This HIV Testing Week (1-7 June) Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) is reminding the community that HIV testing is still important, even in the current context of COVID-19.
ISLHD Sexual Health Service Director, Associate Professor Katherine Brown said the COVID-19 outbreak has changed the way some sexual health services operate, meaning that it may not be as easy to access HIV testing as it normally is.
“We understand you may have postponed getting tested HIV for various reasons, however, it’s still incredibly important that anyone who may have been exposed to HIV continue to get tested.
“We’re encouraging people who are eligible to make use of . We’re also providing telehealth consultations for asymptomatic people at this time,” Associate Professor Brown said.
Dried Blood Spot (DBS) testing is an option for people who meet to test for HIV at home, without needing to visit a doctor. Community members can order a , then follow the instructions to provide a fingerprick blood sample on the test card provided. Posting the test card back to the laboratory for testing is free, and a nurse provides results in a week.
“HIV Testing Week acts as a good reminder about getting regularly tested and the importance of protecting yourself and others by practicing safe behaviours,” Associate Professor Brown said.
You should get tested for HIV if you:
- are a man who has sex with other men
- come from a country where HIV is common
- had sex when traveling in, or with someone from a country where HIV is common
- used injecting equipment after someone else
- think you’ve been at risk.
