Peter Kyle, Labour MP for Hove & Portslade, takes public HIV test to encourage more local people to test for the virus as National HIV Testing Week approaches.
He visited Terrence Higgins Trust’s (THT) Brighton office to have a simple finger-prick blood test. Peter’s negative result was delivered just 15 minutes after his test.
During the visit, Peter met volunteers and staff and discussed the importance of normalising testing and busting stigma. He was also briefed about local events in Brighton and Hove during National HIV Testing Week, starting on November 19.
Peter said: “It’s incredibly important to test regularly for HIV which is why I visited THT to raise awareness. As I found out today by taking a test – testing is free, fast and simple, and it’s one of the best weapons we have to stop the spread of HIV.”
THT in Brighton will be testing people at high risk of HIV, including men who have sex with men and black African people, at University of Sussex and LGBT youth groups, local bars, saunas and pubs, as well at the charity’s centre in Ship Street.
THT will be extending its opening hours in Brighton at 61 Ship St, for the week to 10am till 8pm from Monday November 21 till Friday November 25, and from 1.30 till 5pm on Saturday, November 26.
Ben Bloom, Community Engagement Coordinator at Terrence Higgins Trust in Brighton, said: “Peter Kyle MP showed just how quick and easy it is to be sure of your status by taking a public HIV test today – thank you.
“We’re providing more opportunities for local people here in Brighton to test by extending our opening times and having pop-up testing at local bars, pub and other community venues
“Today, if you test positive, effective treatment means you can live as long as anyone else, and when the amount of the virus in your blood is reduced to undetectable levels, this means you cannot pass on HIV. Testing puts you in control and is nothing to be feared.”
National HIV Testing Week, which runs from November 19-26, is run by Terrence Higgins Trust on behalf of HIV Prevention England. The week encourages people to take a painless, simple and quick test, particularly those most at-risk of HIV, including men who have sex with men and black African people.
Dr Christian Jessen, who is supporting National HIV Testing week said: “I’m a fervent champion of National HIV Testing Week. I often find that people are really afraid of taking an HIV test – it can sound like a daunting prospect, but honestly it isn’t. Testing puts you in control.
“One in six people living with HIV do not know they have it and are therefore likely to unwittingly pass on the virus. On the other hand, those who get a positive result and onto effective treatment can live a long and healthy life, and cannot pass on HIV to others. It’s a no brainer.
“The challenge is now to bust the stigma that stops people getting tested in the first place. The sooner we can do that, the quicker we can stop HIV.”
THT in Brighton is based at 61 Ship Street, Brighton, BN1 1AE and provides support, information and advice, as well as HIV testing.
For more information about National HIV Testing Week, click here:
For more information about THT, click here:
Or telephone: 01273 764200.
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