Starting this weekend, on Saturday 19th November, it’s National HIV Testing Week! A campaign by HIV & AIDs charity, THT (Terrence Higgins Trust), HIV Testing Week aims to raise awareness of the virus, and encourages people to find out their status.
Now, we’re mostly about fun stuff here at QX – like Charli XCX’s hair, or the latest new sprayable cocktail. But every so often, it’s important to be a bit more serious. Nothing doom and gloom! Just a bit of matter-of-fact reality. So here we go. Get off Instagram for a second and LISTEN.
New HIV diagnoses are at their highest since the international epidemic that shocked the world in the late eighties. This is perhaps because it doesn’t particularly occur to people as a risk anymore. This could be down to several factors – lowered inhibitions from recreational drugs and things, the normalization of barebacking by the porn industry, and also the inexcusable lack of gay sex education in schools, which is practically zero.
That said, some people are fully informed of the risks, and take them anyway, in the knowledge that contracting HIV is no longer a death sentence. Fair enough, it’s your body and your life! But it’s still important to know your status, so that you can take the necessary steps and the necessary medications to live a long and happy existence.
A plus point, is that getting tested, and dealing with HIV if you have it, have never been easier. If you don’t fancy flipping through dog-eared copies of Elle in a GUM clinic waiting room, you can always send off for a home HIV testing kit, and do it yourself with a mate in the comfort of your own living room. If the result is positive, the NHS provides counseling services, and of course readily available, free medication to those who need it.
Here are some quotes from experts, as well as normal people, who are keen to emphasise the importance and effectiveness of HIV Testing Week.
Dr Michael Brady, Medical Director for Terrence Higgins Trust
“We know that one in six people living with HIV are undiagnosed. Testing puts you in control and, thanks to treatment, will stop you from getting seriously ill, enable you to live a normal lifespan and prevent you from passing the virus on to anyone else.”
Adam (on the cover) 29, actor
“People shouldn’t be scared to get tested because knowing you’ve got HIV is better than not knowing. At least that way you can get treated – and you are actually safer with someone who has HIV and is undetectable on treatment, than someone who’s status you don’t know.”
Steve (pictured, right) 30, flight attendant
“I always try and encourage my friends to get tested, and I get tested regularly, every couple of months. It’s really important that we all know our status and take steps to take care of ourselves. Now I take steps to protect myself – a small change can make a huge difference. Get tested and know your status.”
Dr Christian Jessen
“I’m a fervent champion of National HIV Testing Week. 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.
“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.”
• For more information on National HIV Testing Week, as well as ordering a free HIV postal test kit, head over to www.startswithme.org.uk