Cholesterol treatment
In order to reduce future cardiovascular risk (strokes and heart attacks), it is recommended that all patients living with HIV over the age of 40 years old should be started on cholesterol medications regardless of their cholesterol readings. Some people may benefit from starting at a younger age depending on their risk. A large study has shown this can reduce your risk by up to 35%.
Your clinician will discuss this with you further and write to your GP to start this.
UK experts recommend statins for all people with HIV aged 40 and over | aidsmap
Smear test
It is recommended that women living with HIV should have smears done every year, rather than every 3 years. This is because there is a higher risk of developing cancer.
https://www.aidsmap.com/about-hiv/cervical-screening-information-people-hiv
Vaccines
People living with HIV should receive routine vaccinations, including those for COVID-19, influenza, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), varicella (chickenpox), and pneumococcal pneumonia, along with other vaccines as recommended by their healthcare provider.
Our services is able to provide hepatitis A, hepatitis B, Mpox, and HPV vaccinations depending on your clinical risk.
For other vaccines we will write to your GP with recommendations.
https://www.aidsmap.com/about-hiv/what-vaccinations-are-recommended-people-hiv
STI screening and contraception
If you have no symptoms you can have a check for sexually transmitted infections when you attend for routine blood tests
If you have symptoms, have been a contact of someone with an sexual transmitted infection (STI) or you want a check-up but are not due bloods then please visit our STIs page.
We offer a wide range of contraception options, to make an appointment please visit our contraception page.
Important COVID information
For information regarding COVID-19 and HIV please see:
COVID-19 & HIV: updated FAQs for people living with HIV – BHIVA
You may be eligible for Covid treatments if your CD4 count is less than 200 and or you have a detectable viral load. That is a viral load greater than 50 copies/ml. To read more please see:
We strongly encourage all people living with HIV to have the recommended COVID vaccines. There is evidence that responses to first and second vaccine doses can be lower in some people with HIV, particularly those with immune suppression (CD4 count <350 cells) or with detectable HIV viral load. Additional 3rd and 4th vaccine doses are thought to have increased responses in this group and are a particular priority. To read more please see:
BHIVA Statement on JCVI recommendations for COVID vaccine – Spring 2023 booster dose – BHIVA
Mpox update
If you have developed a rash/sore or ulcer and you or someone you have been in contact with has travelled to the countries below within the last 21 days, do not attend our service. Please contact 111.
DRC, Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Cameroon, Gabon, Angola, South Sudan, Tanzania, Zambia.
There is a new strain of mpox, please see below for updates: