National HIV Testing Week
27 November 2013
Health Care
Southend University Hospital's sexual health
nurses are urging people to get tested for HIV.
As part of the National HIV Testing Week, 22-29 November, staff
want to reiterate the importance of having this simple blood test.
All patients seen at the sexual health clinic are offered the test
and some patients can even receive their results by text
message.
Public Health England recently revealed that Southend has the
highest prevalence of HIV cases in the East of England so it's
especially important for people to get tested in this area.
Laura Hilton, clinic nurse specialist for HIV said: "I would
encourage everyone to be tested, HIV is treatable. Failure to
diagnose HIV leads to avoidable deaths and serious illness.
"Effective treatment reduces infectiousness and can reduce
onwards transmission. Patients who receive treatment can live a
near normal live span."
The hospital's sexual health clinic is open five days a week;
appointments can be booked by calling 01702 male - 385120 or female
- 385121. They also offer a walk-in service Monday to Thursday
between 09.00 and 10.00.
96,000 people are living with HIV in the UK. 24 per cent of
these people are undiagnosed. Anyone can catch the infection; you
only have to have unprotected sex once to be at risk.
For more information on the hospital's sexual health services,
please visit /your-services/medical-services/sexual-health/