HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus you can get from having sex, sharing a needle or other drug injection equipment. HIV can also be passed on to a baby during pregnancy or with breast milk.
HIV is a virus that damages your immune system, so it makes you more vulnerable to infections. HIV can be life threatening. However, when it is diagnosed early, it can be treated.
Although there's no cure for HIV, there are medicines that help people with HIV live long, healthy, normal lives.
You can prevent HIV by:
PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) and PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) are both medicines that can prevent HIV.
They are for people who are HIV negative and at risk of getting HIV.
PrEP is a medication you can take every day or before and after sex to prevent HIV.
PEP is a medication you can take to prevent HIV after the virus has entered your body. It must be taken as soon as possible after exposure (ideally within 24 hours, but it must be taken within 72 hours).
You may benefit from PEP or PrEP if you are HIV negative and:
PEP and PreP do not protect against other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Only condoms can protect against STIs such as syphilis, chlamydia or gonorrhoea.
You can get PEP and PrEP from Outpatients East at Barking Community Hospital. If you need medication outside of the clinic opening times, please go to A&E.
Getting a diagnosis of HIV is often a life-changing event. However, most people diagnosed with HIV can have long and fulfilling life as long as they get, and stay on, treatment.
Positive East offer lots of support for people living with and affected by HIV.
Harold Wood Polyclinic offers contraception every Tuesday by booked appointment and PrEP, STI treatments, asymptompatic screenings and vaccinations available by booked appointment on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of month. Call 02089705724...
Ilford Exchange Health Centre offers contraception, PrEP, STI treatments, asymp screenings and vaccinations. Contraception inc LARC by booked appointment every Wednesday and Thursday. PrEP, STI treatments, asymptompatic screenings and vaccinations...
Positive East have lots of support services for people living with HIV.
Our current services: Sexual health care HIV care Contraception
Free, confidential HIV and STI tests (including chlamydia, gonorrhoea, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and syphilis).
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