When was your last HIV test?

*Press Release*

IT IS BETTER2KNOW YOUR HIV STATUS: TEST TODAY AND RAISE FUNDS TO HELP THE TERRENCE HIGGINS TRUST

London, United Kingdom, 23 November 2011

26% of people in the UK who are HIV positive, do not know that they are carrying the virus. If you are worried that you could be one of them, then you could be risking your own and your partner’s health. Better2Know is the UK’s leading sexually transmitted infection (STI)/HIV testing provider and can get you tested anonymously and with same day or next day results. For every test booked between now and World AIDS Day on Thursday 1 December 2011, Better2Know will donate £5.00 to the Terrence Higgins Trust to help support people living with HIV.

According to the Better2Know 2011 Survey, over two-thirds (69.4%) of respondents said that they had not always practiced safe sex. With nearly half (47.6%) saying that they had been unfaithful, most more than once, to their partner. It is more important than ever to ensure that you have regular testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections so that you can protect your long term health and fertility, and avoid spreading infections to your partners.

Better2Know is supporting the Terrence Higgins Trust in its mission to prevent the spread of HIV and STIs in the UK, by supporting people to look after their sexual health and regularly access their local sexual health services. Better2Know is making a donation to Terrence Higgins Trust for every HIV test booked individually, or as part of a full STI screen, to raise funds to support people diagnosed with HIV to maximise their health and wellbeing and ensuring they have the best possible HIV treatment and care services.

“We are delighted to support Terrence Higgins Trust,” said Better2Know CEO Mike Asher, “they provide invaluable support for those who are worried that they may have an STI, including HIV, both before and after testing. We provide confidential and anonymous appointments for our patients at any one of our many clinics around the UK. Our patients can see a doctor, and get the tests they need to safeguard their health. Our tests are of the highest quality available and we ensure that results are given to our patients quickly and discreetly.”

Clinical Director of the Terrence Higgins Trust Jason Warriner said: “We’re really pleased to be working in partnership with Better2Know this World AIDS Day. It’s a great opportunity to both encourage people to come forward for an HIV test and raise vital funds to support people who have been diagnosed. There are still very high numbers of people living with HIV without knowing they have it, which is life threatening for themselves and their partners, so it’s crucial people who have the infection find out and get onto treatment as soon as possible.”

References: http://www.tht.org.uk/informationresources/factsandstatistics/uk/

The Better2Know 2011 survey was carried out between 4 and 23 August 2011, 184 UK residents were asked to respond to the survey which was completely anonymous.

About Better2Know

Better2Know is the United Kingdom’s largest private provider of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) testing services. It has over 50 partner clinics throughout the UK, including 11 in London. Better2Know empowers its customers by giving them the choice of which tests to have and where and when to attend an appointment convenient for them. All tests are completely anonymous, names do not have to be given when booking and results are confidential between the clinic and customer. All tests are performed in accredited laboratories quickly and accurately, whilst maintaining absolute patient confidentiality.

To book your appointment phone us on the number above or visit our website www.better2know.co.uk

About the Terrence Higgins Trust

Terrence Higgins Trust is the UK’s largest HIV and sexual health charity with centres across England, Scotland and Wales. We’re here to provide information and advice about HIV and sexual health and offer a range of services including sexual health checks, counselling and support groups. We campaign for a world where people with HIV live healthy lives, free from prejudice and discrimination, and we promote good sexual health as a right and reality for all.

Visit www.myhiv.org.uk, our new site for everyone living with HIV in the UK, for accredited information, self management tools, interactive web services and community forums. Terrence Higgins Trust relies on donations to deliver a wide range of services. To make a donation, or to find out about everything that we do visit www.tht.org.uk