Living with the virus

London has a higher proportion of people living with HIV than any other city in the UK. A third of people living with HIV do not know that they are infected. Although there are drugs that prevent the progression of HIV, there is no cure and no vaccine to prevent its spread. HIV is no longer seen as an issue of concern for the public and the level of HIV continues to rise. It is expected that the total number of new diagnoses for 2003 will be the highest ever.

There is an acute need for the Government and health service to refocus their priorities and embark on a wide ranging educational programme to raise awareness of the HIV pandemic. The experience of living with HIV in London is a challenging one, not only in terms of living with a long-term, life threatening condition, but also in overcoming barriers and learning to negotiate access to appropriate services and support. The report outlines ways in which these services could be better provided.