Fear 'still surrounds Aids tests'

People who are undergoing sexual health screenings may still be intimidated by the prospect of having an HIV blood test.

This is according to the charity Avert, which stated that there is still lots of speculation and myth surrounding the condition in the UK, which adds to public anxiety and misunderstanding.

A spokesperson from Avert was commenting on figures from a Health Protection Agency survey which found that a fifth of people who are offered an Aids test decline the opportunity.

The study revealed that there are currently around 91,500 people living with the condition in the UK and in the last 12 months there have been 6,660 new incidences.

Avert stated that half the new cases of HIV were diagnosed late.

The spokesperson added that treatment of the virus had improved and HIV is no longer a "death sentence". She explained that if HIV is diagnosed early enough it is now a "manageable disease".

Sexual health news : 10 December 2011