HIV – or human immunodeficiency virus - is a virus that attacks the immune system and reduces the body’s ability to respond to infections.
Anyone can get HIV, regardless of your gender or sexual orientation. It’s a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can be passed on through unprotected sex with someone who has HIV.
You can also get the virus if you come into contact with infected blood, such as through sharing needles or injecting drugs or steroids.
The best way to protect yourself against HIV is to always use a condom during sex.
At Embrace we provide testing, treatment and support for people who are diagnosed with HIV.
Watch our video to find out more about testing and treatment for HIV
Not everyone with HIV has symptoms. Some people may have a flu-like illness two to six weeks after infection and then no further symptoms for several years.
It’s therefore vital that you get tested as soon as possible if you think you might be at risk of HIV. The earlier HIV is detected, the more likely it is that treatment will be successful.
We offer all patients the opportunity to be tested for HIV, which involves a blood test. It’s quick and easy and you can do it at home.
If you would prefer to come to a clinic for a test, call 01902 444444.
Although there’s no cure for HIV, treatment is now very effective, enabling you to live a long and healthy life.
If you test positive for HIV, we will refer you to a specialist HIV clinic where doctors will start you on antiretroviral (anti HIV) treatment as soon as possible. This usually involves taking one or two pills a day.
Embrace offers patients living with HIV a full range of care and support.
If you feel that you’re at risk of HIV, then call us on 01902 444444 to discuss your options.
You may be able to take PrEP – an anti-HIV drug (tablet) that can stop you getting HIV during sex without a condom. This can be taken daily or just before or after you have sex.
PrEP is available for free from Embrace but requires a health check-up first to make sure that it’s right for you.
When taken properly, PrEP is highly effective but does not prevent pregnancy or getting STIs. It’s therefore still important that you still get regularly tested for STIs.
PrEP is available for free from Embrace but requires a health check-up first to make sure that it’s right for you.
It can be recommended for people who have a greater risk of HIV, for example if:
- You’re a man who has sex with men
- You’re a trans man or woman
- Your partner is from a part of the world where the rate of HIV is much higher
- You have a HIV positive partner who does not have an undetectable viral load
- You don’t always use condoms for sex
PrEP may be particularly advisable if:
- You’re a man who has sex with men and has recently had an STI (particularly in the rectum/anus)
- You have used PEPSE
- You use chem sex drugs
Call us on 01902 444444 to discuss your options.
If you think you may be at risk of HIV following sexual contact, you may be able to take PEPSE (sometimes known as PEP) to stop the virus taking hold.
PEPSE, which stands for Post Exposure Prophylaxis, is a course of drugs that must be taken as soon as possible and no later than 72 hours (3 days) after sex.
Call us on 01902 444444 and we will arrange an emergency appointment with one of our doctors. This will involve a HIV test plus blood tests to check your liver and kidney function and make sure that PEPSE is right for you. You would then be closely monitored during treatment.
Please be aware that there are no guarantees that PEPSE will work and it should only be treated as a last resort. Always wear a condom during sex to prevent getting HIV and other STIs.
If you’ve had sex without a condom or if it broke during sex, you may be able to use PEPSE.
If you feel that you’re at risk of HIV, then call us on 01902 444444 to discuss your options.
People are being reminded of the importance of regular testing as National HIV Testing Week gets underway.
Run by HIV Prevention England, the annual event highlights how regular testing is helping to reduce the number of people living with undiagnosed HIV, or who are diagnosed late.
Testing is free, quick and confidential, and the only way for people to know their HIV status. Anyone diagnosed with HIV will be able to access free treatment and support. Testing for HIV is also useful for HIV-negative people who are considering interventions such as PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis).
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, said: "Testing has a key part to play in our efforts to stop HIV, and it’s a good idea to get tested once a year.
“People can live with HIV for a long time without any symptoms, and an estimated 4,700 people are currently living with undiagnosed HIV in England.
"If you have HIV, finding out means you can start treatment, stay healthy and avoid passing the virus onto anyone else. There are many ways to test – at a sexual health clinic, your GP or by ordering a test online, so please take up the offer this National HIV Testing Week."
Dr Prita Banerjee, Consultant/Clinical Director in Sexual Health and HIV at Embrace, added: “It’s time we made every effort to end the stigma around HIV and normalised HIV testing for everyone!”