Here you can find information on preventing HIV, Testing and managing HIV.
What is HIV?
HIV is a viral infection that attacks the body’s immune system. There’s no cure, but the right treatment can reduce your viral load and allow you to live a long and healthy life.
Once your viral load is undetectable, you cannot pass the virus on through sex. This is known as U=U or undetectable = untransmittable.
Early diagnosis and effective treatment mean that most people with HIV will not develop AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) or AIDS-related illnesses.
More information can be found here
Preventing HIV
- Condoms
If you need condoms, visit digital.thesexualhealthhub.co.uk/orders/condom-order/intro-condoms or call 0300 303 8565 to arrange pick up from a clinic.
PrEP Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a pill that reduces your risk of getting HIV. If you have a high enough level of PrEP in your system, it works to stop HIV from getting into your body and making copies of itself. For more information and how to access PrEP in Bury visit PrEP - Pre-exposure Prophylaxis | Sexual Health Hub
- PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis)
This is an emergency medicine that can prevent HIV. You need to start taking it within 3 days (72 hours) of being exposed to HIV for it to work effectively.
You can access PEP for free from your local sexual health clinic or A&E department. A nurse or doctor will assess your HIV risk to check if you are eligible.
PrEP and PEP are available within Oldham, Bury and Rochdale. Please contact us on 0300 303 8565 to book an appointment or alternatively attend one of our walk-in services.
Testing for HIV
HIV and syphilis test kits are available to people from certain areas in England. Depending on your eligibility there are 2 options for HIV testing.
Find out more information below:
Free HIV Kits for testing at Home | Freetesting HIV or
STI Test Kit Eligibility Checker | Sexual Health Hub