Sexual health and our student’s wellbeing are very important to us, so we’re pleased to be able to tell you about a Rapid HIV Testing Clinic that has opened up on campus, available every Thursday afternoon. Plus, this week is also National HIV Testing Week, with loads of awareness campaigns and activity taking place across the nation.

What is the clinic?

The LGBT Foundation is running the clinic for men who have sex with men. During an appointment, there’ll be a brief chat about exposure and risk to HIV before taking a small sample of blood using a lancer (a small pin prick on the finger), which will then be placed on a testing strip.  In total your appointment will last approximately 45 minutes, and you'll find out your results in the appointment itself.

Why is it important?

Current guidelines suggest that gay and bisexual men should have a HIV test at least once every 12 months, but everyone is different and some people might need to test more regularly. If you are changing sexual partners regularly or have multiple sexual partners, you are encouraged to test more often for sexually transmitted infections than the suggested 12 months.

If you are in a new relationship and want to stop using condoms, it is advisable to continue to use condoms for three months, and then both go for a full sexual health screen, just to be sure.

You should always go for a test if you think that you have been exposed to any sexually transmitted infection or as soon as you notice any symptoms, even if they apparently clear up. If you are experiencing symptoms, you should go directly to your nearest GUM.

When and where is it?

The clinic will be open every Thursday afternoon from 12pm – 5pm on a drop in basis (last drop in at 4.15pm). The clinic will be in the Mary Seacole Building, Floor 3 Wellbeing Suites. This is located on Frederick Road Campus, next to Salford Crescent train station (right on exiting the station) opposite McDonalds and Windsor Dental Practice. The postcode is M6 6PU.

Further information on the service can be found here and here.