![\"Antidote](\"http:\/\/londonfriend.org.uk\/2012\/2012\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/Antidote-Team.jpg\")
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This week is National HIV Testing Week. There\u2019s never been a better time to test. Knowing your status allows you to take control of your own health and choices.<\/p>\n
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One in eight gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men (MSM) living in London are now HIV positive. However around 16% of MSM don\u2019t know they have the virus<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Treatment is most effective where HIV is identified early so initiatives like HIV Testing Week aim to encourage men to test more regularly. Current UK guidance recommends that MSM test at least annually, but more often if they are having sex with new or casual partners.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Although we still have no cure for HIV, treatment is highly effective. It can stop HIV attacking the body and keep the level of the virus under control. People whose viral load becomes undetectable are at extremely low risk of passing on HIV.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n You can find out more about HIV and safer sexual health on the great website from our partners GMFA<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Gay, bisexual and other MSM can test at one of our\u00a0clinics<\/a>\u00a0in partnership with NHS sexual health services. We\u2019re with the\u00a0Mortimer Market Centre<\/a>\u00a0every Monday morning (9-12) and at\u00a0Code Clinic<\/a>\u00a0at 56 Dean Street every Tuesday (5-7). Trans people can test with our specialist service\u00a0cliniQ<\/a>\u00a0every Wednesday at 56 Dean Street (5-7). Alternatively you can find out where to test locally in the UK\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n For support around drug and\/or alcohol use come to one of these clinics, or to our Antidote drop-ins \u2013 Monday morning in Kings Cross (11-1) or Thursday evening in Soho (6-8.30). We also work in partnership with the\u00a0Club Drug Clinic<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Public Health England<\/a>\u00a0recommend that MSM test for HIV every 12 months, more regularly if you\u2019re having sex with multiple, new or casual partners.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n London Friend is a local delivery partner with the national\u00a0HIV Prevention England<\/a>\u00a0campaign. During HIV Testing Week we\u2019ll be promoting the campaign throughout our services, our partnership clinics and through outreach.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n You can support London Friend by making a regular or one-off donation\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0or by volunteering with us\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It\u2019s HIV Testing Week! Do you know your status? This week is National HIV Testing Week. There\u2019s never been a better time to test. Knowing your status allows you to take control of your own health and … Continue reading <\/a><\/p>\n