Walsall residents encouraged to get tested as part of National HIV Testing Week

Early diagnosis of HIV means that those living with it can access treatment which allows them to live as long as anyone else. Effective treatment can also stop people passing on HIV, when the amount of virus in the blood is reduced to undetectable levels.

Currently, there are 387 people in Walsall living with HIV. Walsall has a lower HIV testing rate and a higher proportion of people diagnosed late than the national average.

HIV Testing Week takes place every February to promote regular testing in England. The campaign also encourages people to be part of the generation that ends new transmissions by 2030 through early testing, treatment, condoms and PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis).

The good news is that testing is free, confidential, quick and easier than ever, and it can be done from the comfort of people’s homes. All it takes is a fingerpick and results are usually back within a week.

Regular testing offers benefits for everyone. Most people will get a negative result, meaning you can continue to take steps to protect yourself such as using a condom (which can help protect from unplanned pregnancies or other sexually transmitted infections) and using PrEP, if you are at higher risk, to reduce the risk of getting HIV.

Walsall residents can order a free kit by going to freetesting.hiv

Councillor Gary Flint, Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing at Walsall Council said: "National HIV Testing Week is an important opportunity for us to work towards ending new HIV cases by 2030 in England and we won’t be able to end new HIV transmissions without increasing the number of people coming forward to take a test.

“Most people contract HIV from someone who doesn’t know they have it and testing is the only way for people to learn their HIV status. HIV testing is free, confidential and easily available.

“If you get a negative result, you can continue to take steps to protect yourself, such as using condoms and using PrEP. Whatever happens, you can access treatment and support to ensure a long and healthy life. Once you’re on the right treatment and you have undetectable levels of the virus, it can’t be passed on to others.

“Our ambition is for Walsall residents to live healthy and well and I encourage residents to find out their status and order a test kit.”

To find out more about HIV testing, protection, treatment and other sexual health advice go to:  startswithme.org.uk.

For free and confidential advice on looking after your sexual health, testing or to book an appointment, contact Walsall Integrated Sexual Health. Visit walsallsexualhealth.nhs.uk or call 01922 270400