startnewlife Mendee CIC · London

HIV Is Not a Death Sentence

Updated: 13 April 2026
In short

In the UK, HIV treatment is completely free for EVERYONE — even without documents. With treatment, HIV cannot be passed on (U=U). PrEP is free. Everything is anonymous.

£0
Treatment for ALL
including undocumented
U=U
Can't be passed on
with treatment
PrEP
Free
99% protection
100%
Anonymous
Home Office won't know

Treatment is FREE

HIV treatment (antiretroviral therapy) is completely free on the NHS for EVERYONE in the UK. It is the law.

It does not matter if you have documents, a visa, refugee status, or nothing at all. Treatment is free.

Go to any sexual health clinic — no GP referral needed. Just walk in.

Testing

🏥
At a clinic — free
Any sexual health clinic. No GP referral needed. Rapid test — result in 15 minutes. Anonymous.
📦
Home test — free
Order at freetesting.hiv or sh.uk. Comes by post in plain packaging.

PrEP — Protection from HIV

PrEP is a pill that gives 99% protection from getting HIV. Free at any sexual health clinic.

Since January 2026, injectable PrEP is available — one injection every 2 months.

Just say at the clinic: "I'd like PrEP". No shame, no questions.

U=U — With Treatment, HIV CANNOT Be Passed On

Undetectable = Untransmittable. With effective treatment, the virus becomes undetectable in the blood and CANNOT be passed on to other people.

This is scientifically proven. People with HIV on treatment live a normal life with normal life expectancy.

Full Confidentiality
Your employer will NOT find out
The Home Office will NOT find out
HIV status does not negatively affect your asylum claim
Discrimination based on HIV status is illegal (Equality Act 2010)

Stigma and Myths

In many CIS and Central Asian countries, there is a lot of shame and myths around HIV. Here in the UK, things are different.

HIV CANNOT be passed on through touch, food, or hugs
HIV is NOT a death sentence — it is a chronic condition
HIV is NOT shameful — not getting treated is

Treatment is free and private. Nobody will find out. You deserve to be healthy.

Who Can Help

📞
Terrence Higgins Trust
0808 802 1221 — free, HIV information and support
🤝
Positively UK
Support from people living with HIV — peer support
🌍
NAZ Project
Support for migrants and BAME communities with HIV
🏥
AHPN
African Health Policy Network — migrant health

Frequently asked questions

Is treatment really free?

Yes. HIV treatment (antiretroviral therapy) is completely free on the NHS for EVERYONE in the UK. It does not matter if you have documents, a visa, or refugee status. It is the law.

Will the Home Office find out?

No. Your HIV status is confidential. The Home Office does NOT get health information from clinics. HIV status does not negatively affect your asylum claim.

What is U=U?

Undetectable = Untransmittable. With effective treatment the virus becomes undetectable in the blood and CANNOT be passed on to other people. This is scientifically proven. Normal life expectancy.

What is PrEP?

PrEP is a pill that gives 99% protection from HIV. Free at any sexual health clinic. Since January 2026, injectable PrEP is also available. Just say: "I'd like PrEP".

Will my employer find out?

No. Your employer has NO right to know your HIV status. You do not have to tell them. Discrimination based on HIV status is illegal in the UK (Equality Act 2010).

Can I get tested anonymously?

Yes. Free at any sexual health clinic without a GP referral. Rapid test — result in 15 minutes. Or order a home test at freetesting.hiv or sh.uk. Completely anonymous.

Sources: nhs.uk · HIV & AIDSTerrence Higgins Trustgov.uk · HIV surveillance (UKHSA)aidsmap · NAM Updated 24 Apr 2026
📞 Terrence Higgins Trust: 0808 802 1221
⚠️ StartNewLife is an information project — not regulated by the IAA (Immigration Advice Authority). We do not provide immigration advice within the meaning of Section 84 of the Immigration & Asylum Act 1999. All content is general information only and does not replace advice from a regulated lawyer (IAA / SRA / BSB) about your specific case.