RESIDENTS who think they may be at risk from HIV are being urged to get tested.

This week is National HIV Testing Week, which comes as new figures reveal almost 3,000 people have the virus in Wessex.

Although the number of people with HIV in England is at an all-time high, a quarter of them are going undiagnosed.

However, the number of people diagnosed in the Wessex area has decreased by seven per cent this year.

Steve Jones, regional manager for Terrence Higgins Trust in the South West, said: “Reducing undiagnosed HIV is the most important step we can take in our efforts to halt the spread of the epidemic. Once people are diagnosed, they can access life-saving treatment that will keep them fit and well.

“People who are on treatment are also far less likely to pass the virus on unwittingly. There are more reasons to know your HIV status than there are not to, so we would encourage local people to get involved with National HIV Testing Week and make a commitment to test.”

To find out more, visit startswithme.org.uk.