This World AIDS Day (1st December 2009), the Health Improvement Team at NHS Halton and St Helens would like to get you thinking. Everyone has a current HIV status, however almost a third of people in the UK living with HIV do not know they are infected.
Ste is from St Helens and is currently receiving treatment for HIV:
“When talking about HIV, I can’t begin to tell you how scared I was at the simple worry of knowing the truth. Finally taking the brave step of visiting my local GUM Clinic has without a doubt saved my life, and I will be forever grateful.”
HIV is a viral infection which affects the immune system – the body’s natural defence against diseases. It is possible to treat HIV to reduce the effects of the infection; however there is still no known cure for it.
Most people with HIV are diagnosed in their 30s, with one in 10 being diagnosed between the ages of 16 to 24 years. Five percent of people are diagnosed over the age of 55.
Ste added:
“I wasn’t there for pity; I was there to face my fears. The support I’ve had from the staff at the clinic has been out of this world. I wasn’t a number or a stat to them, I was a real person and I can’t begin to thank them enough.”
“If you are unsure about your sexual health whether you’re straight or gay, then all I can say is don’t be afraid, get yourself checked.”
Halton and St Helens has a relatively low prevalence of HIV compared to neighbouring Cheshire and Merseyside. 82% of cases in Halton and St Helens are amongst men. The biggest risk group remains men who have sex with men (65.8%), although it should be noted nearly 29% of reported HIV cases are now from the heterosexual community.
When someone is described as living with HIV, they have the HIV virus in their body. A person is considered to have developed AIDS when they have HIV and at least one of a list of illnesses that are considered to be associated with AIDS.
Fiona Johnstone is Director of Public Health for NHS Halton and St Helens. She said:
“HIV has not gone away and it remains to be a concern for NHS Halton and St Helens. We are encouraging our local communities to find out about HIV, how it is passed on and how people can protect themselves from the virus.”
“World AIDS Day is an ideal opportunity for us all to learn more about how HIV can affect people and also find out more so that we can make informed choices about our own actions and our own health.”
The Health Improvement Team are working closely with partners to ensure that information is made available to the general public and health professionals to promote HIV awareness, and to challenge the stigma.
There will be information available through all local libraries across Halton and St Helens as well as in Clinics, GP surgeries and schools across the PCT.
Local Youth Services and Teenage Pregnancy Teams will be working with young people to help them understand the importance of making informed choices and knowing where they can go to get help and advice about all aspects of sexual health.
Outreach workers will be taking information out to the local communities and providing red ribbons and information so that people have the opportunity to ask questions and find out what HIV is all about.
Fiona Johnstone added:
“HIV does not discriminate. Everyone is potentially at risk of HIV. Understanding how HIV can be passed on and how it can be prevented is the key to protecting ourselves against this virus.”
“There is still no cure for HIV, and so we are encouraging our communities to find out how to protect themselves and we are also challenging the stigma that sadly still exists with HIV.
“Our staff and partners will be working hard to ensure information is made available to the public and we would hope that the work we continue to do will help to prevent the spread of HIV.”
Rapid testing is available through some GUM clinics to offer HIV results in little over 20 minutes. Free and confidential tests are available at GUM centres in Halton and St Helens all year round with the Fast Test being available at the St Helens GUM clinic.
Research shows public knowledge of HIV in the UK is declining and there is a worrying lack of understanding. This World AIDS Day, NHS Halton and St Helens is asking people once again to respect and protect themselves and others by understanding the true facts and reality of HIV in the UK. GUM clinics are open access which means you can go to any clinic anywhere in the country. If you are concerned about HIV and/ or other sexually transmitted infection you can visit NHS Halton and St Helens’ dedicated website www.getiton.org.uk for further information on clinics and other services.
HIV fact or HIV fiction?
You will die from HIV
HIV treatments have developed over recent years meaning that people living with HIV can live a full and healthy life. HIV does not mean that someone will die of their infection, however it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle as it is with anyone.
Getting your HIV results can take months
HIV test can now be carried out quickly with some centres like the GUM clinic in St Helens offering a Fast Test where results will be known within half an hour.
Only gay men get HIV
No. There are many heterosexual people living with HIV in the UK and a third of people living with HIV are women. Anyone who has sex without a condom or share needles when injecting drugs is at risk of infection.
HIV is no longer an issue in the UK
More people than ever are living with HIV in the UK. It is vital the message of ‘Respect and Protect’ continues as the number of people being diagnosed with HIV is growing each year.
There are no symptoms of HIV
People do not usually show symptoms of HIV infection until after many years of living with the virus. Some people report having “flu like” symptoms within a month or two of becoming infected which last up to two weeks. However, few people seek investigation for these symptoms and often go undiagnosed for, in some cases, years.
What about confidentiality?
The majority of screening takes place at a local genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic. These clinics are legally bound to not reveal personal details and test results and so all notes and records held by any GUM department are completely confidential.
For further advice and information on HIV and sexual health you can contact:
Halton GUM Clinic – 01928 753217
National Sexual Health Line – 0800 567123
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