HIV Testing and Care
What is HIV and AIDS?
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the immune system and weakens its ability to fight infections and disease.
AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is the final stage of HIV infection, when your body can no longer fight life-threatening infections such as cancer and pneumonia.
The most common way to get HIV is by having unprotected sex with someone who doesn’t know they have it.
With early diagnosis and effective treatment, most people with HIV will not develop AIDS. There is no cure for HIV, but there are treatments to enable most people who have the virus to live a long and healthy life.
How can I prevent getting HIV?
Here’s how you can protect yourself and others from HIV:
HIV Test, Treat, Protect
Condoms
The best way to prevent the spread of HIV is to use a condom when having sex and always use clean needles and other drug-taking equipment.
We offer a range of free condoms and lube; different sizes, textures and flavours through our discreet postal condom service for Derbyshire and Derby City residents.
PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis)
PrEP is medication (a tablet) that can be taken by people who do not currently have HIV but are at high risk due to various reasons. It will stop someone getting HIV during sex without a condom.
It is taken daily or on an ‘event’ basis before and after having sex. PrEP is highly effective at preventing HIV, when taken properly, but it does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or unplanned pregnancy.
PrEP is now available for free from sexual health clinics.
HIV Screening
Testing for HIV is free, fast and confidential – you can even do it at home.
It’s a good idea to test at least once a year (or more if you have unprotected sex with more than one partner).
HIV screening is a blood test. The sample is sent to a laboratory and the result is usually available within a few days. These tests can give a reliable result four to six weeks after exposure to the virus.
You can order a free and discreet HIV test online through the link below or book an appointment at a sexual health clinic or at your GP surgery.
As with all sexual health services online or face to face, your confidentiality it important to us.
For more information on what to expect from an HIV test, watch this video:
SH:24 blood test
Passing HIV on from mother to child can be prevented with use of effective treatment, which is why HIV testing is recommended for all pregnant women.
Treatment
If you have HIV, the sooner you start treatment, the better it is for your health – it protects you from illnesses which could shorten your life.
People on effective treatment cannot pass on HIV. That’s because HIV medication works by reducing the amount of the virus in the body to ‘undetectable’ levels. This means the levels of HIV are so low that the virus cannot be passed on. This is called having an ‘undetectable viral load’.
The specialist HIV teams in Derbyshire and Derby City will provide you with ongoing support and advice.
For more information, you can also visit the HIV guide from the Family Planning Association.
Who is at risk of getting HIV?
HIV can affect anyone, regardless of gender or sexual preference.
HIV is transmitted through blood and bodily fluids, such as semen and vaginal fluids, and can be transmitted from one person to another in the following ways:
- Through having unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected partner, including oral sex and sharing sex toys
- When contact is made with HIV infected blood in transfusions and needle-sharing
- As a baby of an HIV-infected mother, during pregnancy, labour or delivery, or through breastfeeding.
What are the benefits of an early HIV diagnosis?
Early diagnosis of HIV infection enables better treatment outcomes and reduces the risk of transmitting the infection to others.
If you have HIV and it’s not treated, it will eventually damage your immune system and you are likely to develop serious, life-threatening conditions. This could take 5-10 years, although this can happen more quickly in some cases.
If your HIV screening is positive – help and support is here for you. We will offer you a range of services and treatment. We will also introduce you to local support services you may find helpful.
Some people who have recently been infected with HIV may experience flu-like symptoms, including fever, rash, muscle-aches and swollen lymph nodes. These symptoms may occur a few weeks following infection but are not a reliable way to diagnose HIV. Many people experience no symptoms at all.
The only way to know if you have HIV, is to get tested.
If you are concerned about your sexual health and wellbeing, please contact our information and booking line on 0800 328 3383.
Is there anything I can do immediately after being exposed to HIV?
If you think you have been exposed to HIV following sexual contact, PEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis) is a course of drugs that can be taken to lower the chance of the HIV virus taking hold.
You will only be given the treatment if doctors decide that you’re at high risk of contracting HIV and it must be taken within 72 hours (ideally within the first 24 hours) of exposure, so it's important not to wait.
You can access PEP for free from sexual health clinics or if it’s ‘out of hours’ PEP can also be accessed from Emergency Departments:
Remember that PEP isn't guaranteed to work every time, so the best way to keep yourself safe and stop any chance of becoming infected with HIV is to use condoms and consider PrEP.
Condoms are the best way to reduce sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancy, and we offer a range of free condoms; different sizes, textures and flavours through our discreet postal condom service for Derbyshire and Derby City residents.