Lives can be saved in an early HIV diagnosis
Early diagnosis of HIV saves lives, is the message from sexual health professionals locally.
Free and confidential screenings, combined with advances in medical research and knowledge, has meant people in Guernsey can now live a normal lifespan while managing the virus.
‘I think people worry that because we live in a small island it will be out there so that’s a stigma we’re still trying to avoid, but we run a confidential service and use a code rather than names on our samples, so nothing gets out into the community,’ said nurse Laura Brouard, the Orchard Centre service lead, speaking as the centre marked World Aids Day this month.
‘Everything is kept completely confidential, and information is only passed onto the person’s GP for the sake of prescribing medication.’
More than 50 people in the Bailiwick are living with HIV, consisting of 27 people aged under 50, and 25 over that age. There are 32 men and 20 women affected.
‘Knowledge and research into HIV has transformed it, and from what was once seen as a fatal condition to something that people can live a long life with it, which is a fundamental change,’ said lead HIV clinician Dr Nicola Brink, pictured.
‘From my perspective, a lot of the stigma today really is related to the transmission of HIV.
'It’s a case of knowing your facts and know that HIV is a manageable condition.’
