HIV/AIDS

What is HIV?

HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. It attacks the body's defence system, preventing it from fighting illnesses and infection.

HIV is not passed on by shaking hands, kissing, touching or hugging, sharing cups, cutlery, crockery or towels. HIV is not spread by sneezing or coughing or from tears or sweat. A person does not get infected with HIV from daily contact. Use the following links to find out more:

• How can HIV be passed on?
• What do Adult Services provide?
• Who can use Haringey's HIV/AIDS service?
• Where to find us
• Other assistance

How can HIV be passed on?

A diagnosis of HIV affects you, your family, partner and friends. It can be passed on in the following ways:

• unprotected sexual intercourse - vaginal, oral or anal without using a condom
• sharing contaminated needles, syringes and 'works'
• from an infected mother to her baby during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding
• from contaminated blood or blood products.

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What do Adult Services provide?

We provide a wide range of support, advice and information to people infected with or affected by HIV or AIDS. Services include care management, home care support, housing advice, welfare rights advice, infant feeding project, nutritional advice and social work support.

You may feel the need to discuss your fears and anxieties. It may be difficult to talk about your thoughts and feelings with your family. We run a confidential drop-in centre - with crèche - offering support and advice on welfare rights, housing, social care, refreshments and some laundry facilities.

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Who can use Haringey's HIV/AIDS service?

If you are a Haringey resident and think this service could help you, you should contact the service direct by telephone, letter or fax. Referrals can also be made by:

• family members
• voluntary sector groups
• other health and social care professionals.

You will need to provide your:

• name, address and date of birth
• proof of immigration status (if not a resident)
• family details
• letter of diagnosis and details of treatment centre
• consultant's details
• consent.

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Where to find us

HIV Team

40 Cumberland Road
Wood Green
London
N22 7SG
Tel 020 8489 5970
Fax 020 8489 3032
Email PhysDisDuty@haringey.gov.uk
Opening hours Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm

HIV/AIDS Drop-In

Winkfield Resource Centre
33 Winkfield Road
London
N22 5RP
Tel 020 8489 0396
Opening hours Friday 11am - 4pm

Disabled access: Yes

For further information about this service contact: HIV Team, 40 Cumberland Road

Additional information: The drop-in centre offers advice and support to those placed by other boroughs in Haringey (for example, by the Homeless Persons Unit or National Asylum Seekers Service).

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Other assistance

• National Aids Helpline, telephone 0800 567 123
• For other languages, telephone 0800 717 2227

Useful External Links

The following links are not part of the Haringey Council website. Please read our legal disclaimer before using these links

• Ensuring Positive Futures: an innovative employability programme for people living with HIV in the UK

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