Your Private GP and Sexual Health Clinic in Canary Wharf
If your HIV viral load is undetectable the virus is untransmittable (U=U)
- HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)
- HIV is mainly transmitted by unprotected sex, sharing needles or drug paraphernalia and more rarely in the UK, mother to child or with blood transfusions
- Kissing, touching, frottage, sharing utensils, or rimming, does not spread HIV
- For the past few years the incidence of HIV, at least in the UK, has been falling, dropping by around 30% over the last 5 years
- In MSM population the decline in new infections have been even greater at almost 40% in 5 years
- Rates in the heterosexual population have dropped 24% during this same period
- The successes have been driven by an aggressive test and treat strategy, where all newly diagnosed patients are started on medication as soon as possible
- And PREP, a daily pill that can prevent HIV infection
- PEP (post exposure prophylaxis) is a treatment which can be given after a risky exposure and reduces the chances of becoming HIV positive
- An HIV positive patient on antiretrovirals who has undetectable viral load are no longer infectious (Undetecable=Uninfectious /U=U)
HIV SYMPTOMS
- Not everyone will develop symptoms
- Those that do develop a sero-conversion illness
- Symptoms mimic other viral infections (fever, sore throat, fatigue, aches and pains, rash and swollen glands)
HIV DIAGNOSIS
- There are different HIV blood tests depending on the length of time since your exposure
- The early detection RNA test can be done from 10 days post contact and results are back same day (only tests for HIV1)
- The 5th generation HIV, P24 test can be done from 28 days post contact
- Antiretroviral medication suppresses the virus to undetectable levels and keeps most people healthy as long as it is taken consistently
Our consultation prices start from £100. Please click here for a full list of our prices
0203 197 9100
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