East Lancashire health experts raise awareness of HIV (From Lancashire Telegraph)

East Lancashire health experts raise awareness of HIV

5:00pm Sunday 2nd December 2012 in News

HEALTH experts at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust are raising awareness of HIV as part of World AIDS Day today.

The day highlights the effects of living with the condition and the importance of being tested.

Dr Sedki Gayed, clinical lead for the Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “It is estimated that as many as a quarter of people infected with HIV are unaware of their diagnosis.

“There are no immediate signs or symptoms after infection and the only way to know if you have HIV is to be tested. If you're worried you could have caught HIV, it is important to get tested.

“The test is free and available from your GP or from any sexual health service as well as some community settings.”

For more details, ring East Lancashire GUM services at the Royal Blackburn Hospital on 01254 736045.