If you didn’t already know, today, 1st December is World Aids Day.

For the first time ever, pharmacies on the Isle of Wight will be offering free HIV blood spot testing.

A total of eight pharmacies from Cowes to Shanklin will be opening their doors and offering free HIV blood spot testing to anyone who thinks they may have been exposed to HIV.

The service is completely confidential (natch) and all you’ll have to do is have a prick of blood taken from your finger.

Don’t worry, you won’t be having to do it over the counter, all participating pharmacies will ensure privacy in a private consultation room.

Felicity Young, Consultant Nurse for the Sexual Health Service at St. Mary’s Hospital, said: “HIV is a virus which attacks and damages the immune system over a period of time. People with the virus may become susceptible to illnesses that a healthy immune system would be able to fight off. With approximately 7,000 people newly diagnosed in the UK last year, it is vital that everyone, young and old, understands what HIV is and the action they need to take to stop the spread.“

If you have the misfortune of testing positive, you’ll be offered a fast track referral to the Sexual Health Service at St Mary’s Hospital for further testing and treatment, if needed.

Where can you get the free confidential test?
* Day Lewis Pharmacy, Cowes
* Your Local Boots Pharmacy, Cowes
* Lloyds Pharmacy, Pyle Street, Newport
* Siddys Convent Pharmacy, Carisbrooke
* Boots Pharmacy, Ryde
* Gibbs & Gurnell Pharmacy, Ryde
* Regent Pharmacy, Shanklin
* Your Local Boots Pharmacy, Sandown

How might you be at risk?
· Have you ever had a partner with known HIV?
· Have you or your partner ever injected drugs?
· Males- Have you ever had a male partner?
· Females- Have you ever had a bisexual male partner?
· Have you ever had a partner who was not from Western Europe?
· Have you ever paid for/ been paid for sex?
· Have you ever received a blood transfusion?
· Have you had any operations/ injections/ tattoos abroad?

Image: Bethany King

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