Health and wellbeing
Walsall residents encouraged to get tested as part of National HIV Testing Week
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Walsall Council is encouraging all residents to know their status by ordering a free HIV test kit as National HIV Testing Week takes place from 10 to 16 February 2025.
Early diagnosis of HIV means that those living with it can access treatment which allows them to live as long as anyone else. Effective treatment can also stop people passing on HIV, when the amount of virus in the blood is reduced to undetectable levels.
Currently, there are 387 people in Walsall living with HIV. Walsall has a lower HIV testing rate and a higher proportion of people diagnosed late than the national average.
HIV Testing Week takes place every February to promote regular testing in England. The campaign also encourages people to be part of the generation that ends new transmissions by 2030 through early testing, treatment, condoms and PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis).
The good news is that testing is free, confidential, quick and easier than ever, and it can be done from the comfort of people’s homes. All it takes is a fingerpick and results are usually back within a week.
Regular testing offers benefits for everyone. Most people will get a negative result, meaning they can continue to take steps to protect themselves such as using a condom (which can help protect from unplanned pregnancies or other sexually transmitted infections) and using PrEP, if at higher risk, to reduce the risk of getting HIV.
Walsall residents can order a free kit by going to https://freetesting.hiv
“ National HIV Testing Week is an important opportunity for us to work towards ending new HIV cases by 2030 in England and we won’t be able to end new HIV transmissions without increasing the number of people coming forward to take a test.
Most people contract HIV from someone who doesn’t know they have it and testing is the only way for people to learn their HIV status. HIV testing is free, confidential and easily available.
If you get a negative result, you can continue to take steps to protect yourself, such as using condoms and using PrEP. Whatever happens, you can access treatment and support to ensure a long and healthy life. Once you’re on the right treatment and you have undetectable levels of the virus, it can’t be passed on to others.
Our ambition is for Walsall residents to live healthy and well and I encourage residents to find out their status and order a test kit. “
To find out more about HIV testing, protection, treatment and other sexual health advice visit the Starts With Me website.
For free and confidential advice on looking after your sexual health, testing or to book an appointment, contact Walsall Integrated Sexual Health. Visit the Walsall Sexual Health website or call 01922 270400.
ENDS
Notes to editor:
- HIV stands for ‘human immunodeficiency virus’. It is an infection caused by a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. In the UK, it is most commonly transmitted by having anal or vaginal sex without a condom. Information about HIV is available on the NHS website.
- HIV testing is offered to everybody as part of a sexual health screen. Staff will be able to talk through any concerns that you may have.
- Further advice and guidance, including ordering a free home test kit is available at startswithme.org.uk
