What is HIV?
HIV is a virus that spreads from one person to another through bodily fluids such as blood, semen and breast milk.
- The virus attacks the body's immune system and over time this damage to the immune system makes it harder and harder for the body to fight off infections and some other diseases.
- If you do not get treated, you can get very ill and even die, and you may pass on the virus to other people, particularly if you have sex without a condom.
- No cure exists for HIV. However, you can manage the disease by receiving regular medication which can improve your health and reduce the risk of passing on the virus.
- The aim of the medication called antiretroviral therapy (ART) is to make the level of HIV in the blood so low that it can't be detected by the tests used to measure it. When the virus is undetectable, you cannot pass it on and HIV is not able to damage your immune system.
- People who take ART regularly can now live almost as long as people without HIV.
HIV is a global problem. Those at particularly high risk of HIV infection are:
- men who have sex with men
- people of Black African ethnic origin
- people who share needles, syringes or other injecting equipment
In the UK, HIV is more common in people who have lived in countries where there is a high level of HIV such as sub-Saharan Africa.
There are many effective ways to prevent or reduce the risk of HIV infection. Speak to your local sexual health clinic or GP for further advice about the best way to decrease your risk. Further information about the signs, symptoms, treatment and prevention [https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hiv-and-aids].
HIV testing
The only way to know whether you have HIV is to get tested.
The earlier you have a test and find out if you have HIV the earlier you can start treatment that will help you live a long and healthy life. All services are confidential; we will not tell anyone you have had an HIV test. HIV testing and treatment is free for everyone living in Coventry.
Testing options
1. Self-test
You can order a free HIV test online [https://digital.thesexualhealthhub.co.uk/orders/sti-test-kit/home-address] to be sent to an address of your choice.
2. Pharmacy Testing
You can go to the following pharmacies to get a free HIV finger prick test that will indicate whether you have HIV in 60 seconds:
- Superdrug, 21-23 Market Way, Coventry City Centre, CV1 1DL
- Vantage Chemist, 130 Far Gosford Street, Lower Stoke, Coventry, CV1 5EA
- Wood End Pharmacy, 67 Deedmore Road, Coventry CV2 1AX
3. Testing at a Sexual Health Service
You can go to the Coventry and Warwickshire Sexual Health Hub [https://digital.thesexualhealthhub.co.uk/] which is based in the West Orchards Shopping Centre, Coventry, CV1 41QX. Other clinics are also based at:
- Swan Centre, Chapel Street, Rugby CV21 3EB
- 32 Bath Street, Leamington Spa CV31 3AE
- Bond House, Newdegate Street, Nuneaton CV11 4EU
Telephone the clinic for further information on 0300 247 0069 or you can also book an appointment with the Coventry and Warwickshire Sexual Health Hub [https://digital.thesexualhealthhub.co.uk/] [https://www.ishs.org.uk/]online.
HIV prevention
There are a number of effective ways to reduce your risk of transmitting or acquiring the HIV virus:
- Condoms should be used every time a person engages in unprotected sex to reduce the risk of HIV as well as sexually transmitted diseases (STD).
- Undetectable equals untransmissible (U=U) which means having an undetectable viral load stops the spread of the HIV virus with others. Someone living with HIV and is on effective treatment is therefore able to have sex without passing on the virus.
- PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a medication people at high risk of HIV can take to reduce the risk of HIV and can only be prescribed by a healthcare professional. For more information on PrEP , call 0300 020 0027 to make an appointment at the Integrated Sexual Health Service (ISHS).
- PEP (post exposure prophylaxis) is a medication that can be taken by those who feel they have been exposed to HIV through sex or injecting drug use and should be used in emergency situations only. The medicine helps to prevent HIV infection after the virus has entered a person’s body and must be taken as soon as possible within 72 hours of exposure. For more information on PEP, call 0300 020 0027 to make an appointment with ISHS. During out of hours, please contact NHS 111.
Further information
To learn more, watch this short video [https://youtu.be/SOLV5ep6B-I] explaining the medications available to prevent the spread of HIV or book an appointment at ISHS to speak with a healthcare professional.
It is important to note that PrEP Is not a vaccine against HIV and neither PrEP or PEP protects against other STDs for example chlamydia. Using a condom together with PreP/ PEP is recommended. For more information on how to access free condoms for those aged between 13-26yr olds, please visit the ISHS website [https://www.ishs.org.uk/c-card-and-chlamydia-screening].