Kirklees Together

HIV Testing Week 2018 starts on 17 November and we’re encouraging people in Kirklees to have a test if they’ve not recently had one.

If you live locally, the place to get tested is The Brunswick Centre in Huddersfield (01484 469691) and/or Locala Sexual Health who are based at Huddersfield Princess Royal Health Centre and Dewsbury Health Centre.  They do quick testing in a number of different places or you can make an appointment. It’s free, confidential and for everyone – but you need to age 16 or over. For HIV Testing Week they are running extra sessions, details are at the bottom of this article.

The NHS tell us that certain groups of people are at particular high risk of HIV and are advised to have regular tests, these include men who have sex with men, black African men and women, and people who share needles and other injecting equipment. People who are sexual partners with people from these groups may also be at increased risk of HIV.

If you’re wondering ‘do I need an HIV test?’ then read these 5 reasons to get tested, as shared by the Terrence Higgins Trust.

Be sure of your status

Testing is the only way to know for sure if you have HIV or not. People sometimes live for years, unaware that they have it. If you’ve never been tested, or it’s been more than a year since your last test, it’s a good idea to have one. If you’re sexually active, yearly testing is recommended, or more often if you have unprotected sex with more than one partner.

If you’re worried you’ve taken risks, a test can put your mind at ease and end the worries.

Testing is easy, free and confidential

Having a test can be as simple as a finger-prick test at the Brunswick Centre.  If the result is positive for HIV you will be referred to the sexual health clinic for a confirmatory test. You can also test for HIV in the sexual health clinics named above, your GP or even in your own home by ordering a home testing kit.

Take control of your health and stay well

If the test result is negative, you can take action to keep it that way. If it is positive, you can get treatment that keeps you healthy and prevents serious illnesses. When you are on effective treatment you will not pass on HIV.  When people are tested and diagnosed late, their chance of survival  is drastically reduced and can lead to death. There is more information about HIV treatment to help you stay well on the i-base website.

Keep you and your partner healthy

If you don’t know you have HIV, you can’t take any steps to prevent passing it on to your partner – like getting treatment, using condoms or finding out about PrEP (a type of medication). If you think you may have exposed yourself to HIV within a 3 day period, you can access PEP in Kirklees.

Get the treatment and support you need

In the UK, HIV medication and medical care is free. If you have HIV, the sooner you start treatment, the better it is for your health. Taking HIV medication as prescribed and getting an undetectable viral load means you can’t pass on HIV to your partner, even without a condom. If you test positive, there’s a wealth of information and support to help you live well with HIV.

HIV Testing and information sessions for Kirklees and Calderdale during HIV Testing Week 2018

DATE AND TIME	EVENT	WHERE
19.11.18 1pm to 2.30pm	HIV Awareness	Junction 25 (M62)
19.11.18 6pm to 8pm	Late PoCT	Brunswick Halifax Office
20.11.18 12noon to 2pm	HIV awareness and PoCT	St Augustine’s (Halifax)
20.11.18 7.30pm to 9pm	HIV awareness and PoCT	HuGG (Huddersfield)
20.11.18 9pm to 11pm	HIV awareness promotion	Kings Bar LGBT night Huddersfield
21.11.18 2pm to 4pm	HIV awareness and PoCT	Plastic Ivy Sauna (Dewsbury)
21.11.18 5.30pm to 8pm	HIV Awareness and testing	IDENTITY group Halifax
22.11.18 12noon to 2pm	HIV awareness and testing	Huddersfield Mission
22.11.18 3.30pm to 5.30pm	HIV awareness	Huddersfield Train Station
23.11.18 12 noon to 2pm	HIV awareness and testing	Empire Cinema (Huddersfield)
23.11.18 7.30pm to 10.30pm	HIV awareness	LGBT Village Bar Halifax
24.11.18 9.30 to 12.30	HIV awareness and testing	The Gathering Food Bank Halifax