Over a quarter of people with HIV don’t know they have it and one in five gay men with HIV are diagnosed late. As a result, this World AIDS Day, Terrence Higgins Trust is urging gay men to get tested for HIV and to take a test on a regular basis.
Here’s one man’s experience of taking the test and finding out he had HIV. James, aged 25, was diagnosed about four months ago:
“I regularly took tests for sexually transmitted infections and my HIV test had always been clear. Around last June, I’d had some symptoms which worried me a bit, a rash and swollen glands. I knew that these were typical of seroconversion, an illness which occurs in many people not long after they have been infected with HIV. I was worried about it, but at the same time, didn’t want to think about it. I ended up delaying taking another HIV test for about a month afterwards.
"Eventually I decided I had to know one way or another. I was in a relationship with someone and didn’t want to put him at risk in any way so I decided to bite the bullet.
"On the day, I tried to put the worries to the back of my mind and just treat it like any other clinic visit. I had the full sexual health check as usual and they took some blood to test for HIV. Afterwards, when I left the clinic, I deliberately didn’t think too much about it. There was no point in worrying about something which might never happen.
"Less than a week later, I got a call in the evening from the clinic asking me to go in the next day to discuss my results. Although I knew it was probably HIV, I tried to convince myself it was chlamydia or some other STI.
"Once I was at the clinic, I hardly even got a chance to sit down before the nurse said they’d had my HIV test results back. Obviously, that was it, I knew it was bad news.
"I was in the clinic for about two hours with a sexual health advisor just talking everything through. She went though all the latest medical advice and statistics. I already knew HIV isn’t the death sentence it once was, but it was encouraging to hear that with current treatments, many people live long, otherwise healthy lives.
"I was sent away with various information booklets and helpline numbers in case I wanted to talk to someone. I was also given an appointment with a specialist HIV nurse within the week. When I came out of the clinic, I called my best friend straight away and went over to his. It was good to just talk it over with someone and get a bit of support.
"On my first visit to the specialist HIV clinic which I was referred to, I saw the HIV nurse who was really supportive, professional and warm. She was really understanding about all my concerns and it made all the difference.
"A few months on now and I’ve had time to let it sink in a bit. I’ve told some friends, all of whom have been reallly good about it and I’ve had no negative reactions at all. I know there’s still a lot of stigma out there though so you do have to be careful.
"Although I got bad news, I’m definitely pleased I took the HIV test. I can now keep a close eye on my health and will be able to go on to HIV treatment if my immune system becomes compromised. Some HIV treatments are just one tablet a day now as well, which makes the thought of going onto treatment one day less daunting.
"Even if you think you’ve always been careful, I’d still advise men to test for HIV and test regularly, as you can’t rely on an old result. If you find out you have the virus, you have the opportunity to take control and the best chance of good health and a long life.”
If you are thinking of taking a test visit betterclinics.co.uk The site provides more information about HIV testing and you can find your nearest clinic.