HIV prevention and support
What is HIV?
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The virus weakens the immune system over time, but with treatment, people with HIV can live long, healthy lives.
It is a manageable condition and, with the right tools and information, it’s preventable.
Most new HIV infections happen through sex without condoms. Whether you want to lower your risk, protect your partners, or simply feel reassured about your sexual health, there are practical, free and confidential options available to help you stay in control.
HIV can exist without symptoms for years, which is why prevention and testing matter. Many people take steps like combining prevention methods and testing regularly, it’s a normal part of looking after your health.
Be part of the generation that stops HIV.
How is HIV transmitted?
If someone with HIV has a detectable viral load, they can pass on HIV through the following body fluids:
- blood
- semen (including pre-cum)
- vaginal fluid
- anal mucus
- breast milk
People can get HIV through:
- vaginal/frontal and anal sex without a condom
- sharing drug injecting equipment
- sharing sex toys
- mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy
- coming into contact with contaminated blood
Most activities pose no risk of getting or passing on HIV. HIV cannot be passed on by:
- kissing
- hugging
- shaking hands
- sharing space with someone
- sharing a toilet
- sharing household items such as cups, plates, cutlery, or bed linen
- any other general social contact
How can I protect myself from HIV?
There’s no single correct choice. Many people use more than one prevention method at different times in their lives.
You can take control: choose at least one action today to protect your health.
Use condoms and lube
Condoms are one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent HIV, other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancies, when used correctly and every time.
Using water or silicone‑based lube helps to:
- make sex more comfortable and safer
- prevent condoms breaking
You don’t need to plan far ahead; free condoms are easy to access. If you are:
Aged 13 to 24 - use your C-Card
You can get a C-Card (join the C-Card Scheme). This gives you quick and easy access to free condoms and lube, and sexual health advice.
To be eligible, you must:
- live at an address with a Norfolk postcode
- have not ordered condoms from us in the last month
Aged 16 and over - free condoms by post
Free condoms by post are available to most people who live in Norfolk.
This is to reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy and transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). You can order a pack once a month.
To be eligible, you must:
- be aged 16 or over
- live at an address within Norfolk postcodes
- have not ordered condoms from us in the last month
Any other orders will not be processed.
Set a simple goal - plan how you are going to get some condoms today.
Take PrEP (Pre‑Exposure Prophylaxis)
PrEP is medication that someone who doesn’t have HIV (HIV negative) can take to prevent them getting HIV.
PrEP is generally taken before sex, so it is ‘pre-exposure’.
Many people use PrEP alongside condoms for extra reassurance.
If HIV enters your body while you’re taking PrEP, the medication stops the virus from establishing itself. It prevents infection before it can begin.
Most people take oral PrEP as one pill containing two anti‑HIV medicines. You should always take PrEP as prescribed. It can be taken daily or on‑demand, depending on your needs
Some people may be offered injectable PrEP (cabotegravir) every two months if oral PrEP isn’t suitable.
You should consider whether daily or on-demand PrEP would best fit your lifestyle. Your local sexual health clinic (iCaSH) can help you to decide which option works best for you.
PrEP is more than 99% effective. Very few people become HIV positive when taking PrEP as prescribed.
PrEP does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or unplanned pregnancy, so using condoms and/or contraception is still important.
PrEP is for anyone who is HIV negative, sexually active, doesn’t always use condoms and wants to protect themselves from HIV. PrEP can also be used by people who inject drugs and share injecting equipment.
Some of the people who could benefit from using PrEP include:
- heterosexual men and women who may be having sex without using condoms with partners who may have HIV and are not on treatment
- people who are HIV negative who are having sex without using condoms with partners who have HIV but do not have undetectable levels of HIV in their blood
- people with partners from parts of the world where the rate of HIV is much higher
- gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men who may have sex without using condoms
- trans men, trans women and non-binary people who may be having sex without using condoms with partners who may have HIV and are not on treatment
- people who sell sex or work in the sex industry
- people who find condom use difficult or impossible to negotiate
- people whose partner has other partners
PrEP works for people:
- of all genders
- using hormonal contraception
- using gender‑affirming hormones
- who are breast/chest feeding
PrEP can protect you from HIV if you are trying to become pregnant. But if your partner is HIV positive, it is better for them to be on HIV treatment. If their viral load is undetectable, this will also protect you from HIV. If you become pregnant while taking PrEP you can still continue PrEP but please also talk to your doctor.
You do not need PrEP if:
- you are happy and able to always use condoms
- you only have sex with people who have an undetectable viral load and are taking HIV treatment
- you don’t use condoms, but your partner is low risk
PrEP is available for free on the NHS.
If you would like to start taking PrEP call your local iCaSH Norfolk clinic on 0300 300 3030. The clinic staff will discuss your sexual lifestyle with you to see if PrEP is the best option for you.
Some people buy PrEP online; it is legal to buy for personal use. This is defined as up to three months of daily PrEP. Buying oral PrEP online might take a while for the drugs to arrive. It is best to order at least a month in advance.
The NHS is only responsible for meds that it supplies, but clinic staff will be able to support you with advice. For more information about buying PrEP online, follow these links:
Take PEP (Post‑Exposure Prophylaxis)
PEP is a medication taken after a possible exposure to HIV to prevent infection. It is available for free on the NHS.
The sooner you start PEP, the better it works. If you think you’ve been at risk, seek help immediately - don’t wait.
PEP must be started as soon as possible after a possible exposure to HIV.
- ideally within 24 hours
- no later than 72 hours
Acting quickly really matters - if you think you might need PEP, seek help immediately. You may be asked some questions to see if you need PEP:
- the person you had sex with (and the chances that they had HIV)
- what sort of sex you had (anal, vaginal/frontal or oral)
- if the other person had HIV, what their viral load is
Health professionals will use national guidelines to decide who needs to take PEP.
If the other person has HIV but has an undetectable level of HIV in their blood (viral load), PEP is not needed because HIV cannot be passed on.
PEP does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or unintended pregnancy. You may need to access emergency contraception and/or test for STIs.
iCaSH Norfolk clinics. Call 0300 300 3030. It is important that you tell the clinic staff that you think you may need PEP. They will make sure that you are seen as soon as possible.
Your local emergency department (ED or A&E) - if iCaSH Norfolk clinics are closed.
The Harbour Centre, if you have been sexually assaulted. Call 0330 223 0099.
PEP is available for free on the NHS.
HIV testing
Most people get HIV from someone who doesn’t know they have it.
Testing is the only way to know if you have HIV and helps protect you and others. It’s easy, free, confidential and you can even test at home.
Postal testing
iCaSH Express Test
STI screening every 12 weeks. Access to your own patient portal to see your current and any previous online test results and information, advice and support.
National HIV screening service
Depending on your eligibility there are 2 options for HIV testing. A rapid self-test gives you an immediate result. You do the test yourself and then let the National screening service know the result. With the lab test, you take a blood sample yourself and post it to a lab. They’ll text you when your result is ready.
In person testing
The Norfolk iCaSH teams offer testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections and HIV care at three hubs across the county. If you are attending a clinic, you may be offered an HIV test during your appointment.
Community rapid HIV testing
The Norfolk Sexual Health Outreach and Prevention team provide rapid HIV testing in community settings.
Everyone who is sexually active should get an HIV test at least once a year, even if you think you haven’t put yourself at risk.
Test more often if you have new or multiple partners or condomless sex.
The following groups, where HIV is more common, are advised to test more frequently:
- black African men and women
- gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM)
- trans women and trans men who have sex with men
Regular testing is a positive, routine health step, not a judgement. To ensure you don't forget, you could set a phone reminder now for your next test.
If you have HIV (are HIV positive), finding out means:
- starting treatment sooner
- staying healthy and living longer
- preventing transmission to others
It’s normal to feel unsure, but most people find testing quick and reassuring.
HIV treatment
If you have HIV (are HIV positive), effective treatment allows you to live a long, healthy life.
Starting treatment early puts you in control, protects your health and reduces HIV to undetectable levels (viral load).
People on treatment with HIV at undetectable levels cannot pass HIV on, even without condoms Undetectable = Untransmittable (U = U).
Specialist HIV clinical staff in iCaSH Norfolk will talk to you about the right type of treatment for you.
iCaSH provide comprehensive treatment and care for people living with HIV.
Call iCaSH Norfolk on 0300 300 3030.
Find out more about HIV and resources for people living with HIV
Preventing transmission during pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding
This is now extremely rare in the UK because the following medical interventions reduce the risk of transmission during pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding to below 1%:
- Being on effective HIV treatment during pregnancy
- Making a careful choice between caesarean section and vaginal delivery
- The baby is given a course of HIV treatment for the first few weeks
- By not breastfeeding
Find out more about preventing transmission during pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding
You don’t have to do everything at once, start with one step at a time
There are many ways to protect yourself from HIV, and support is always available:
- Carrying condoms and lube
- Taking PrEP
- Testing regularly
Plan your next step today:
- Get condoms and lube
- Find out about PrEP
- Order an HIV test
- Save the iCaSH Norfolk clinic number.
