A Birmingham teenager diagnosed as HIV positive is calling on young people in the city to get tested during HIV Testing Week (Nov 22-30), as new figures highlight the need to increase both the number and frequency of tests for the infection.

A new report from Public Health England (PHE) reveals that there are now nearly 110,000 people living with HIV in the UK. Around a quarter of these (26,100) are unaware of their infection and at risk of passing on the virus to others through unprotected sex.

The figures were released ahead of HIV Testing Week which takes place in the lead up to World AIDS Day on Monday December 1 which this year in Birmingham has a theme of ‘Young Voices’ as organisers look to promote HIV awareness among young people.

One of those young voices is 18-year-old Luke Alexander who found out he was HIV positive last year and he is keen to encourage more people to get tested early.

He said: “When I was first told, I thought I was going to die and I had no knowledge of any sort of treatment that was available. Luckily for me I was diagnosed early. There are not enough people shouting at young people saying please go and get a test.

“It is very important for your health and the health of those people you are with. HIV arises from very taboo subjects in the world such as sex and drugs but it does not just affect those people. It can affect anyone and the sooner the stigma can be fought the better.”

Events are being held across the next week to both raise awareness and offer HIV testing. It is being organised by a partnership of GPs and sexual health organisations across Birmingham including the Sexual Health Promotion Service (SHPS), Birmingham HIV Partnership, Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust (HEFT), national sexual health charities Saving Lives, Brook and Terrence Higgins Trust, the Military Sexual Health and HIV team (MASHH), LBGT outreach service Healthy Gay Life (HGL), as well as the Ubuntu and REAL outreach projects, which support sexual health in Birmingham’s African and African Caribbean communities.

They have teamed up with the Birmingham City Library to hold public workshop and testing events on Saturday 22 November and Saturday 29 November between 10am and 4pm where there will be an opportunity for young people to get involved and get tested.

On November 22 young people will be able to inscribe words and thoughts on large, freestanding HIV letters which will go on display throughout HIV Testing Week. On November 29 the public will be invited to tie red ribbons and their thoughts to the railings which encircle the amphitheatre outside the library. During both events there will activities on offer for young people including making red ribbon loom band badges and a ‘reduce stigma’ photo booth.

From Monday 24 to Thursday 27 between 11am and 7pm, and Friday 28 between 11am and 9pm, there will be testing for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C from a mobile clinic in John Bright Street, for people aged 17 and above, where there will be a backdrop of messages from professional footballers and other sports stars who are backing this year’s Saving Lives social media campaign ‘Selfies Saving Lives’ using the hashtags #HIV, #GetTested, and #GetTreated.

Birmingham Heartlands Hospital lead HIV consultant Dr Stephen Taylor urged people visiting their GPs, hospital or sexual health clinics to actively ask for the test as getting diagnosed early can ‘literally save your life’.

He said: “This year we must absolutely increase the number of people tested for HIV as well as Hepatitis B and C viruses. Birmingham has one of the highest rates of undiagnosed HIV in the country.

“Gone are the days of needing lengthy pre-test counseling. There are no insurance implications of taking a test. There are, however, lifesaving treatments available and we can prevent HIV from being transmitted sexually. But we can only do this if people take the test.”

Luke added: “What I would say to people is get tested now and don’t worry – whatever the test result. Medical science has advanced so much these days that the majority of times you will be fine for a long time. It is so vital to be tested and to be diagnosed early as it will give you the best chance of having a long and happy life with unimpacted health.”

On World AIDS Day itself on Monday 1 December there will be an evening of reflection, education and celebration with a service at St Philips Cathedral lead by Canon Janet Chapman from 7pm. People are invited to gather from 6pm at the amphitheatre outside the library to read the messages written at the workshops before walking to the cathedral.

Luke will be the guest speaker and there will be a candlelight vigil and two minute silence to reflect. There will also be plenty of music and dance to entertain the crowds and refreshments available.

Further information about World AIDS Day events visit www.worldaidsdaybirmingham.org.uk or contact Mike Lowe on 0121 392 8510.

People can organise an HIV test at any time at their GP or find their nearest sexual health clinic online at www.sexualhealthbirmingham.nhs.uk. People can get involved with the Saving Lives social media campaign by visiting www.savinglivesuk.com

Full details of testing events open to ages 17 and above across Birmingham during HIV Testing Week and on World AIDS Day:

• Walk-in testing for HIV, Hepatitis-B and Hepatitis-C is available from a mobile clinic based in John Bright Street with additional testing within the Brook clinic 24-27 November 11am-7pm and 28 November 11am-9pm.
• Health advisors from New Attitudes and HEFT with support from military nurses are offering a walk-in Point of Care Testing (POCT) service on November 27 at New Attitudes clinics across the city, at the Birmingham LGBT Centre in Holloway Circus and on December 1 at Brook clinic in John Bright Street
• Healthy Gay Life (HGL) will be holding testing on November 22 and 29 between 1pm-4pm at the City Library alongside the other partners, as well as on November 26 between 7pm-10pm, November 27 9pm-1am and November 28 between 2pm-5pm at their headquarters at 146 Bromsgrove Street, as well as between 9pm-midnight at Boltz bar in Lower Essex Street on November 28.
• A full sexual health clinic will be held at the LGBT Centre on November 27 between 9pm-1am.
• Ubuntu will be holding an event at La Reference in Hockley Hill on November 29.