In the early years of the HIV epidemic, the virus disproportionately affected some communities, including gay and bisexual men (GBMSM), due to a combination of factors such as stigma, limited early awareness, and unequal access to healthcare and prevention tools.
HIV is now a manageable long-term condition. When someone living with HIV is on effective treatment and has an undetectable viral load, they cannot pass the virus on through sex (U=U).
HIV is also preventable with tools like PrEP, a medication taken to reduce the risk of acquiring HIV, protection, and regular testing.
To understand your risk of HIV and whether PrEP may be suitable for you, you can visit the NHS website and learn more about PrEP by visiting the Terence Higgins Trust website.