing with the people who are responsible enough to care about their sexual health and the health of others too. That commands a certain level of respect!