A campaign has been launched to encourage HIV testing.

As part of World AIDS Day on December 1, Thames Valley Positive Support (TVPS) is spotlighting the significance of HIV testing, given Reading's concerning statistics.

The town records the highest rate of late HIV diagnosis in the South East, with 78 per cent of those diagnosed being detected late, compared to the regional average of 47.9 per cent.

Thanks to funding from Reading Borough Council, TVPS has initiated a campaign featuring five Reading residents who share their HIV diagnosis stories.

The aim is to show the public that HIV can affect anyone and to spur more people into getting tested.

Sarah Macadam, CEO of TVPS, said: "To be able to share real stories from residents of Reading that have contracted HIV will hopefully show the wider public that HIV can happen to anyone and the best thing we can all be doing for our health, is testing regularly and knowing our HIV status.

"The positive people that shared their stories really want to help make a difference and we are hoping that their bravery in doing so, will encourage many more people to test and bring down the rates of late diagnosis in Reading.

"A late diagnosis is far more likely to result in other co-morbidities and overall a poorer quality of life.

"An early diagnosis leads to better long term health outcomes and makes living with HIV manageable."

Jack, one of the participants in the project, emphasised the importance of early testing.

He said: "The earlier you test, the better. If HIV is caught early you can get on medication and with U=U, it means you can’t pass on HIV and that’s important.

"It’s not the death sentence anymore."

U=U stands for 'undetectable = untransmittable'.

If an HIV positive person is on medication daily, it reduces the virus level in their bloodstream to such a low level that they cannot pass the virus on through unprotected sex.

As part of the campaign, TVPS has also produced a digital download with easy-to-understand information explaining U=U.

This can be accessed from their website.

A special episode from their multi-award-winning podcast, The HIV Podcast, is also available where they speak with Dr Nneka Nwokolo, head of patient engagement, ViiV Healthcare, and honorary consultant physician in HIV and sexual health.

She explains the science behind U=U and what a revolutionary advancement it is.

Since 1985, TVPS has been offering support and education about HIV.

They provide education, support services, and advocacy to individuals and communities affected by HIV in Berkshire and North Hampshire.