HIV Testing Week starts Saturday 19th November

NATIONAL HIV Testing Week gets underway on 19th November, calling those at risk from HIV to come forward and have a simple test in a bid to boost detection rates.

The National Aids Trust found that a total of 88,769 people, including 315 children aged under 15, received HIV specialist care in 2015. 17 per cent of the estimated 103,700 people living with HIV in the UK are undiagnosed and do not know about their HIV infection.

HIV affects a wide range of communities; especially men who have sex with men and people of Black African ethnic origin. However, HIV can affect anyone.

The good news is that, if you are in a high risk group, you can now order a free HIV sampling kit – a simple finger-prick blood test to take in the privacy of your own home. Find out how you can get a test here at test.hiv.

However, anyone can have an HIV test if they think they may be at risk. To find out where you can arrange to get tested for a range of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, in a Warwickshire service, visit sexualhealthwarwickshire.nhs.uk.

Cllr Les Caborn, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Heath, said: “We know that there are many people who have simply not been detected yet as having HIV. An individual who is diagnosed late is nine times more likely to die within a year of receiving their diagnosis than someone who is diagnosed in good time. The majority of onward transmission of HIV in the UK is linked to those who are unaware that they have the infection.”

Dr John Linnane, Warwickshire County Council’s Director of Public Health said: “HIV is not the infection it used to be. It can primarily be prevented by making sure to always use condoms. It can be diagnosed with a simple blood test, and treatment is very effective when the disease is picked up early.”

For more information, or to find your local sexual health service, please visit sexualhealthwarwickshire.nhs.uk