Raising awareness for World Aids Day

The Terrence Higgins Trust has been challenging the stigma around HIV and Aids for 30 years. Photo credit Nicky Rowbottom

Red ribbons are to take over the city centre for Terrence Higgins Trust‘s Safe Sex Roadshow, which will offer support and advice for World Aids Day.

On 29 November the charity will be appearing at a number of bars and clubs including Pulse and Wow Bar, supplying information about HIV and Aids and handing out condoms.

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It is estimated that there are over 90,000 people over the age of 15 living with HIV in the UK according to the Health Protection Agency’s HIV in the United Kingdom: 2012 Report however around a quarter of people living with HIV are undiagnosed.

“World Aids day is set up to remember those we’ve lost through HIV,” said support services manager Joshua Hall “But also to appreciate those who are living with HIV and the stigma that they are facing as well and the fact that HIV really affects everybody.”

World Aids Day runs annually on 1 December.

Photo credit Seema Krishnakumar

HIV or Aids?

Commonly used incorrectly HIV cannot be substituted by the Aids virus.

HIV or the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, attacks the body’s immune system. HIV can be accurately detected in blood tests four weeks after exposure.

AIDS, or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, will be recognised when the immune system of a person living with HIV can no longer fight infections and diseases. However with early diagnosis and treatment, most people living with HIV do not develop Aids.

Facts about HIV

As part of World Aids Day the Nation Aids Trust are encouraging the public to tweet using five key facts about living with HIV using the hashtag #FactUp to spread information about living with HIV in 2013

1. That people living with HIV live a normal life span if diagnosed and treated in time

2. There is no job which someone cannot do specifically because they have HIV

3. Treatment can mean that people living with HIV are no longer infectious

4. Men and women living with HIV can still become parents of a HIV-free baby

5. But people living with HIV still face stigma and discrimination.

HIV Test kit. Photo credit: Raj Teneja

Getting Tested

If you think there’s a chance that you may have been infected it’s important to get diagnosed as quickly as possible.

You can take a HIV test at most primary care facilities the Terrence Higgins Trust and GUM clinics across Wales.

Most commonly a small sample of blood will be taken, or in some cases salvia can be used. The test then checks for antibodies made by the body to fight HIV and antigens produced by it.

If you need information about HIV testing, contact your GP.

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