View video that goes with this post here.
Today is World AIDS Day and there has been a video I’ve wanted to make for a while and this is the perfect day for it!
If you look on YouTube for videos about a product, technology particularly, you will find lots of “unboxing” reviews. People get a product and then unbox it, try it out and tell you about it as they go. So today I’m going to do my first unboxing review with a home HIV test. I’ll explain why in a minute, but first World Aids Day …
It is estimated that at the moment there are over 103,000 people living with HIV in the UK. Since it was first recognised in 1981, over 35million people have died from HIV or AIDS worldwide – making it one of the most devastating Pandemics the world has seen.
World Aids Day was started in 1988 to raise awareness, reduce stigma and of course raise money for research, awareness and support projects.
Because of the COVID19 pandemic in 2020 so many of the World AIDS Day Events have had to be withdrawn this year, which is having a huge effect on fundraising efforts to support those living with HIV and funding ongoing research.
There has been lots of news in the past few weeks about the amazing work done to produce effective vaccines for COVID19 … but please don’t forget there is still no vaccine against HIV! Which is why the safer sex message about condoms and PrEP is still so important!
Traditionally each year people show their support for World AIDS Day by wearing the red ribbon, but this year I suspect we won’t see as many because we won’t see as many people out and about – England is still in Lockdown, which is why I have massive hair in the video at the moment.
You can see in the video I have the National Aids Trust Virtual Ribbon on it, which you can get to show your support on your online avatars. And if you are in the UK you can support them with by making a donation for just £1 right now with your phone.
To do this text the word REDRIBBON to 70085.
And you can find out about the trust and donating on their website.
Like with the Covid19 pandemic regular testing can help us prevent the spread of HIV. There are many different tests available, the one I have used the most is this one – the BioSure HIV Self Test which is 99.7% accurate.
However! Before you do buy one please check the website of your local sexual health clinic or the Terrence Higgins Trust, these tests are often available free of charge!
The reason I wanted to make this video is to show what the test consists of, how it works and to reduce the stigma about HIV testing, what you may have to do.
Click the image above to view the video.