Everyone should be tested for HIV infection in some areas in a drive to find thousands of people who are unwittingly carrying the virus, UK government advisers say today.
The rate of infection within the UK is now accelerating – with some 91,500 people now living with the virus, according to the Health Protection Agency.
It claims that a quarter of these are people who do not know they are infected.
Last year the largest ever number of gay men in the UK were diagnosed with the disease – more than 3,000, according to figures released in advance of World Aids Day on Thursday.
For the first time the number of people infected within the borders of the UK is greater than those infected overseas – some 3,640 identified last year compared with 1,950 in 2001.
Another 3,020 newly diagnosed people were infected overseas.
The HPA says all those who visit sexual health clinics should be tested for the virus. In high risk areas all patients at GP surgeries and seeking admission to hospital should be offered a test.
Dr Valerie Delpech, of the HPA, said: "HIV is an infection which can nowadays be treated and those diagnosed promptly can expect to experience similar life expectancy as an individual without the infection. However, we are very concerned that a large number of people in the UK are unaware of their HIV status and are diagnosed late."
She added: "Research by the HPA has shown that routine and universal testing is feasible to undertake and acceptable to patients.
"Increased testing and greater access will help reduce the number of people who are unaware of their HIV status and increase the chances of early diagnosis, when treatment is more successful."
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