PEOPLE in Dorset are being urged to get tested if they have had unprotected sex.

Public Health Dorset and NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) are marking World Aids Day on Sunday, December 1 to encourage people to get themselves checked.

A quarter of people who are living with HIV are unaware that they have the condition and early detection means people can manage their condition better and reduce the chances of more people becoming infected.

Dr David Phillips, director of Public Health Dorset, said: “HIV is no longer an untreatable disease. The health and quality of life of people living with HIV has improved greatly in recent years due to better treatment.

“This is why it’s important for anyone who feels they may be at risk to get tested.”

Dr Karen Kirkham, a local GP and chairman of the Maternity, Reproductive and Family Health Clinical Commissioning Programme within Dorset CCG, added: “World Aids Day always takes place on December 1 and it is a chance for people to find out more about HIV, what it is like to live with it in the world today and how to reduce the risk of becoming infected. In the UK in 2013, due to effective treatment, very few people are dying of HIV other than those that do not know that they are infected, and this is why testing is so important.

“We are encouraging everyone in Dorset to find out more via worldaidsday.org or if they have concerns to speak to their GP or the local sexual health service.”

For more information visit f-risky.co.uk or keeplovesweet.com.