In some Black communities, conversations about sex and sexual health can feel difficult or private. Having the right information puts you in control of your health, your relationships, and your future.
Understanding HIV:
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a virus that damages the cells in a person’s immune system and weakens the body’s ability to fight everyday infections and disease.
There’s currently no cure for HIV, but with the right treatment, people living with HIV can live long, full lives, and can’t pass HIV on to their partners.
HIV treatment can reduce the amount of HIV in someone’s blood until it’s so low that standard tests can’t detect it. This is called having an undetectable viral load. Someone living with HIV who maintains an undetectable viral load can’t pass HIV on through sex.
How HIV is transmitted:
HIV can only be passed through certain body fluids, including blood, semen, vaginal fluids, anal fluids and breastmilk.
It can be passed on through:
- Vaginal or anal sex where HIV can be transmitted, for example when a partner has HIV but isn’t on effective treatment
- During pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding where effective preventative treatment isn’t being used
You can’t get HIV through everyday contact like kissing, hugging or sharing food.
Getting tested for HIV:
The only way to know your HIV status is to test. Knowing your HIV status through regular testing helps with early detection, allowing for treatment and preventing further transmission.
This matters particularly because late diagnosis remains unequal. In England in 2024, 57% of Black African heterosexual men and 45% of Black African heterosexual women diagnosed with HIV received a late diagnosis.
It’s never been easier to get an HIV test and to get a result quickly. You can test in person at:
- A sexual health clinic,
- An HIV testing centre
- A GP / family doctor
You can also order tests online, with free and paid-for options. Many tests will provide you with a result in a just a few minutes.
At The Brunswick Centre, we offer free, rapid, and confidential HIV testing at drop-in sessions. Click for more information.
What if my result is positive?
You’ll be referred to specialist HIV care and offered treatment. Modern HIV treatment is highly effective, and most people take tablets to control the virus.
Once treatment has made HIV undetectable and it stays undetectable, it can’t be sexually transmitted.
What is PrEP?
PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. It’s medication taken by someone who doesn’t have HIV to prevent them from getting HIV.
PrEP isn’t only for gay men.
PrEP is used by people of different genders and sexualities. If there’s a possibility that you could be exposed to HIV through sex, a sexual health professional can talk to you about whether PrEP might be suitable for you.
Among Black African heterosexual people identified as needing PrEP in England in 2024, only around 36% of men and 35% of women had that need met.
Is PrEP free?
PrEP is available free through NHS sexual health services in England.
Do I still need STI tests?
PrEP protects against HIV. It doesn’t protect against other STIs or pregnancy.
What is PEP?
PEP stands for post-exposure prophylaxis.
It’s a course of HIV medication that can be taken after a possible exposure to HIV to reduce the chance of acquiring HIV.
PEP needs to be started within 72 hours.
If you are unsure about accessing PEP, you can show a doctor or nurse at a sexual health clinic/accident and emergency department this handy discreet card on how to request PEP clearly.
