HIV testing should be normal, says Harry

The Duke of Sussex has called for HIV testing to be seen as “completely normal and accessible” in a video marking this year’s National HIV Testing Week.

Harry said people should not be embarrassed of taking a test, and should treat it in the same way as they protect themselves against “viruses like cold and flu”.

In the video message, Harry said: “Taking an HIV test is something to be proud of – nor something to be ashamed or embarrassed about.”

HIV and sexual health charity The Terrence Higgins Trust commended the duke’s support in tackling HIV stigma and normalising testing, as it works towards its aim of getting to zero new HIV infections.

But the charity said there needs to be greater focus on tackling “worryingly high rates of undiagnosed and late-stage HIV”.

Around one in eight people living with HIV are undiagnosed and unaware they have the virus.

While more than four in 10 (43%) of those newly diagnosed in 2017 were diagnosed at a late stage of HIV, meaning damage to the immune system had already begun.

The duke said there is “something to celebrate”, with a 28% drop in new HIV diagnoses over the last two years.

But he also warned “this is no time for complacency”.

The prince has long advocated for the importance of HIV testing both in the UK and around the world.

When he tested for HIV live on Facebook two years ago, there was a five-fold increase in orders for HIV tests from Terrence Higgins Trust.

Prince Harry