Testing Week & World Aids Day

European HIV and Hepatitis Testing Week is celebrated each year in late November, leading up to World AIDS Day on the 1^st of December.

By encouraging people to become aware of their HIV and/or hepatitis status as soon as possible, people living with HIV can live long healthy lives with early treatment; and those with hepatitis C can usually be cured. Tests for hepatitis C are easy, quick and painless. Treatments in Lanarkshire are simply explained in this short clip: Lanarkshire hepatitis C treatments video.

Testing week offers an opportunity for NHS Lanarkshire and partners to work together to increase awareness of the benefits of, and accessibility of testing. This helps people become knowledgeable about their risks, their status and understand that there are effective treatments available.

Testing is offered by NHS Lanarkshire across a number of sexual health clinics throughout Lanarkshire. You can also order a home self-sampling kit, which are bookable online via the Lanarkshire Sexual health website. These are free, confidential and easy to use. If you are eligible you can also order a free HIV self test online through Terrence Higgins Trust (THT). You can also seek testing for HIV through your GP.

The most recent report from Health Protection Scotland (HPS) shows that up until 31 December 2023, a total of 6761 people were recorded as being diagnosed and living with HIV in Scotland. It is estimated that there are around 500 people living in Scotland who have HIV but have not been diagnosed, making testing very important.

In 2023, 385 new HIV-positive results were recorded in Scotland and of these, 126 were first ever diagnoses and 259 had been previously diagnosed elsewhere but were newly reported in Scotland during this period. Of the 126 first ever new diagnoses recorded 62 (49%) were heterosexually acquired and therefore the largest proportion. 34 (27%) were among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. Among people who inject drugs, first ever diagnoses remains relatively low compared to other groups at risk.

Data from recent years in Scotland shows sexual intercourse between men and women acquired more first ever diagnoses than those among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (for the first time since 2007). Overall, HIV overall continues to disproportionately affect men who have sex with men, as well as individuals of black African ethnicity. However, HIV can affect anyone and there are still people who have HIV but don’t know it – making testing very important. It is estimated that there are around 500 people living in Scotland who have HIV but have not been diagnosed.

The red ribbon is the international symbol of AIDS awareness and has been in existence for over 20 years. It is a simple and powerful way to challenge stigma and prejudice around HIV and also shows support for people living with HIV. HIV positive individuals who are on effective treatment can become undetectable, meaning HIV cannot be transmitted to another person through sex. The message U = U (Undetectable = Untransmittable) demonstrates the huge steps forward in treatment. More information can be found on the “Can’t Pass It On” page on the THT website.

World AIDS Day is an opportunity for us to raise awareness with both staff and members of the public about HIV and AIDS and directly challenge and address associated stigma. A national campaign, developed by THT, focuses on the key message “stigma is more harmful than HIV”. Show your support for World AIDS Day – wear a red ribbon. To order a supply for free and find out about other resources and awareness raising activities, contact the BBV&SH Promotion Team on 0300 303 0216.