National HIV Testing Week 7-13 February 2022

National HIV Testing Week is a campaign to promote regular testing among the most-affected population groups in England. Regular testing helps to reduce the number of people living with undiagnosed HIV and those diagnosed late.

Testing for HIV is quick and easy, all it takes is a finger-prick test.

Get Tested – There are many ways to test:

• Order a test online – This test can also test for the sexually transmitted infection syphilis
• bSHaW sexual health clinics – Call 0300 303 2880 to book an appointment to get tested.

Read more about testing It Starts With Me

Why National HIV Testing Week 2022 is important

The number of people diagnosed with HIV fell by a third between 2019 and 2020, but there is still work to do:

• 1 in 20 people with HIV are unaware they have it, increasing the risk of passing HIV on to sexual partners.
• In 2020, 42% of people first diagnosed in England were diagnosed late. This correlates to poorer long-term health outcomes; in 2019, people diagnosed late had more than a sevenfold increased risk of death within a year of diagnosis.
• The number of people testing for HIV in sexual health clinics decreased by 30% in 2020. It is important to remind people at risk of HIV the importance of regular testing and the options available.

Testing is the only way to know your HIV status

• People can live with HIV for a long time without any symptoms.
• If you have HIV, finding out means you can start treatment, stay healthy and avoid passing the virus on to anyone else.
• Anyone diagnosed with HIV in the UK can access free treatment and support.