In Britain, more than 100,000 people have HIV. However, one in four people living with HIV in the UK do not know they have HIV, and eight out of 10 men get HIV from someone who did not know they were HIV+.
Testing, treatment and using condoms, can stop the spread of HIV, particularly as treatment for HIV is now more effective than ever and can reduce the levels of virus in someone’s body to an undetectable level. This means it is very unlikely they would pass the virus on.
Cllr Colin Stears, Chair of the Adult Social Services and Health Committee at Sutton Council, said:
“HIV affects all sections of the community, regardless of ethnicity or whether rich or poor. It is crucial to be tested regularly for HIV if you are sexually active and have a number of sexual partners. If you fall into this category, don’t put off being tested, for the sake of your health and your partners’.”
There are many places to take a free HIV test and all services are completely confidential. People can decide where they would feel most comfortable being tested.
Options include:
New Home testing. A free test will be available to risk groups in Sutton. Fore more information, click here.
Sexual health clinics or the Genitourinary Medicine (GUM) clinic at St Helier Hospital. Click here for more information
CASH (Contraception and Sexual Health) Service at Green Wrythe Lane Clinic, The Circle, Middleton Road, Carshalton SM5 1JF (Tel 020 3770 6071).
Free rapid HIV testing for anyone over 16 at Sutton Superdrug, 150 High Street, Sutton SM1 1NS, Thursdays 12-4pm, no appointment needed.For more information about National HIV Testing Week, visit the website http://www.tht.org.uk/itstartswithmeFind out more about HIV by reading the Do It London HIV Testing: FAQ at http://doitlondon.org/testing-for-hiv/hiv-testing-faq