A CHARITY in Thames Valley has urged the public to take time to learn more about HIV ahead of World Aids Day.
Thames Valley Positive Support is encouraging residents to find out more about Human Immunodeficiency Virus in an effort to reduce rates of the disease and combat stigma which surrounds it.
The charity says that Berkshire’s major towns, Slough and Reading, have a higher prevalance of HIV than many major cities in the UK.
HIV is a virus which attacks cells in the immune system, leading to a weakened ability to fight infections and disease.
Severe damage by the virus leads to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, or AIDS, when a number of potentially life-threatening infections and illnesses set in as a result.
While there is no cure for HIV, there are many very effective treatments which allow those with the virus to live healthy lives, stop the development of AIDS, and prevent the transmission of the virus.
HIV is transmitted through bodily fluids, and often contracted through unprotected sex or sharing injecting equipment such as needles.
When a person is being treated with regular medication, they become ‘undetectable’, meaning they have very low levels of the virus in their blood.
This in turn means they can no longer transmit the virus to another person.
Testing is important for HIV because it can be present for a long time without any symptoms.
Testing is the only way to be certain of your HIV status, and means that those affected can begin treatment, stay healthy, and avoid passing it to others.
Sarah Macadam, CEO of TVPS, said “One of the reasons people living with HIV experience stigma is because there has been very little education about HIV and ‘U=U’.
“It stands for Undetectable equals Untransmitable–it means that if someone is taking HIV medication regularly the level of HIV antibodies in their blood stream is so low that they become undetectable so they cannot pass the virus onto anyone else.
“The U=U message is so important as this can literally halt the onward transmission of HIV.”
She continued: “We usually ask people to wear a red ribbon on World AIDS Day to show their support for people living with HIV, but this year we’re asking something even simpler.
“We want as many people as possible to be spreading the ‘U=U’ message this World AIDS Day, so tell your friends, your family, your colleagues, the man in the local shop, tell everyone.
“And of course you can wear the red ribbon as well.”
World Aids Day is observed on December 1
TVPS has been giving support to those affected by HIV in the Thames Valley area since 1985.
Community tests or postal orders can be booked by emailing test@tvps.org.uk.
They are also available by calling 0162 860 3400 or sending a Whatsapp message to 0772 728 9712
More information about Thames Valley Positive Support and its work via: www.tvps.org.uk
