Despite huge advances in HIV management over recent years, the virus remains a concern for some populations in Greater Western Sydney.
This HIV Testing week we are urging everyone to be alert to HIV risk and to consider the need for testing.
HIV testing is easy and confidential. You should get tested for HIV if you:
- are a man who has sex with other men
- had sex when traveling in, or with someone from a country where HIV is common
- come from a country where HIV is common
- used injecting equipment after someone else
- think you’ve been at risk
Treatment today is highly effective and means that people living with HIV can enjoy a long and healthy life. Effective treatment also stops the transmission of HIV to sexual partners.
Dr Sheena Kakar, Staff Specialist at NBMLHD says that early diagnosis of HIV can facilitate early treatment.
“People living diagnosed with HIV can live long happy and fulfilling lives with negligible risk of passing on the virus. Further, our clinics are free and don’t require a GP referral or Medicare card. It’s also completely confidential and not directly linked with hospital systems,” says Sheena.
HIV Testing Week serves as a timely reminder to contact our clinics at Kingswood (02) 4734 2507 or Blue Mountains (02) 4784 6560 to book an appointment.