To mark World Aids Day, the NHS in Southampton is working collaboratively with the gay community to raise awareness of HIV.

The gay community in the City are being invited to a number of events, where health professionals from Solent Healthcare, alongside trained community volunteers will be providing information on access to testing services and advice.

You may not have any symptoms, but you should still get tested, as you could go for months without showing any signs at all. The NHS offers free, confidential advice and testing.

To find a clinic near you visit www.protectyourself.nhs.uk/clinics The events will be running as follows: Wednesday 1 December, 8pm, The London Hotel, Oxford Street Friday 3 December, 7.30pm, Isobar St. Mary’s Saturday 4 December, 9pm, The Edge, St. Mary’s Monday 10 December, 8pm, Shots, St. Mary’s.

A recent report released by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) shows that the number of people living with HIV in the UK has reached an estimated 86,500.

However, a quarter of these people don’t know that they are living with the infection. Since 2000, there has been a 150% increase in the number of people being diagnosed in the southern counties of England area, so it has never been more important to get tested.

According to the HPA report, far too many people were testing too late, when they should already be receiving treatment.

“It can take up to three months for the body’s response to HIV to show up on the tests, but it is important to get advice and support and also to screen for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Early diagnosis means faster access to treatments, while late testing means that individuals carrying the virus could potentially unknowingly transmit it to other sexual partners. They also run the risk of developing further illnesses,” said Barry Alborough, Sexual Health Manager.

Get protected:

Andrew Mortimore, Public Health Director for NHS Southampton City and Southampton City Council said, “Practising safe sex and using condoms will reduce the risk to yourself and others. You can still catch an STI the first time you have unprotected sex.

There are a range of sexual health services across the City and we encourage people who are putting themselves at risk to have annual screens.”

Get smart:

Tackling the stigma associated with HIV continues to be important, Dan Stock, Gay Community Health Service Project Worker said, “We are also using these events, starting tomorrow, to combat the stigma HIV carries.

For most people HIV is a long-term, chronic illness, it is no longer a death sentence,”