50,000 gay and bisexual men are living with HIV in the UK

50,000 gay and bisexual men are living with HIV in the UK

Celebrities are urging for people to go get tested

BBC

Testing for HIV is today much quicker and easier than it was in the past

17 November 2016

by Joe Morgan

 

Over 50,000 gay and bisexual men are now living with HIV in the UK.

And according to new public health figures, around one in seven are unaware they have the virus.

The number of men who have sex with men newly diagnosed with HIV last year remained high at 3,320 new diagnoses.

National HIV Testing Week, from 18 – 25 November, is a campaign from HIV Prevention England.

Ian Green, Chief Executive of Terrence Higgins Trust, said:

‘These statistics show that National HIV Testing Week is needed more than ever. The HIV epidemic hasn’t gone away; there are still alarming and unacceptable rates of undiagnosed HIV and late diagnoses in the UK, even among men who have sex with men, a community where HIV awareness is higher than average.

‘People who have undiagnosed HIV face poorer health and are more likely to pass the virus onto others.

‘Meanwhile, men who have sex with men are still one of the hardest-hit communities for HIV in the UK, representing half of those living with HIV.

‘We already have a powerful tool that could help stop the epidemic in its tracks: the HIV test. People who know their status can get onto effective treatment, which stops the virus from being passed on.

Olly Alexander is urging people to get tested

‘But too many people are missing out on HIV tests and therefore this life-changing treatment – perhaps due to fear of the result, or the assumption that they’re not at risk.

‘As National HIV Testing Week approaches, we want to create a culture shift so that regular and routine testing becomes the norm.’

Celebrities are also urging people to go get tested this week.

 

Dr Christian Jessen, best known for appearing on Embarrassing Bodies, said:

‘I often find that people are really afraid of taking an HIV test – it can sound like a daunting prospect, but honestly it isn’t. Testing puts you in control.

‘Many people living with HIV do not know they have it – and are therefore likely to unwittingly pass on the virus. On the other hand, those who get a positive result and onto effective treatment can live a long and healthy life, and cannot pass on HIV to others. It’s a no brainer.

‘The challenge is now to bust the stigma that stops people getting tested in the first place. The sooner we can do that, the quicker we can stop HIV.’

 

And Years and Years singer Olly Alexander said:

‘Taking an HIV might test sound like something complicated or scary but it’s really not, I get tested regularly and these days testing is offered in lots of different settings – charities like Terrence Higgins Trust go out into bars, high streets and football matches to test people for HIV.

‘You can even test yourself, in the privacy of your own home. Whatever works best for you.

‘Gay and bisexual men are still one of the hardest-hit communities for HIV. Let’s look after ourselves and each other by getting tested regularly.’