Walk-In 20 Minute HIV Tests
posted: 25/06/2009
Starting on Thursday 2 July, the Lesbian and Gay Foundation and the Manchester Centre for Sexual Health will offer a new rapid HIV testing clinic for gay and bisexual men. The tests clinic will be at the LGF on Princess Street in Manchester every Thursday from 4pm to 6pm. The service will start up as a walk-in service.
The test that will be used gives results within 20 minutes of taking the test.
Nathan Perry the LGF’s sexual health and HIV co-ordinator said: “We are extremely happy with the fact that we will be able to deliver this long awaited service from the LGF premises in partnership with the Manchester Centre for Sexual Health.”
STI check and hepatitis jabs too
The HIV testing clinic will also provide a test for syphilis and offer Hepatitis B vaccinations.
This new service is in addition to LGF's outreach clinic on Monday afternoons from various locations throughout Manchester, including three gay saunas.
Manchester and Salford - 400 gay men undiagnosed
There are an estimated 77,000 people living with HIV in the UK, of which 21,000 do not know they have the infection - about 1 in 3 have not been diagnosed.
In Manchester and Salford there are around 1100 gay men diagnosed. About 400 gay men in the twin cities of Salford and Manchester have HIV, but don't know it.
Early diagnosis is better - treatment works best when it is started before the CD4 count of immune system damage has fallen below 350. This CD4 level is reached perhaps 3 years after infection. Treatment started after CD4 counts fall below this 350 level doesn't work as well.
Where and When
The tests clinic will be at the LGF on Princess Street in central Manchester every Thursday from 4pm to 6pm. The service is a walk-in service.
LGF, Princess House, 105-107 Princess Street, Manchester M1 6DD
0161 235 8035
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