One of our strategic goals is to achieve early diagnosis of HIV through ethical, accessible and appropriate testing.

Priorities for HIV testing

HIV testing rates amongst the groups most affected, including gay and bisexual men and black African men and women, are still far too low, with only just over half ever having had an HIV test.  We therefore want to see a change in testing culture - with at least annual testing becoming the norm for gay and bisexual men and over 80 per cent of African men and women having had an HIV test. This will require sustained funding for initiatives to reduce undiagnosed HIV. 

One in three people are currently being diagnosed late - after the point at which they should have begun treatment - which seriously increases the likelihood of a poor response to treatment and early death. To address this we want to see the provision of training for health professionals so that they recognise the early symptoms of HIV infection. A review is needed of existing testing messages to ensure that they reflect current practice and there is an appropriate emphasis on early and regular testing.

HIV Testing Action Plan

In 2009 NAT developed an action plan to increase uptake of HIV testing and reduce late diagnosis in the UK.  The plan provides an overview of NAT’s thinking on current HIV testing strategies in the UK.  It also identifies priority activities to increase political will, commitment and resources from a wide range of stakeholders to support the roll-out of HIV testing beyond GUM and antenatal settings, in light of the new national HIV testing guidelines. 

This includes a recommendation that the National Screening Committee consider what aspects of the new national HIV testing guidelines could be adopted as a National Screening Programme for HIV.

NAT is advocating for this recommendation and the other activities identified in the plan to be taken forward.  Read the HIV Testing Action Plan.

Primary HIV infection

In 2008 NAT held an expert seminar on primary HIV infection.  We found conclusive evidence that symptoms of early-stage HIV infection (clinically known as 'primary HIV infection') are being commonly missed by people who are infected, by doctors and by other healthcare professionals. The seminar report contains a series of recommendations that include:

• encouraging anyone who suspects they have symptoms of primary HIV infection to seek clinical advice
• making the latest testing technologies including fourth generation assays consistently available in all laboratories testing for HIV
• providing healthcare workers training to recognise risks and symptoms related to primary HIV infection.

 Read the report  Primary HIV Infection.

Improving HIV testing

In 2007 NAT held an expert seminar to look at ways of improving HIV testing and prevention in England.  The seminar report contains our recommendations on encouraging increased rates of early HIV diagnosis through ethical, accessible and appropriate HIV testing. Improving access to testing within GUM clinics, offering testing in other settings, offering a variety of methods of HIV testing and reducing the stigma around taking a test are all ways that could improve testing uptake and reduce late diagnosis.

Read the seminar report Updating our Strategies which outlines the key discussions that took place and presents NAT's recommendations for improving HIV prevention and testing in England.

See the seminar presentations.

Home sampling and self-testing

Relatively new forms of HIV testing are home sampling, in which people can take a sample at home and send it away to be tested in a laboratory, and self-testing, still illegal in the UK, which allows people to test and find out the results at home within minutes. NAT developed a briefing with information about home sampling and self-testing, as well as our views and recommendations. Read the briefing Home Testing for HIV.

To find out more about getting an HIV test please visit our HIV Facts section.

To share your thoughts and experiences on HIV testing please contact policyandcampaigns@nat.org.uk

 

Testing Information for Gay Men

It is now recommended that sexually active gay men (or men who sometimes have sex with other men) have an HIV test at least once a year.  NAT, in partnership with GMFA and BASHH and with support from the Health Protection Agency, produced a leaflet to explain to gay men why having regular HIV tests is important and to explain how they can have a test.

The leaflet was funded by the Department of Health and made available to Sexual Health Clinics. The artwork of the leaflet is now freely available for anyone that would like to print the leaflets for distribution.  For further information contact policyandcampaigns@nat.org.uk.