HIV Testing Week

[HIVpos]

It’s HIV Testing Week this week. Although I’ve seen loads of promotion of it due to following HIV-related stuff on social media – eg mentioned in the news, on Steph’s Packed Lunch, on Twitter and on billboards in some main cities, my friends hadn’t heard anything about it. So I thought I’d post here.

There are a few thousand people living unknowingly with HIV in the UK and many are diagnosed at a late stage. The government and many HIV charities are committed to having no new HIV transmissions by 2030 (can you imagine!!) however for this to happen we need to find those unaware of their status. Once they know they can go on treatment which suppresses the virus so it can’t be passed on to anyone else – plus it stops us getting poorly!

Naomi’s story in the attached article was similar to mine – out of a long-term relationship, menopausal, started dating again and contracted HIV. In my case, when I went to the clinic after the relationship finished (setting a good example to my kids to get tested for STIs) although I was asked - twice - if I wanted the HIV test and told what low risk I was thankfully I pushed to have it. So in my case it was caught early on. www.cheshire-live.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/cheshire-mum-living-hiv-warns-26189961

Although postal tests can be ordered at any time, testing week makes it even easier to order one, either using a test sent off to the lab with results by text or with a home test using a drop of blood giving results almost immediately. There is more information with a link to order below for anyone interested. Please do also share this with anyone else who should maybe get a test. www.startswithme.org.uk

Bumping. Really good to share awareness, thank you.

Also bumping, such an important message, and I've seen no advertising at all!

Thank you for sharing.

Bumping for you. Really important message.

Thanks for sharing

Brilliant. What a fantastic aim from our Govt! Yes, I am surprised. Ordering for me and grown up sons. Thanks for posting, I has not heard anything about it.

Bumping as this is so important. KOKO OP ❤️

Thanks for raising awareness, OP

Things have changed so much since the 1980s. I was part of a team who volunteered to provide pre and post test counselling ( actually saying you thought you required a test could affect your chances of getting insurance and or a mortgage) and then we cared for folk with HIV in their homes. I was a nurse and I made sure patients with HIV were treated with love and compassion in our local hospital.

Thanks for posting, OP. This is really important.

I came of age in the mid-80s and am also a huge fan of the Tales of the City series so HIV infection was burned into my consciousness as a possible consequence of sexual activity and, back then, a deadly one.

And fans of the Tales of the City series of books might be interested to know (if they don’t already) that Armistead Maupin has written books 7-9. He’d stopped at Book 6 because at that time Mouse’s story appeared to have only one end. About 15 years later, he realised that wasn’t necessarily the case and Mouse became one of the first survivors.

Bumping, thanks for raising awareness.

That must have been tough for you and I'm sure those you supported were really grateful. It can't have been an easy time - I was actually travelling in other countries then and although aware of HIV and AIDS I never thought it would be relevant to me personally.

Regarding insurance, things have changed though could be quicker. My travel insurance for a trip abroad this summer costs the same whether with or without having HIV. I also recently took out life insurance. Although more expensive due to HIV the underwriters actually wanted to knock it back due to a positive smear test till my broker proved I didn't meet the criteria for this to happen.

I recently was reluctantly tested (reluctantly due to my own risk assessment) and was negative.

Symptoms attributed to my current health led to it being suggested.

The stigma associated with HIV needs addressing as there are innocent people put their who unknowingly may have it.