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Rapid
tests are usually reliable for long-standing infections, but are sometimes
unable to detect recent HIV infections...
From: Factsheets
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These
are the recommended tests for routine use in the UK.They
test for p24 antigen as well...
From: Factsheets
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Blood samples that you collect yourself and send
off for analysis are usually tested with fourth-generation laboratory assays. The method is expected to be extremely accurate,
although...
From: Factsheets
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Most devices for self-testing (home testing) are
modified versions of professional tests, with comparable sensitivity and
specificity.Self-tests are usually
reliable for long-standing infections,...
From: Factsheets
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The presence of antiretrovirals may suppress the
immune response and the production of antibodies.Rapid tests and self-tests should not be used to
confirm HIV infection in people...
From: Factsheets
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Tests always produce a small number of false
positive results.In settings where very few people have HIV, a
higher proportion of reactive results will be false positives.To...
From: Factsheets
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False negative results most often occur when
people test in the first few weeks after infection, during the ‘window period’.After this, they are extremely rare.
In most...
From: Factsheets
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Modern HIV tests are able to detect most
infections within a month of exposure.They can detect almost all infections within two
months.Fourth-generation laboratory tests have shorter
window periods...
From: Factsheets
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The sensitivity of a test is the percentage of results that will be correctly positive when HIV is actually present. Lower rates of sensitivity will...
From: Factsheets
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The risk of infection following a needlestick injury
is very low.There have been no definite cases of HIV
infection among healthcare workers following an occupational needlestick injury
in...
From: Factsheets
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Randomised studies of PEP have not been done, but experience suggests it
is effective in preventing HIV infection.PEP is most effective when it is started soon...
From: Factsheets
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Using condoms correctly will prevent them breaking, leaking or slipping off during sex.Use only water-based or silicone lubricants, not oil-based. If you lose your erection...
From: Factsheets
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Female condoms are
also known as internal condoms, and can be used for both vaginal and anal sex.
As they provide a
physical barrier, they are likely to...
From: Factsheets
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PEP involves taking a 28-day course of anti-HIV drugs, after
possible exposure to HIV.Doctors will assess your risk of HIV infection before
prescribing PEP.PEP is available from...
From: Factsheets
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In the UK the recommended first-line PEP medications of emtricitabine/tenofovir and raltegravir
are generally well tolerated by most people.Nonetheless, some people do have short-term problems with...
From: Factsheets
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When the blood of a person who has hepatitis C enters the bloodstream of another person, that person could get hepatitis C.Tiny and unseen traces...
From: The basics
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The sooner you know you have HIV, the sooner you can get the medical care you need. If you know you have HIV, you can...
From: The basics
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Many GPs offer services which are not available at your HIV clinic.To access a GP you must be registered as their patient.You don't have to...
From: Factsheets
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Condoms protect against HIV, other sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy.Both female and male condoms are available.It’s important to follow the advice on how to use...
From: Factsheets
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As you get older, your circumstances and your needs are
likely to change. While it’s hard to know exactly how life will be in a few
years’...
From: Booklets
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Hepatitis C is a blood-borne infection that
is transmitted in some of the same ways as HIV.Over time untreated hepatitis C...
From: Factsheets
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NAM's factsheet on home delivery of HIV treatment; who's eligible and how it works...
From: Factsheets
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To ensure they can give you the right care and treatment, it can be important to tell health professionals that you are living with HIV.There...
From: Factsheets
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You may find that a pill box, a phone alarm or a diary helps you with adherence.Adherence can be more challenging when travelling or when...
From: Factsheets
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Kaposi’s sarcoma remains one of the most common cancers in people living with HIV.HIV treatment protects against Kaposi’s sarcoma and slows down disease progression.People with...
From: Factsheets
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Problems with thinking and memory can have a wide range of causes.A healthy lifestyle lowers the risk of cognitive impairment in later life.Cognitive impairment caused...
From: Factsheets
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For women taking HIV treatment, the intrauterine
device (IUD) is the recommended method of emergency contraception.Women taking some anti-HIV drugs need to take a
double dose of...
From: Factsheets
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Your
choice of contraception will depend on your situation and preferences.There
are possible interactions between some hormonal contraceptives and some anti-HIV
drugs. Your HIV treatment needs to be...
From: Factsheets
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If a woman has
HIV, it is possible for it to be passed on to her baby during pregnancy or
delivery, or through breastfeeding. For this reason,...
From: Booklets
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Changes to your lifestyle can reduce your risk
of diabetes.Diabetes requires frequent monitoring and can
have serious consequences if left untreated.
Rates of diabetes are higher in people...
From: Factsheets
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Illnesses and drug side-effects can contribute to fatigue.People often report an increase in their energy levels after starting HIV treatment.A healthy balanced diet may help...
From: Factsheets
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It's important to always take your HIV treatment at the right times and in the right amounts. If you don't, HIV may become drug resistant.When...
From: The basics
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HIV testing in the UK is free, voluntary and confidential. You can be tested at an NHS sexual health clinic, a GP surgery or a...
From: The basics
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Hepatitis C can be passed on during sex that could lead to contact with semen, rectal mucus or blood.Many gay men with HIV have picked...
From: The basics
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Sleep is essential to physical and mental health.Anxiety, depression, drug or alcohol use, and illness can
contribute to sleep problems.Simple lifestyle changes may be enough to...
From: Factsheets
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A balanced diet will provide all the vitamins and minerals
most people need.Large doses of vitamin and mineral supplements can be
harmful.Several herbal remedies can interact dangerously...
From: Factsheets
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Travelling to a new time zone may affect when it’s best to
take your medication.If you have an undetectable viral load, taking one dose a
few hours...
From: Factsheets
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Exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle.Exercise has many physical benefits and can also improve mental health.It is recommended that adults do moderate...
From: Factsheets
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HIV tests are available in lots of healthcare settings. Home HIV testing is also available.Laboratory tests are the most accurate but rapid tests can be...
From: Factsheets
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This briefing paper provides an overview of pre-exposure
prophylaxis (PrEP) for people planning, commissioning or providing HIV
prevention activities in the UK. It does this by reviewing...
From: HIV prevention briefing papers
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Self-sampling and self-testing are new options for taking an HIV test.You don't need to see a doctor or nurse to use home testing kits.HIV tests...
From: Factsheets
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This briefing paper, produced by NAM for HIV Prevention England, provides an overview of HIV diagnostic tests for people planning, commissioning or providing HIV prevention...
From: HIV prevention briefing papers
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Sex, desire and pleasure need not stop when
you have an HIV diagnosis. Women continue to be sexually active and to have
fulfilling sexual and emotional relationships.
Many...
From: Booklets
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If you are ‘HIV positive’ this means that you have a virus
called HIV in your body. It doesn’t mean that you are ill, or that...
From: Booklets
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This briefing paper, produced by NAM for HIV Prevention England, describes the scientific
evidence for HIV treatment as prevention and considers its implications for the UK....
From: HIV prevention briefing papers
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Information on the
provision of NHS health care to non-UK citizens....
From: Social & legal issues for people with HIV
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A practical introduction to the evidence regarding the effectiveness of
non-biomedical HIV prevention methods....
From: Preventing HIV
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Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) has been in use, in healthcare settings, since
1988. Providing PEP after sexual exposure is more controversial....
From: Preventing HIV
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Pre-exposure prophylaxis is an experimental HIV-prevention strategy that would
use antiretrovirals (ARVs) to protect HIV-negative people from HIV infection....
From: Preventing HIV
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Microbicides are any substances which protect people against infection by
microbes, such as viruses or bacteria, on contact with those microbes....
From: Preventing HIV
Antiretroviral drug chartA one-page reference guide to the anti-HIV drugs licensed for use in the European Union, with information on formulation, dosing, key side-effects and food restrictions.
Your next stepsA booklet with information for people who’ve just found
out they have HIV.
Coming soon: news from IAS 2019 05 July 2019The 10th International AIDS Society
conference (IAS 2019) is being held...
Those who are not seen are not heard 01 July 2019A commentary on Optimising the Impact of Key Population Programming...
The fight for access to abortion care in Europe 27 June 2019Access to
sexual and reproductive health and rights includes safe and...