National HIV Testing Week is back on Monday 5 February 2024

National HIV Testing Week is back on Monday 5 February 2024, to promote regular testing among key population groups in England.

This year, the campaign returns with the strapline, ‘I Test.’, followed by a line that explores people’s different reasons for testing. It’s the only way to stay in control of your health and know if you have HIV.

Testing for HIV with CNWL is quick and easy. All it takes is a finger-prick test and you can even test from the comfort of your own home.

People can live with HIV for a long time without knowing it. Finding out sooner means that you can start treatment, stay healthy and avoid passing the virus on to anyone else.

How to get tested

CNWL runs sexual health services across London and Surrey. There are lots of ways to get a HIV test with CNWL. If you're based in London, you can order free tests online from the Sexual Health London website. Residents in Surrey (who are over 16) can visit our dedicated page to order home testing kits.

You can also speak to our staff in your local sexual health service, or your GP. Our clinic pages are here

We also provide HIV care and treatment at the Bloomsbury Clinic in London and from two clinics in Surrey in Guildford and Redhill. In London, you can transfer your care to us by calling us on 020 3317 5100. In Surrey you can call us on 01483 675 389 and press option 4 for HIV Services.

Who should test?

Testing at least once a year for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is good sexual health practice for everyone who is sexually active, even if there is no risk of infection. Depending on how many different sexual partners someone has in one year, testing more regularly should be considered.

Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) should get tested routinely for HIV and other STIs - at least annually or every three months if having sex without condoms with new or casual partners.

Black African men and women should have a regular HIV and STI screen if having sex without condoms with new or casual partners.

Trans women and trans men who have sex with MSM should test regularly for HIV and other STIs, annually or every three months, if having sex without condoms with new or casual partners.

The best way to protect from HIV is to wear a condom and take PrEP

PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. It’s a medicine people at risk of HIV can take to prevent them from getting HIV. When taken as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective. It can help you stay in control of your sex life and keep healthy.  Find more information here (opens link). 

Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a treatment that can stop an HIV infection after the virus has entered a person’s body. It must be taken within 72 hours of exposure. PEP is also available from the sexual health service.

Health promotion and testing in the community during HIV Testing Week

To mark HIV Testing Week, CNWL’s Sexual Health outreach teams in London and Surrey will also be raising awareness about the importance of testing for HIV.

Our Surrey Sexual Health Team will be at

• Godalming College on Tuesday 6 February
• Reigate College on Thursday 8 February
• Surrey University on Friday 9 February

In London, CNWL’s Sexual Health Promotion Team, CLASH and PrEP programme team will be holding a variety of clinics and outreach testing sessions to support the LGBT+, Black Asian Minority Ethnic, Homeless and Sex worker community. They’ll be offering tests for HIV and raising awareness around pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) a medication to prevent HIV.

See a list of outreach sessions below - more will be added before the start of testing week