Bucks students ask 'Are You In?' to mark World Aids Day 2019

World AIDS Day is an opportunity to show support for people living with HIV and to stamp out the HIV stigma that stops people coming forward for testing. Testing is essential, because once someone with HIV receives treatment they can lead a normal and healthy life without transmitting the virus.

In Buckinghamshire over 400 people aged 15-59 years old live with HIV on a daily basis (Sexual & Reproductive Health Profiles). Nearly half (48%) of people newly diagnosed with HIV in 2016-18 were diagnosed late, compared to 43% nationally (Sexual & Reproductive Health Profiles). A late diagnosis can impact on a person’s health, so it's important the virus is detected as early as possible.

New statistics from Public Health England show that one in fourteen people living with HIV are unaware of their status.

Students made the video in conjunction with bSHaW - a joint partnership between Terrence Higgins Trust and Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust - with the support of Buckinghamshire County Council, who commission the sexual health services in Bucks. A large number of Buckinghamshire students attend BCA as it sits on the border near Marlow and Burnham.

The video will be broadcast across screens at Buckinghamshire College Group, Buckingham University and Bucks New University to raise awareness about HIV among students and staff, as well as calling for an end to HIV stigma which continues to impact people living with HIV and prevent people from getting tested for HIV.

Nigel French, Senior HIV & Sexual Health Practitioner at Terrence Higgins Trust said: "On 1 December, Buckinghamshire will stand with people all over the world by remembering those who have lost their lives to the epidemic. We are encouraging people to wear a red ribbon.

"Working alongside the students at the Berkshire College of Agriculture has been a real joy, their passion for keeping the message of remembrance alive on World AIDS Day is so important. This video will help show that the fight to end the epidemic is not yet over.

"There has been huge scientific progress in HIV with people on effective treatment now able to live a normal and healthy life, and cannot pass the virus on. However stigma and misinformation continues to hold us back from ending transmissions. That’s why it’s vital people know the realities of HIV."

Tracey Ironmonger, Acting Director of Public Health at Buckinghamshire County Council said: "World Aids Day is a time when we both commemorate the past and look to the future. Being tested for HIV can offers benefits. Treatment for HIV has come a long way, and we need to remove any trace of stigma so that anyone who might be carrying the virus feels confident to get tested and receive the significant benefits of treatment as early as possible.

"This is one of the messages that comes across really strongly in the students’ new World Aids Day video."

Watch the video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIKOX4GBBcgFind out more about World Aids Day: https://www.tht.org.uk/take-action/world-aids-dayLocal people across Buckinghamshire can also take a free and confidential HIV test at any local bSHaW sexual health clinic.

Testing at sexual health clinics is completely confidential and a patient’s GP would not be contacted without their permission. To find the nearest clinic, go to the service finder: www.sexualhealthbucks.nhs.ukbSHaW is a confidential and friendly service that is available via an appointment, or by attending a walk in clinic . To make an appointment call 0300 303 2880

There's now a FREE and totally confidential HIV self-test for men having sex with men, Black African and transgendered people. Similar to a home pregnancy test, you do it yourself and see the result in just a few minutes. A test can be ordered at https://test.tht.org.uk

FREE HIV self-sampling kits are also available for men who have sex with men and heterosexuals at higher risk in Bucks between November and early January 2020. Visit www.freetesting.hiv

In Buckinghamshire, Terrence Higgins trust works with Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust to provide the bSHaW (Buckinghamshire Sexual Health and Wellbeing) services commissioned by Bucks County Council.

Together they provide sexual health advice, testing and treatment across the county for all STIs including HIV and the provision of contraception services.

The HIV prevention programme includes: support for people living with HIV, point of care testing, training and awareness campaigns

HIV facts

HIV is a virus which attacks the immune system and weakens the body’s ability to fight diseases.

HIV treatment lowers the amount of virus in the blood to undetectable levels which stops it from damaging the immune system, and means the virus cannot be passed on to other people.

There is still a great deal of stigma about HIV. Stigma is damaging as it prevents people from getting tested, from accessing treatment and from living a happy and healthy life.

The most common way HIV is transmitted is through sex without a condom.

PrEP (Pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a drug taken by HIV negative people before sex that reduces their risk of getting HIV.

You cannot get HIV through casual or day-to-day contact, or kissing, spitting or sharing a cup, plate or toilet seat.