As part of National HIV Testing Week, an NHS trust alongside a number of community groups are encouraging people to get tested early.

The week, which began on Monday and culminates on Saturday with World AIDS Day, has been endorsed by NHS North East London and the City who want to spread the message that early testing saves lives.

More than a quarter of people with HIV in the UK don’t know they are infected.

In Redbridge alone, just under 3 in every 1,000 people have the disease and 36 per cent of those were diagnosed late and are ten times more likely to die within a year than those diagnosed early.

Although there is currently no cure for HIV, advances in medicines mean that people on HIV treatment can live healthy, active lives.

If you think you may be at risk, speak to your GP today.