HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus which you can get from having sex, needle sharing or other drug injection equipment. HIV can also be passed on to baby during pregnancy or with breast milk.
HIV is a virus that damages your immune system, so it makes you more vulnerable to infections. HIV can be life threatening. However, when it is diagnosed early, it can be treated.
Although there's no cure for HIV, there are medicines that help people with HIV live long, healthy, normal lives.
You can prevent HIV by:
PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) and PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) are both medicines that can prevent HIV.
This medication is for people who are HIV negative and at risk of getting HIV.
PrEP is a medication you can take every day or before and after sex to prevent HIV.
PEP is a medication you can take to prevent HIV after the virus has entered someone's body. It must be taken as soon as possible after exposure (ideally within 24 hours, but it must be taken within 72 hours).
You may benefit from PEP or PrEP if you are HIV negative and:
PEP and PreP do not protect against other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Only condoms can protect against STIs such as syphilis, chlamydia or gonorrhoea.
You can get PEP and PrEP from Outpatients East at Barking Community Hospital. If you need medication outside of the clinic opening times, please go to A&E.
Getting a diagnosis of HIV is often a life-changing event. However, most people diagnosed with HIV can have long and fulfilling life as long as they get and stay on treatment.
Positive East offer lots of support for people living with and affected by HIV.
General walk-in opening times at Barking Community Hospital: Monday 09.00 to 11.30 Tuesday 12.00 to 14.30 Wednesday 13.00 to 16.00 Thursday 09.00 to 11.30 Friday 09.00 to 11.30 If we...
Positive East have lots of support services for people living with HIV.
Free, confidential HIV and STI tests (including chlamydia, gonorrhoea, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and syphilis).
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