This resource includes everything you need to know, whether you’re HIV positive, you might be at risk for HIV or you’re an ally looking to become more informed on the past, present and future of HIV.
If you are worried you have recently contracted HIV, please contact your local Sexual Health provider immediately.
As it stands, the UK government has all of the medical resources to make hte UK the first country to stop the onward transmission of HIV by 2030. The Terrence Higgins Trust released a report 'Getting On Track' in November 2024 which details a roadmap to this goal.
As awareness has grown, testing has increased and the hugely successful opt-out HIV testing in hospitals across hte UK has been even more successful than initially predicted. Between 2022 and 2023 the HIV testing rate in the UK rose by 11%.
However, there are still an estimated 18,000 people in the UK with undiagnosed HIV or diangnosed but untreated HIV living in the UK. HIV stigma remains a huge challenge across all communities in the UK and globally, and breaking that stigma is a great step towards ending HIV for good.
PrEP has been a huge help in reducing HIV transmissions thanks to its integration with NHS services. In 2023, 75% of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) that were identified to have a PrEP need were initiated or continued PrEP.
If you were to contract HIV, you will still be able to live a perfectly healthy and long life - as long as you identify it early by getting regular testing. We have come a long way since the AIDS Pandemic of the 80’s!
After contracting HIV, you may be asymptomatic from 2 months to around 3 years, which is why it is so important to get tested regularly, even if you are in a monogamous relationship or not sexually active.
Anyone! Although HIV was labelled as a ‘Gay’ disease, LGBTQ+ people are in no way at higher risk of inherently contracting the disease.
Who you are having sex with, or indeed your sexuality doesn’t determine your chances. If you have unprotected sex, you could expose yourself and/or your sexual partner to HIV, among other sexually transmitted infections.
Other than unprotected sex, HIV can be contracted through birth or breastfeeding, and other body fluids (yes, semen!). The chances of transmitting HIV via sharing needles is very low, though it is still recommended to seek urgent treatment if you share a needle with someone. You cannot transmit HIV via spit, toilet seats or just being in the same room as someone (with no physical contact), so the chances are very low in the workplace.
We recommend having protected sex with all sexual partners, especially if you do not know their HIV status. Even if you are on PrEP, you should continue to get tested every three months or with every new sexual partner, as it does not reduce transmission of other STI's.
There are also a number of Charities and Organisations that work all year-round to support those living with HIV and those at risk, such as George House Trust, LGBT Foundation, Terrence Higgins Trust and more.
HIV in the UK is a very different picture to what it once was. Rev. Jide Macauley, a HIV-positive pastor, talks about what it's like to live with HIV in the modern world, and what tools people have to protect themselves from HIV.
In Greater Manchester, we are fortunate to have easy access to HIV testing. Northern Sexual Health are able to send out HIV Testing kits to your address where you can administer them at home and track and access your results via an online portal.
HIV tests are available from a range of other free services.
Several studies have proven that when a HIV positive person is on effective treatment, it lowers the level of HIV (the viral load) in the blood. When the levels are below the threshold of detectability, HIV cannot be passed on sexually.
The studies included thousands of heterosexual and gay couples in which one partner had HIV and the other did not. Over the course of the studies, they found that there was not a single HIV transmission from an HIV-positive partner who had an undetectable viral load.
Although condoms are not required to prevent HIV transmission from a HIV positive person, it is still important to use sexual protection with partners, as there is still risk of other infections.
Knowing your HIV status is important because it means that you can start the treatment which will keep you well and healthy. For most people, HIV medication is something they take once a day, and is more effective than it’s ever been. It quickly brings the virus under control so that it becomes undetectable (Remember: U=U).
George House Trust, Greater Manchester’s HIV support organisation, can provide you with advice, information and support as well as counselling and Peer Mentoring – matching you with a trained volunteer who’s also living with HIV and can offer you support.
There’s no right or wrong way to feel after you’ve been told that you’re living with HIV – but, however you’re feeling, remember that it’s better to know.
Visit George House Trust for more information
Be respectful! Someone may have told you they are HIV Positive for several reasons - if they are a friend or family member it’s likely they trust you and wanted to disclose this information. It’s important to let them lead the conversation, and not ask too many personal questions such as ‘how’ they contracted the virus.
