THURSDAY, 28 NOVEMBER, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.

NHS Tayside supports World AIDS Day

Sunday 1 December is World AIDS Day and the NHS Tayside Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Managed Care Network is encouraging people in Tayside to support the ‘Getting to ZERO!’ campaign.

HIV care has been revolutionised in the last 30 years. Whilst there is still no cure for HIV, the treatments available today are so effective that someone with an undetectable HIV viral load on treatment cannot pass on HIV. This is known as Undetectable equals Untransmittable (U=U).

‘Getting to zero!’ campaign encompasses the ambitious targets of; ‘ZERO new HIV infections’, ‘ZERO late diagnoses’, ‘ZERO HIV related deaths’ and ‘ZERO stigma’ in Tayside by 2030.

NHS Tayside Genito-Urinary Medicine Consultant, Dr Ciara Cunningham, said, “The ‘Getting to Zero’ campaign should send a strong message to our community that people on effective HIV treatment can live healthily with this virus and do not transmit it to others.

“Stigma has a harmful effect on people living with HIV and should end. We hope that this campaign encourages more people to come forward and be tested as people can benefit from early diagnosis and treatment.”

This year, NHS Tayside is raising awareness of HIV by working with, the Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland, Dundee University Students Association, LGBT Youth Scotland, local schools, Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA), the Wellgate and Overgate shopping centres and many more statutory, third and private sector organisations.

Our staff will also be attending Parkrun events across Tayside on Saturday morning to raise awareness of HIV – please join us at Camperdown Park Dundee or Roselea Football Club Montrose at 9.30am.

The Wellgate Centre is hosting a photography exhibition, showcasing local interpretations on the theme “Overcoming Stigma”. The exhibition, which finishes on 1 December, features a selection of photographs from a competition launched earlier this year, by the HIV Service.

Over the next few days Terrence Higgins Trust and Men Only Tayside will also be holding a series of Health Promotion, fundraising and HIV testing events at the venues below.

• Salty Dog - 29 November and 1 December

• The Overgate - 30 November and 1 December

• Dundee Ice Arena - 1 December

• Club Kudos Sauna - noon until 4pm 1 December.

Why not pop along, pick up a red ribbon and do your bit helping us ‘Get to Zero?

HIV testing is available all year round. Speak to your doctor or make an appointment at a Sexual Health Clinic if you would like to discuss testing. You can also visit www.sexualhealthtayside.org or www.menonlytayside.com for more information.

Contact:

Anna Michie

Communications Department

NHS Tayside

01382 424138

Notes to editor:

What is HIV?

HIV stands for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a virus which attacks the body's immune system - the body's defence against diseases. When someone is described as living with HIV, they have the HIV virus in their body.

What is AIDS?

AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. A person with HIV is considered to have developed AIDS when the immune system is so weak it can no longer fight off a range of diseases with which it would normally cope.

How is HIV passed on?

HIV can be passed on through infected blood, semen, vaginal fluids, rectal secretions or breast milk.

The most common ways HIV is passed on are:

• Sex without a condom

• Sharing infected needles, syringes or other injecting drug equipment

Is there a cure for HIV?

No, but treatment can keep the virus under control and the immune system healthy. People on HIV treatment can live a healthy, active life.

What does U=U mean?

Undetectable=Untransmittable (U=U) is a message about how effective HIV treatment is today. HIV treatments work by reducing the amount of HIV in the body (the viral load). When the viral load gets low enough, people are said to be ‘Undetectable’. It can take up to six months of treatment to reach this point. If a person stays undetectable, they CANNOT pass HIV on to sexual partners.

Is HIV still a problem?

HIV diagnoses are falling in Scotland, meaning the spread of the virus is slowing down and prevention activities are working however, nearly half of people who test positive are finding out they have HIV very late, meaning the virus may have damaged their health permanently.

How many people are living with HIV in Scotland?

It is estimated that there are 5,881 individuals living in Scotland who have been diagnosed HIV-positive. Attendance is high with 4,913 HIV-infected individuals currently attending specialist services for monitoring and treatment. Across Scotland, 98% of individuals attending for monitoring are receiving anti-retroviral therapy. (Dec 2018)