A QUARTER of people with HIV in this country do not realise they have the disease and are therefore likely to pass it on to other people.

Because of these statistics, Hampshire County Council is supporting the national HIV Testing Week.

HIV often has no symptoms but the longer it is left untreated the more damage it does, not only to the person who has it but also to their sexual partners.

And the only way to find out if you have the debilitating virus is to get tested.

National HIV Testing Week, which started on Saturday, aims to reduce the avoidably high levels of undiagnosed and late-diagnosed HIV in England.

Councillor Patricia Stallard, executive member for Health and Public Health, said: “Undiagnosed infection is widely recognised as a factor driving the increase in HIV in the UK, as someone who remains undiagnosed is much more likely to pass the virus on unwittingly than someone who has been tested and is on treatment.

“Reducing undiagnosed HIV is the most important step we can take to halt the spread - once people are diagnosed, they can access treatment that will keep them fit and well.

“People who are on treatment are also far less likely to pass the virus on. There are more reasons to know your HIV status than there are not to, so we would encourage local people to use the opportunity of National HIV Testing Week to get tested.”

During National HIV testing week Hampshire County Council wants to raise awareness of testing and encourage it, especially among people who are most at risk.

These include men who have sex with men and people from African communities and their sexual partners They also want to reduce the number of people who are diagnosed late.

Hampshire residents can get a HIV test from their GP or a local sexual health clinic or can order a HIV home-sampling postal kit online at www.test.hiv.

You can also access Solent NHS Trust’s Quick Check service, available at several community venues across Hampshire and during the week there will be walk in and appointment opportunities.

The first test centre will open on Wednesday, November 25 at Pink Broadway in East Street, Southampton from 4pm to 7pm.

To book an appointment email SNHS.sexualhealthpromotion@nhs.net or call 01256 300436.

A walk in clinic will also take place at The Edge in Compton Walk, Southampton on Tuesday, December 1 from 4pm to 7pm and appointments do not need to be booked.

Most of the 613 people with HIV who died last year in the UK had been diagnosed late. Early diagnosis can mean a near-normal life span and better long term health.