Rapid HIV tests introduced in Glasgow

Following news that Glasgow is seeing the UK’s worst HIV outbreak in 30 years, rapid HIV tests have been introduced in the city.

With intravenous drug users who share needles the most affected group in the latest surge, finger-prick blood tests are being made available at needle exchanges. They provide results within minutes, rather than the two weeks or so of previous tests.

Around 170 people are thought to have contracted HIV in the current outbreak in the city, although the actual number is feared to be higher as many drug users do not use needle exchanges.

The BBC reported that Nathan Sparling, chief executive of HIV Scotland, had told its Good Morning Scotland programme: “For this particular population, who might not come back into services for a couple of weeks or might be moving around, some people just weren’t getting their results.

“Now, these tests mean we can get people into treatment so that they can become undetectable and live well with HIV and not pass it on sexually.”

Rapid HIV tests were first piloted in Glasgow by the Waverley Care charity, but this latest initiative means they will be more available.

You can read the full statement from Glasgow City Council here