HIV prevention and support
Understanding HIV
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. ‘Immunodeficiency’ refers to the weakening of the immune system by the virus.
HIV is a manageable condition and, with the right tools and information, it’s preventable.
There are several ways to protect yourself from HIV, supported by free and confidential services.
Most new infections come from unprotected sex with someone who doesn’t know they have HIV.
Whether you want to lower your risk, protect your partners, or simply stay informed, there are practical steps you can take to stay in control of your sexual health.
Be part of the generation that stops HIV. Read more about HIV.
How to protect yourself from HIV
There are lots of ways to help avoid getting and spreading HIV, including:
Use condoms and lube
Condoms are one of the easiest and most effective ways to prevent HIV, other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancies, when used correctly and consistently.
Using water or silicone‑based lube helps prevent condom breakage and makes sex safer and more comfortable.
You can access free condoms and lubes in Norfolk at:
If you are aged 16 and over, you can also order free condoms by post. To be eligible, you must:
- live at an address with a Norfolk postcode
- have not ordered condoms from us in the last month
If you are aged 13 to 24, you can get a C-Card (join the C-Card Scheme). This gives you quick and easy access to free condoms and lube and sexual health advice. Read more about the C-Card Scheme.
Take PrEP (Pre‑Exposure Prophylaxis)
PrEP is taken before sex.
HIV PrEP is a taken by people who don’t have HIV (are HIV negative) to prevent them getting HIV.
PrEP stands for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. PrEP is taken before sex, so it is ‘pre-exposure’, but it also needs to be taken afterwards too. Prophylaxis means to prevent infection.
If you are taking PrEP and exposed to HIV, the anti-HIV drug(s) in your body stop the virus from entering cells and replicating. This prevents HIV from establishing itself and stops it from taking hold.
PrEP is usually given as a single pill. This is known as oral PrEP. It contains two anti-HIV drugs, usually tenofovir disoproxil (TD) plus emtricitabine (FTC). A version using tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) instead of TD is only used if you have kidney or bone issues.
If you are unable to have oral PrEP, in discussion with your clinician, you may be offered an injectable version of PrEP called cabotegravir which is administered every 2 months.
You can take oral PrEP every day or only when you need it (known as on demand or event-based). How you take it depends on your circumstances and how often you have sex.
The injectable version of PrEP is administered every 2 months.
HIV PrEP is very effective when taken correctly. It works for all genders, and anyone taking the contraceptive pill or gender confirming hormones.
HIV PrEP does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis or hepatitis C. It also does not prevent pregnancy, so you may still want to use condoms or other contraception.
PrEP is for anyone who doesn’t have HIV (HIV negative), is sexually active, doesn’t always use condoms for anal or vaginal/frontal sex and could be at higher risk of HIV infection. For example:
- black African men and women
- trans men, trans women and non-binary people
- gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM)
- people with a partner/s from parts of the world where the rate of HIV is much higher
- people with a partner/s who may have HIV (HIV positive) and not on treatment (and therefore does not have undetectable levels of HIV in their blood)
- people who sell sex or work in the adult sex industry
- people who inject drugs and who may share injecting equipment
- people who regularly have sex with lots of people
- people who may not have full control over the sex they have
You do not need to take PrEP if:
- you consistently use condoms and other HIV prevention strategies
- your partner does not have HIV
- your partner is living with HIV, taking HIV treatment and has undetectable levels of HIV in their blood (viral load)
If you would like to start taking PrEP, call your local iCaSH Norfolk clinic on 0300 300 3030.
The clinic staff will discuss your sexual lifestyle with you to see if PrEP is the best option for you.
Take PEP (Post‑Exposure Prophylaxis)
This is emergency HIV prevention.
PEP is a course (28 days) of emergency anti-HIV medication taken to prevent you from getting HIV after a recent risk of exposure to the virus.
It is important to start PEP as soon as you can after a possible exposure. This is because the sooner it is started, the better it works. This should ideally be within 24 hours, although PEP can be given up to 72 hours after a risk has happened.
When accessing PEP you may be asked some questions to see if you need PEP. Questions may include asking you about:
- the person you had sex with (and the chances that they had HIV)
- what sort of sex you had (vaginal, oral or anal)
- if the other person had HIV, what their viral load is
Health professionals will use national guidelines to decide who needs to take PEP.
You will not need PEP if the person you had sex with is living with HIV and has an undetectable viral load, as it won’t be possible for the virus to have been transmitted.
Taking HIV PEP will not protect you from other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or unplanned pregnancy.
Where to get PEP
- Your local iCaSH Norfolk clinic. Call them on 0300 300 3030. It is important that you tell the clinic staff that you think you may need PEP. They will make sure that you are seen as soon as possible.
- Your local emergency department (also known as 'ED' or ‘A&E’). If the iCaSH Norfolk clinics are closed, you should go to your nearest emergency department.
- The Harbour Centre, if you have been sexually assaulted. Call them on 0330 223 0099.
PEP is available for free on the NHS. Read more about PEP.
HIV testing
Testing for HIV is quick, free, easy and confidential – you can even test at home. Getting an HIV test is the only way to know if you have HIV. HIV is usually passed on by people who do not know they have it.
If you have HIV (are HIV positive), finding out means you can start HIV treatment and stay healthy.
The sooner you start treatment, the less likely you are to become seriously ill. People who are diagnosed early and start HIV treatment can expect to live a normal lifespan.
Everyone who is sexually active should get an HIV test at least once a year, even if you think you haven’t put yourself at risk.
You may want to consider testing more regularly if you have several sexual partners in a year.
Black African men and women should test regularly for HIV and other STIs if having sex without condoms with new or casual partners.
Trans women and trans men who have sex with men should test regularly for HIV and other STIs, annually or every 3 months, if having sex without condoms with new or casual partners.
Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) should get tested routinely for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). They should test at least annually or every 3 months if having sex without condoms with new or casual partners.
Postal
- HIV testing is available to anyone aged 16 and over in a key target population and anyone aged 35 and over.
- Order a test kit to be posted to you, at a Norfolk address of your choice.
- Send off your sample (self-sampling).
- Your sample is tested by the laboratory for HIV and other STIs as appropriate.
- You will be notified when your results are ready by your chosen method (at registration).
- You can access your results via your online account.
- Available to anyone aged 16 and over in a key target population.
- Order a test kit to be posted to you, at Norfolk address of your choice.
- Depending on your eligibility there are 2 options:
- self-sampling (results received via text or mobile)
- self-test (result received there and then)
In person
- If you are attending an iCaSH Norfolk clinic, you may be offered an HIV test during your appointment.
Rapid HIV testing
- The Norfolk Sexual Health Outreach and Prevention Team provide rapid HIV testing in community setting with key target population.
- Available to anyone aged 18 and over.
- The practitioner will take a simple finger-prick blood sample.
- Fast, accurate and confidential result provided there and then in a few minutes.
- Keep an eye out for the team when you are out and about.
HIV treatment
If you have HIV (are HIV positive), effective treatment is available to protect your health.
After being diagnosed, it’s recommended to start treatment as soon as possible. Specialist HIV clinical staff in iCaSH Norfolk will talk to you about the right type of treatment for you.
HIV treatment does not cure HIV, but it can help you live a long and healthy life by stopping the virus from reproducing in your body.
Once you’re on treatment, the level of HIV in your blood (viral load) can be reduced to undetectable levels.
When HIV is undetectable, it is untransmittable (often called U = U). This means that you can't pass HIV on to anyone else, even when condoms are not used during sex.
iCaSH provide comprehensive treatment and care for people living with HIV. Call your local iCaSH Norfolk clinic on 0300 300 3030.
Read more about HIV and resources for people living with HIV.
