As Monday 5th February marks the beginning of National HIV Testing Week, Margaret Mullane PPC is encouraging Dagenham and Rainham residents, especially those from groups most affected by HIV, to get tested.
Testing is quick, confidential and free, and can be done in several ways. You can test at a sexual health clinic, your GP, some sexual health community organisations, or even at home with a postal test, which can be ordered for free here: https://freetesting.hiv/
Groups most affected by HIV include gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, and heterosexuals of Black African ethnicity. It’s recommended you test for HIV at least once a year, and more regularly if you’ve had unprotected sex or more than one partner.
Testing is the only way to know if you have HIV, so there’s no better time to get tested and know your status. If you have HIV, finding out means you can start treatment and get support — which is free in the UK — and stay healthy.
Margaret said "I fully support the aims of the National HIV Testing Week campaign. The sooner individuals are tested, the sooner they can access treatments and we can stop the spread of this disease. For all those needing further support please see https://www.startswithme.org.uk/ "
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