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.

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How is HIV 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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HIV Testing

We have a range of services that provide free rapid HIV testing:

ServiceContact Details
Amy Pharmacy

53 Park Road, Crouch End, N8 8SY

Tel: 020 8348 9301

Beauty Chem

11 Great Cambridge Rd, Tottenham, N17 7LH

Tel: 020 8808 4015

Coopers Pharmacy

59a Broad Lane, Tottenham, N15 4DJ

Tel: 020 8808 0422

Greenlight Pharmacy

4 Grand Parade, Haringey, N4 1JX

Tel: 020 8800 1638

Greenwoods Pharmacy

17 The Broadway , Wood Green, N22 6DS

Tel: 020 8888 1605

Pharmacy Express

214 High Road Wood Green, N22 8HH

Tel: 020 8888 1669

Petter Pharmacy

49/51 The Broadway, Crouch End, N8 8DT

Tel: 020 8340 4772

Pharmocare 575

575-577 High Road,N17 6SB

Tel: 020 8808 3291

Santas Pharmacy

182 Stroud Green Road, Haringey, N4 3RN

Tel: 020 7272 1591

Safedale Pharmacy

491-493 Seven Sisters Road,N15 6EP

Tel: 020 8800 4876

The Cadge Pharmacy

105 Philip Lane, Tottenham, N15 4JR

Tel: 020 8808 2740

Or visit the Embrace UK Community Support Centre:

Under 25s can also visit our Young Peoples' Sexual health Clinics - or call 020 3317 5252 to book an appointment.

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PrEP

PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, is an HIV prevention method that can stop HIV from taking hold and spreading throughout your body.

PrEP is prescribed to HIV-negative adults and adolescents who are at high risk for getting HIV through sex or injection drug use.

For more information go to:

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Other useful organisations

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Page last updated:

February 3, 2023