Nearly 100,000 people are living with HIV in the UK

Did you know that it is 30 years since the first cases of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) were reported?

To date 120,000 people in the UK have been diagonosed with HIV. 27,000 have developed AIDS and 20,000 people have died since 1981.

By the end of 2010 there were 91,500 people living with HIV in the UK and 24% of them are undiagnosed, meaning that they do not know they have HIV.

6660 people were newly diagnosed with HIV in 2010. 55% of infections were acquired in the UK, almost all through sexual transmission.

An estimated 3000 of the newly diagnosed infections were made in men who have sex with men. This is highest number ever reported in a year.

Although there has been a decline in the number of people being diagnosed late (i.e. when they need treatment), more still needs to be done to encourage those at risk to have an HIV test.

How much do you know about HIV?

If you’re having unprotected sex then you may find out more than you want to know.

HIV can be passed on through:

• unprotected sex (sex without a condom); through infected blood, semen, vaginal fluid
• sharing infected needles and works
• from an HIV positive mother to her child during pregnancy, child birth or breastfeeding

Anybody can become infected with HIV however men who have sex with men and people who have sexual partners from sub-Saharan Africa are most at risk and are encouraged to be tested for HIV on a regular basis.

There is no cure for HIV and no vaccine to prevent you from getting it.

A quarter of people with HIV in the UK don’t know they have it and many people diagnosed with this virus will be diagnosed late – AFTER the point at which they should have started treatment.

However, if you have had unprotected sex and are worried about HIV then a quick and simple test can be done at any of Hampshire’s sexual health clinics (GUM) and you can also request a test at your GP surgery.

REMEMBER – the earlier the diagnosis, the greater chance you have of living a longer and healthier life.

The only way to find out if you’ve got HIV is to be tested for it. You can ask your GP for an HIV test or attend a local GUM / sexual health clinic. Use the GET IT ON website to find out more information about sexual health and to find out where your nearest clinic is.

Alternatively, you can either call ‘THT Direct’ on 0808 802 1221 Monday to Friday 10am – 10pm, Saturday and Sunday 12pm – 6pm or go to their website –www.tht.org.uk for information, support and advice on HIV and sexual health.

If you would like to find out more about HIV testing and local support services visit www.getiton.nhs.uk/hiv-services

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