National HIV Testing Week started on Saturday 16th November, with World AIDS Day on December 1st, and the new Saving Lives campaign is all about taking a test – and taking control.
“It’s 2019, and there’s no longer any place for HIV stigma,” says Medical Director of Saving Lives, Dr Steven Taylor.
“The truth is that people living with HIV who are on effective treatment cannot pass on their infection to their partners – and enjoy the same life expectancy as the rest of us. Prejudice must be a thing of the past.”
In the year that Welsh rugby international Gareth Thomas spoke publicly about his HIV diagnosis, football clubs are showing their support by encouraging more people to get tested.
“It’s easy to get a test,” said Taylor. “You can get one at your GP, local sexual health clinic, or order one online. There’s no excuse not to make sure – anyone can have HIV.
“It’s big news that we can now prevent people with HIV passing the virus to their loved ones. If you have put yourself at risk we’re encouraging everyone to get tested.”
There are more than 100,000 people living with HIV in the UK. Of these, over 10,000 do not know they are infected. Stigma still means that some people don’t take the test – but attitudes are changing.
For more information visit, www.savinglivesuk.com. Get a free HIV postal testing kit, discretely to your door from www.takeatestuk.com use voucher code WADSL2019.
To find your local testing centre, visit: startswithme.org.uk.
