(GayWebSource.com – Gay Media & Press Network) – Posted by Jake Simpson – TheGayUK.com

New figures from Public Health England (PHE) show that there are no signs that new HIV infections are slowing amongst the gay and bisexual community.

By Newsdesk | 21st November 2013-11-20

HIV infections amongst MSM (men who have sex with men), gay and bisexual males are at their highest levels since the epidemic began, with over 3,200 diagnoses made in 2012. This reflects both an increase in HIV testing amongst the community and on-going transmission.

The PHE estimates 98,400 people in the UK were living with HIV in 2012 and there were 490 deaths among those with an HIV infection.

PHE estimates show that of the 98,400 people with HIV, around 33,000 are MSM’s, with 7,300 of those still undiagnosed. Although new heterosexual infections have declined since 2003, the MSM infection rate has continued to climb.

The report shows despite clear national guidelines recommending GPs and hospitals in areas with high rates of HIV routinely offer tests to all new GP registrants and general medical admissions to hospital, most are failing to do so. At the same time it was found 16% of gay and bisexual men do not have an HIV test when attending a sexual health clinic.

Deborah Jack from the National AIDS Trust (NAT) says: ‘We know at least half of new transmissions originate from people who don’t know they have HIV. It is important that gay and bisexual men are being pro-actively offered an HIV test at least annually by their sexual health clinic or GP.’

Between 2011 and 2012, the number of gay and bisexual men taking an HIV test in NHS clinics increased by 13%. In London, this increase was even sharper, at 19%. It is estimated that around 100,000 gay and bisexual men tested for HIV in 2012.

Jack continues: ‘Awareness messages about condom use and regular testing don’t seem to be reaching gay and bisexual men who are at risk of HIV or changing their behaviour. These statistics should prompt local authorities to provide adequate HIV prevention and testing services. HIV prevention and testing must be at the top of their public health agenda not just during HIV testing week and World AIDS Day but all year round.

‘But this is also a wake-up call for the gay community. Not only should gay and bisexual men be offered tests – they shouldn’t wait to be asked. They need to take the initiative – and get regularly tested.’

Responding to the news, Paul Ward, Acting Chief Executive at HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust, said: ‘Reducing undiagnosed HIV is now the single most important step we can take to halt the spread of HIV within the gay community. Within the last year, thanks in part to initiatives like National HIV Testing Week, we’ve seen a large increase in the number of gay men coming forward for testing. This has helped drive down the proportion of undiagnosed HIV in the community. Hundreds more gay men with HIV now know their status, helping them access life-saving treatments and drastically reducing the chance of them passing the virus on.

‘We’re getting there, but we can’t stop now. We’ve never been in a stronger position to beat the virus, with cutting-edge testing services and free, world-class drug treatments for anyone who tests positive. Modern tests are fast, simple and confidential – gay men can even test by post. We fully believe we can turn the tide of the epidemic, but we need to see more men testing, and testing more regularly, to make it a reality.’

National HIV Testing Week runs from 22nd – 29th November. It is being co-ordinated by Terrence Higgins Trust through HIV Prevention England, a partnership of community organisations funded by the Department of Health to carry out national HIV prevention work in England among communities at an increased risk of infection. For further information, visit www.startswithme.org.uk.

We recently interviewed the director David France and Peter Staley of a new film: How To Survive A Plague, which documented the fight for survival during the early days of HIV and AIDs.

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