New diagnoses of HIV in Australia have risen 50% over the past 10 years! What’s really going on with HIV testing in Australia?

It would appear that the overall trend within the community is towards a the lack of HIV testing despite the publication of HIV data that indicates it is as important to undergo an HIV test now as it has ever been if.  As with all news cycles, HIV news waxes and wanes regardless of the underlying reality.  This can cause the perception with the Australian public that when HIV is not in the news on a regular basis that somehow the risk is reduced.  This is of particular its concern considering that the reality is a significant rise in HIV detection in the Australian population. Three annual reports on HIV and sexually transmitted infections in Australia released in October 2012 show a rise in HIV diagnoses. The reports were released at the Australasian HIV/AIDS Conference 2012 in Melbourne.The reports show that new diagnoses of HIV in Australia have risen 50% over the past 10 years.  Certain groups are at a higher risk of infection than others.  Particularly concerning is the rate of infection within the homosexual community.  One reason for this increase in HIV infection could be that unprotected anal intercourse with casual partners among gay men has also increased over the past decade. In 2011, 34.6% of Australian men who had sex with a casual partner reported having unprotected anal intercourse in the past six months.Another group at risk from HIV infection are men frequenting prostitutes and in particular those who practice unprotected sex. 

So of bearing in mind that these infections are normally the result of unprotected sex with a partner that in knows they have previously been a risk of contracting HIV, the question becomes why are they not taking an HIV test.

With this information available to the Australian public it is apparent that through whatever means possible the Australian public should be encouraged to carry out HIV testing.

Why aren’t they testing for HIV?

If only the world was prefect, and everyone tested for HIV when they should.  Regrettably it is not, they don’t.

We operate HeadStartTesting, an online supplier of HIV Self-Test Kits for the Australian public. We are often challenged as to the quality of testing for HIV at home versus testing at a medical clinic that can also offer counselling. After 2 years of providing this service, our response is still the same.

Regrettably many individuals who know they have been at risk, delay or decide not to test through a medical centre. Some still continue normal sexual activity and as a result they are the category most likely to infect others. It is a safe assumption to say that most infected with HIV were infected by a partner who did not know they themselves had HIV.  Of course they most likely knew they had been at risk, but decided not to test (and thus infected others). We often receive communication from a client stating their high level of anxiety and concern over their status. Some can’t sleep they are so worried about their HIV status or the HIV status of a recent partner, yet they choose not to consult their doctor.

Why?

As logically anyone who thinks they have contracted a life threatening disease would seek medical assistance, there must be some other factor driving these individuals to not test for HIV.
Our conclusion is that HIV is still seen as a socially embarrassing topic and when the possible contamination method is sexual contact it is more embarrassing or sensitive still. This is a concern as early detection of HIV can greatly increase survival rates. If HIV testing seems so logical and beneficial, why are many not doing it?
Many feel too embarrassed to explain their behaviours to another? Denial, what are the chances, it can’t happen to me? I’ll do it next week. I can’t explain this to my partner so I’ll just hope it’s nothing.  I feel fine, I don’t have any HIV symptoms. I think I have HIV Symptoms but can’t face my doctor.

HIV home test kits, target those individuals who decided not to test, and offer them an alternate to the testing methods they chose not to use.

But…If one of those individuals (the one who decided not to test with his doctor) does test and is HIV positive we have the following scenario. They face the immediate result without counselling at their side. This is clearly difficult for some individuals. However, it is hard to argue it is a worse scenario than if they had just carried on normal activities and infected others.  After all we are talking about an HIV positive person who was putting off testing and had so far decided it did not warrant consulting a medical professional. The objective is simple, get their status known and stop their risk of contaminating others through any reasonable means possible.

Now we have identified the need for HIV testing at home. Can it be done accurately? Are the HIV self-test kits accurate? Yes, they detect both the HIV 1 and 2 sub-virus, have a +99% accuracy and are manufactured under ISO, GMP standards. They are simple to use and give results in 5 minutes. If used incorrectly they will show a failed test result and not a false negative or positive.

If in doubt about your HIV status or you are concerned you have HIV symptoms then please test. Testing as soon as possible for HIV will remove any doubts/anxiety and more importantly ensure your health and the health of others is best protected. Head Start Testing can supply you with HIV Home Test Kits if self-testing is your preference.

Do I have the HIV virus?

HIV is typically transmitted through unprotected sex or needle sharing.  The only way to know for certain if you have contracted the HIV virus from these behaviours is to carry out HIV testing.  

Your medical practitioner can arrange for you to have a blood test or you can visit a specialist clinic for STD testing and explain that you believe you have been a risk of contracting the HIV virus.

If you have had unprotected sex with any partner whose HIV status is unknown to you members can be a potential risk of infection.  HIV testing in New Zealand is easily accessible and affordable.  A range of facilities offer  HIV testing and STD testing as well as counselling.  However for many new Zealanders prefer to self test for HIV using the home HIV tests kits.  This allows for  HIV testing in the privacy and convenience of your own home. 

These HIV test kits are extremely accurate and easy to use and can be purchased online from www.HeadStartTesting.co.nz.  Was this method of Ford’s the user greater privacy and convenience it is extremely important to consider that by testing through this method the individual will receive no counselling or immediate assistance with the result that they will receive.   

Of course in the event of a positive result they will need to seek medical advice and at this stage they will have access to the counselling they may require.  The this method of HIV testing and in fact all efforts share a similar goal to increase overall HIV testing tend to decrease the number of individuals infected by the HIV virus who are unaware of the positive status.