World AIDS Day: safe sex and testing encouraged to reduce transmission

On World AIDS Day, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is celebrating the huge progress made with HIV. There are excellent treatments available for HIV which mean that someone who is diagnosed early can live a healthy life. Treatment for HIV also stops transmission – if you are on effective treatment, you can’t pass it on. This is known as U=U – an undetectable viral load means the virus is untransmissible.

The latest figures, published today [1 December] in the ‘HIV surveillance in Northern Ireland 2022’ report, show there are 1,348 people in Northern Ireland living with HIV and accessed HIV-related care in 2022. Of these individuals, 99% were on treatment for HIV and 98% had an undetectable viral load.  

There were 105 diagnoses in 2022 in Northern Ireland. This includes a combination of new diagnoses, where someone has been diagnosed with HIV for the first time here, and people who are already on treatment for HIV moving here from outside Northern Ireland.

Dr Rachel Coyle, Public Health Consultant at the PHA, said: “The developments in HIV treatment and care over the past few decades are astonishing. Today, someone diagnosed early with HIV will be able to access highly effective treatment, for free, which means they can lead a full and healthy life. Someone on this treatment cannot pass HIV to a sexual partner or anyone else. HIV is not a barrier to having relationships, to having children or to leading a full and healthy life.

“However, we know that stigma is still major issue. Myths persist about HIV and the fantastic progress made in HIV care isn’t as well known as it should be. That’s why the PHA is celebrating the U=U message this World AIDS Day.

“We also know that in Northern Ireland around one third of new HIV diagnoses were made at a late stage and a person diagnosed late is more likely to be experiencing health issues. Early access to testing is critical to support early diagnosis and allow people to access treatment. The availability of testing for HIV and other STIs has been increased in recent years to make it more accessible, and we have seen an increase in the number of tests which are being done, which is good news. You can get a home testing kit for HIV and STIs, which is completely free, discreet and confidential. Kits can be ordered at www.sh24.org.uk”

For information, the symptoms of HIV and STIs, as well as information on conditions which may have no symptoms, and for details of Northern Ireland GUM clinics, visit www.sexualhealthni.info and www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/sexual-health