The UK Health Security Agency has issued a reminder to people urging them to check their HIV status through free tests and treatment on the NHS. HIV, or the human immunodeficiency virus, attacks a person’s immune system, leaving them vulnerable to serious illness.
If left untreated, the virus can seriously damage the immune system, making people more susceptible to illnesses such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, and cancer. Although there is currently no cure, there are treatments which can be extremely effective. People who are HIV positive but are undergoing an effective treatment and have an undetectable viral load, which is an extremely low level of the virus in their blood, cannot normally pass it on to someone else.
Taking to X, the UKHSA posted: “HIV can affect anyone, no matter your gender or sexual orientation. Here’s a reminder of the different ways to get tested.”
The alert was accompanied with a short video noting: “HIV testing and treatment is provided to anyone free of charge on the NHS. Many clinics can give you results on the same day.
“Home testing and home sampling kits are also available. If you are having sex with new or casual partners, you may be eligible for PrEP. This drug is free and stops HIV transmission during sex.”
The tests are offered in a variety of forms, with some even offering same-day results.
Symptoms of HIV include:
- Sore throat
- High temperature
- Swollen glands
- Muscle aches
- Tiredness
- Skin rash
The NHS acknowledges that these general symptoms can be triggered by a range of less serious and more common ailments too. However, many people may not experience other signs of HIV for years, leaving them entirely unaware that they have a life-threatening condition unless they seek testing, according to the NHS.
Places that offer HIV tests:
- A&E
- Some clinics run by charities such as the Terrence Higgins Trust
- Some family planning or contraception clinics, also known as sexual health clinics
- Some young people’s services
- Antenatal clinics
- Local drug dependency services
- Pharmacies that provide home testing kits
- Private clinics, where you’ll have to pay
More information on HIV testing can be found on the NHS website. Free, at-home tests can also be purchased online through the NHS’ HIV testing website, although this service is only available to those who meet the eligibility criteria.
The virus can be transmitted through vaginal, anal or oral sex and by sharing needles with someone who has HIV. If you believe you’ve been exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours, clinic staff or your local A&E should be able to offer you emergency medication which may prevent the infection from setting in.