HIV testing week is a campaign to encourage people to get tested
(Picture: National HIV Testing Week)This week (February 6-12) is National HIV Testing Week, a campaign to promote regular testing for HIV among the most affected groups in England.
This year, the campaign is using the slogan “I test” to explore the reasons why people would get tested for HIV.
As part of the campaign, the NHS is encouraging people to get tested for HIV quickly, confidentially and free of charge.
People can live with HIV without symptoms for a long time, so getting tested is the only way for them to find out their HIV status.
How to get a free HIV test kit
Anyone in England over the age of 16 can request a free HIV test kit.
Simply head to freetesting.hiv where you can request that a test be posted to your home in plain packaging.
Testing at home involves using a lancet to prick your finger before collecting the blood in a test tube.
You then post the sample using the freepost box.
Free at-home HIV tests with a result in 15 minutes are available England-wide for the very first time this #NationalHIVTestingWeek.
— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) February 6, 2023
Getting a test is easy, free & confidential, and can help end HIV.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer @Thomas_Waite explains 👇 pic.twitter.com/f40CBv8v7P
Free HIV tests in London
Tests are available at sexual health clinics, HIV and sexual health charities, and from your GP.
Sexual Health London offers free at home testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV.
Alternatively, you can find your nearest sexual health clinic in London on the NHS website.
Symptoms of HIV
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that damages the cells in your immune system.
Around two to six weeks after HIV infection, people may experience a short flu-like illness for a week or two.
Then, HIV may not cause any symptoms for years, so people may not know their status.
Today is the start of #HIVTestingWeek.
— It Starts With Me (@startswith_me) February 6, 2023
Order your free test now at https://t.co/EHeVbe955Y pic.twitter.com/j7Uy8TstXL
How do you catch HIV?
The most common way of getting infected with HIV is through unprotected anal or vaginal sex.
However, it can also be transmitted by sharing needles or syringes and can be transmitted from mother to baby during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding.
Is HIV treatable?
People living with HIV can take antiretroviral medicines that stop the virus from replicating in the body, allowing the immune system to repair itself.
The goal of taking medicine is to have an undetectable viral load, which means the HIV cannot be detected with a test.
People living with HIV are encouraged to take regular exercise, eat a healthy diet, stop smoking, and have yearly flu jabs to minimise the risk of getting serious illnesses.
