Last updated on August 29th, 2017 at 10:31 am

HIV is a disease that has no cure and HVAD is an opportunity to raise awareness and educate people about the importance of preventative measures such as anti-viral treatment, which are improving the lives of many people who are HIV positive, and to raise funding for continued research into a vaccine for HIV. Of course, it is also an ideal time to say thank you to all of the volunteers and supporters who have worked for decades to achieve these milestones.

HIV myths debunked

HIV is only transmitted in certain circumstances:

1. Through certain body fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal and rectal secretions, and breast milk.
2. Sex – anal sex presents the highest risk of transmission because there is a greater risk of bleeding during anal sex which means that the virus has a greater chance of entering the body. The virus can also be transmitted through vaginal sex.

What cannot transmit the virus:

1. There is a national policy on blood screening and therefore the risk of being infected with HIV from a blood transfusion is very rare.
2. Casual contact does not transmit the virus as it does not live on the skin and can’t survive outside of the body for any length of time. Open mouthed kissing would only be a risk if there was bleeding such as from the gums or ulcers. Saliva does not contain enough or the virus to transmit he virus.
3. HIV is not transmitted through scratching or spitting and a bite that doesn’t break the skin will not transmit the virus either, although, a bite that breaks the skin and causes bleeding could.

HIV testing

Anyone who thinks they could have HIV should get tested as soon as possible as the earlier the disease is diagnosed, the earlier treatment can be started and serious illness avoided. HIV is no longer the death sentence it was once considered to be. Thanks to tireless researchers and drug development, public health education schemes, and clean needle exchange initiatives, people are living longer.

You can get an HIV test in several places.  NHS England suggests:

• sexual health or genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics 
• clinics run by charities such as the Terrence Higgins Trust 
• some GP surgeries
• some contraception and young people’s clinics
• local drug dependency services
• an antenatal clinic, if you’re pregnant
• a private clinic, where you will have to pay

According to Better2Know:

• HIV takes time before it can be accurately detected and there are four types of HIV test, which can detect the virus at different periods:
• Instant HIV Test (tests start at 26 days after exposure) a fourth generation test
• 10 Day HIV RNA PCR Test (for exposures that occurred more than 10 days ago)
• HIV 5th Generation Test (for exposure that occurred more than 28 days ago)
• 28 Day HIV DUO Test (for exposures that occurred more than 28 days ago), a fourth generation HIV test
• 90 Day HIV Antibody Test (for exposures that occurred more than 3 months ago), a third generation HIV test

HIV vaccine

There is currently no vaccine that will prevent HIV infection or treat those who have it. But the virus continues to spread with approximately 2 million people newly infected with HIV in 2014, globally, so there are more people living with HIV than ever before.

It is therefore essential that we develop a vaccine to control, prevent and eventually eradicate the virus, but continued research requires funding

How can we help

Despite major advances in recent years, 1in 4 HIV-positive people have still not been diagnosed and half of those diagnosed are diagnosed late. A late diagnosis means a delay in obtaining treatment resulting in a severely reduced immune system and as the immune system gets weaker, the more vulnerable the body becomes to complications of HIV infection which will ultimately impact upon life expectancy.

With a delay in diagnosis of such a destructive disease comes life-changing, debilitating problems, which may result in dependence upon the care of others and whilst there is no cure, in many cases there are a number of treatments and therapies available that can help reduce the effects and increase independence.

We understand that caring for a loved one is both stressful and demanding and can have a severe strain financially, psychologically and physically upon the whole family.

If you consider there was a delay in diagnosing or treating your symptoms it would be wise to seek legal advice to determine whether you might have a case for clinical negligence.

If you would like to talk to a member of our specialist team then please contact us for a confidential and free discussion today.