HIV testing week: 10-16 February

Posted by: Hardy Fox - Posted on:

HIV testing week: 10-16 February

South-East London has the highest prevalence of HIV in the UK – 8 cases per 1000 people across the whole SEL footprint. 

As part of national HIV Testing Week, events are taking place to raise awareness about HIV prevention and offer point of care HIV testing. Please promote these events by displaying the posters attached, in your practices including reception, waiting rooms and clinical areas:

Primary care plays a key role in the fight against HIV. HIV testing is a fundamental part of HIV prevention. 

Please consider requesting an HIV test for anyone over the age of 16 who needs a blood test during NTWH (and beyond).

In addition, please see some helpful reminders below:

5 REMINDERS OF WHEN TO TEST FOR HIV:

There are lots of reasons for clinicians to do an HIV test and knowing about indicator conditions can help you to think about HIV. This list can be extensive – here are six key messages to get you thinking about doing HIV tests in your clinical practice:

  1. Worried about possible immunosuppression? ….DO AN HIV TESTOften HIV infection is the great mimic and presents like lots of other conditions. If the patient has weight loss / sweats or other signs that make you worried there is something underlying going on, add in an HIV test to your investigations.
  2. Worried about possible malignancy? DO AN HIV TESTPeople living with HIV can often be presented with systemic symptoms. HIV tests are now included in some RDC pathways and can be associated with a variety of malignancies, so if you are thinking of doing a 2WW, add in an HIV test. Produced by Terrence Higgins Trust for . To be part of the generation that stops HIV
  3. A few common illnesses back-to-back? DO AN HIV TESTOften patients with undiagnosed HIV can have a few common illnesses such as shingles, pneumonia and diarrhoea which on their own might not cause any concern. But if an otherwise well patient has had a few illnesses back-to-back, do an HIV test
  4. Symptoms taking longer to resolve than expected? DO AN HIV TEST

Due to the effect on the immune system, people living with HIV can present symptoms that take longer than expected to resolve such as flu like illnesses or ongoing diarrhoea. If your patient is taking longer than you thought to get better, do an HIV test.

  1. Slightly abnormal FBC or LFTs? DO AN HIV TEST (AND ALSO HEPATITIS B AND C SEROLOGY) It is common for people living with HIV( and hepatitis B and C) to have mild abnormalities on their blood results, and changes to their full blood count and liver tests. So if you have some changes and you aren’t sure why, add in these tests.
  1. Raised globulin?  DO AN HIV TEST (AND ALSO HEPATITIS B AND C SEROLOGY)It is common for people living with HIV, Hepatitis B and C to have a raised globulin – even just mildly elevated

OTHER KEY COMPONENTS OF HIV PREVENTION (doitlondon.org):

  1. PRE-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS (PrEP):

   A key component of HIV prevention, PrEP can be given to someone who does not have  

   HIV to prevent the risk of HIV infection. It can be around 99 % effective at reducing HIV

   Transmission from sexual intercourse. At present PrEP is only available through sexual

   health services. Uptake in PrEP amongst women remains poor. GPs, practice nurses and

   other primary care staff can play a key role in promoting PreP by providing the following:

PrEP information leaflets: i-base.info/uk-guide-to-prep-february-2024/

2. ANTI-RETRIVIRAL THERAPY & U=U:

Undetectable = Untransmittable:

This is a game changing concept for people living with HIV. It is vital to inform patients that people living with HIV who are on effective treatment, with an undetectable viral load, cannot transmit HIV to their sexual partners.

Support Services:

Ensure patients with HIV are linked to specialist HIV care and support services, including mental health, peer support, and social care if needed:

www.tht.org.uk

www.metrocharity.org.uk

3.CONDOMS:

   As has always been the case, condoms remain a crucial method to protect against HIV

   and other STIs. The following are free condom schemes:

          www.icash.nhs.uk/contraception-sexual-health/c-card-scheme

www.sexualhealthbromley.co.uk/contraception/free-condoms/wisdom

4.REDUCING STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION:

  Stigma remains a significant barrier to testing and care. Encourage open, non- 

  judgmental discussions with patients.

Sign up for the free HIV confident training package to become an “HIV confident” organisation:

www.hivconfident.org.uk/i-am-an-organisation