Drop-in HIV tests are being offered at the General Hospital for National HIV Testing Day (27 June).

People are being encouraged to 'Take the Test to Take the Next Step' today.

Drop-in HIV tests are available at the GUM clinic at the General Hospital without an appointment between 8am - 4pm.

Nationally, diagnoses of HIV are rising following years of decline.

Professionals are encouraging people to get tested at least once as part of their routine healthcare.

“HIV does not discriminate and can affect anyone. The only way to know if someone has HIV is to get tested. I really want to encourage Islanders to prioritise self-care this National HIV Testing Day and visit the Sexual Health department for HIV testing."

Knowing one’s status, empowers them to engage in our healthcare prevention and treatment services, to live healthy lives, regardless of their status.

Testing is critical in helping end the HI epidemic and gives individuals and communities the ability to promote health and prevent disease.

“I want to ask my health professional colleagues to discuss HIV testing with Islanders in their care and offer testing to those who don’t know their status. We all have an opportunity to be part of a generation that stops HIV and normalise testing.” - Dr Rajesh Hembrom, Consultant in Sexual Health, HIV and Viral Hepatitis.

HIV can be transmitted from one person to another by:

• Unprotected sex

• Sharing needles

• Transmission from mother to baby during pregnancy/delivery

• Sharing injecting drug equipment

Michelle Mulhall, Senior Blood Borne Virus Nurse, says early detection and treatement significantly improves the outcomes for people with HIV and prevents it being spread onwards to others.

"Although there is no cure for HIV there are highly effective treatments that allow them to lead a healthy normal life. Treatments can supress the virus to undetectable levels and prevent transmission to others.”

HIV testing is free, easy and confidential. To book your HIV test, please call the Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Team on 442856 between 8am and 9 am Monday to Friday or email S.H@gov.j to make a confidential appointment.