Your Health Barnet blog

Today, on World AIDS Day (1 December 2025), it has never been more important to know the four scientifically proven, free, accessible ways to prevent HIV - regular testing, condoms, PrEP, and effective treatment as prevention.

Using a combination of the four is the most effective way to stay safe from HIV and testing is the only way to know your HIV status.

You can order a test from Sexual Health London • SHL.UK and this can be done at home. You can also visit one of Barnet’s Sexual Health Clinics or find Point of Care HIV Testing near you with Brook. 

Use condoms to protect yourself from HIV & STIs, if you are sexually active with new or casual partners.

It’s never too late to get protected against HIV infection by using PrEP, which stands for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis and is a medication for people who are HIV negative, to help prevent them from getting HIV if they are high risk. PrEP is up to 99% effective at preventing HIV, when taken correctly.

Most people living in the UK with HIV are on effective treatment and virally suppressed, which means they can’t pass it on. This is known as U=U – undetectable = untransmissible. Knowing you have HIV means you can start treatment, stay healthy & avoid passing the virus on to anyone else.

Now, with the right (and free) medication, people living with HIV can lead long, healthy lives.

It is important to acknowledge how far treatment has come - but also vital to raise awareness of late diagnosis; when HIV is found after it has already started to impact your health.

Testing, which is free, quick and confidential, at least once a year can prevent late diagnosis - discovering it early means you can get the care you need to stay well and, if your test is negative, you have peace of mind.

To find out more about local sexual health services and support, please go to Your Health Barnet.