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Testing for HIV is quick, easy and painless. All it takes is a finger prick test which can be done at home, using a test kit which can be ordered online.
It is recommended that people get tested for HIV at least once a year, or more frequently if they’ve had unprotected sex or more than one partner.
Today, if someone tests positive early enough, effective treatment means they can live as long as anyone else.
Since October 2020, North Somerset Council has commissioned Unity Sexual Health to provide pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP.
PrEP helps prevent people who do not have HIV getting the virus by taking a pill every day or before and after likely exposure. It works by blocking the virus if it gets into the body, preventing infection.
Cllr Mike Bell, North Somerset Council’s Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Public Health, said: “Testing for HIV is quick, free and confidential. I’d urge everyone to have the test and know their status.
“Testing puts you in control. Test negative and you can end worries. Test positive and you can start treatment early.
“The sooner someone with HIV starts treatment, the better it is for their health. Medicine has come a long way in the last 40 years. Today someone with HIV can live as long as anyone else. Current treatments can also reduce the amount of the virus in your blood to undetectable levels which means you can’t pass on HIV. Testing puts you in control and is nothing to be feared.
“Most new HIV infections come from unprotected sex with someone who doesn’t know they have HIV so it’s still important to stay safe and protect ourselves. Together with condoms and prep, testing is a vital way to stop HIV.”
For support, advice and to order a home HIV test kit go to https://www.startswithme.org.uk.