National HIV Testing Week is launching in Oxfordshire with free, quick, and confidential HIV testing county-wide.

The initiative, part of National HIV Testing Week, February 5 to 11, is spearheaded by the UK’s leading HIV and sexual health charity, Terrence Higgins Trust, in collaboration with Oxfordshire Sexual Health.

The organisations are setting up pop-up confidential HIV testing clinics at the University of Oxford and Oxford Brookes University.

Their objectives are encouraging residents to test, informing them about their HIV status, and promoting overall health preservation.

Private booths will be made available, along with trained staff to provide free HIV tests.

Both information about HIV and sexual health, and free contraceptives will be available.

A stand will also be set up at Oxford Central Library by the Terrence Higgins Trust.

The purpose is to foster awareness among the local communities and redirect them to online HIV testing if need be.

Residents can also get free STI and HIV tests throughout the year through Oxfordshire Sexual Health, delivered in a discreet package.

Those without HIV can still use protection, while HIV-positive individuals can access treatment and experience a long, healthy life while not further spreading the infection.

2022 data shows an upward trend in late-stage HIV diagnoses in Oxfordshire.

More than a third of new cases were diagnosed at a late-stage, meaning they tested positive after the virus had already started to damage their immune system.

The figure of people living with HIV in the region stood at 416 in 2022.

People can be asymptomatic for a considerable stretch, making HIV testing of prime importance.

Various options are available for testing, including sexual health clinics, GPs, or the easy at-home test kits.

Upon positive diagnosis, immediate measures can be taken to maintain health and prevent virus transmission and UK residents can access free treatment and support.

For further details about National HIV Testing Week or services of Terrence Higgins Trust Oxfordshire, visit startswithme.org.uk and https://www.tht.org.uk/centres-and-services/oxfordshire, respectively.

Daniel Clerkin, service manager at Terrence Higgins Trust Oxfordshire, said: "We’re really excited to be testing across Oxfordshire as part of National HIV Testing Week.

"By testing in local spaces like universities, we hope to show how quick, easy and convenient HIV testing is.

"Testing for HIV puts you in control and is nothing to be feared.

"If your results come back positive, we can offer all the support, advice and information you need."

This period urges people to test for HIV, especially those belonging to the most affected groups, including gay and bisexual men, and Black African men and women.