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A record number of people have HIV in India, with many unaware they’ve contracted the virus. And don’t assume this affects only gay men and intravenous drug users — several heterosexuals are currently being treated for HIV. Most worryingly, a report reveals that almost a third of HIV-positive people are being diagnosed late, when their immune systems have already been compromised. It’s possible to be infected for around 10 years without realizing it.

Late diagnosis danger

The virus attacks the immune system, leaving the sufferer open to infections and vulnerable to potentially fatal pneumonia and certain cancers. How quickly you get treatment can mean the difference between life and death. Research by UKs National AIDS Trust charity shows that those diagnosed late are 10 times more likely to die within the first year of being diagnosed than those treated early. Treatment helps the body suppress the virus, and those who get treated early can have a normal life expectancy and a reasonably normal lifestyle. Earlier this year, the National AIDS Trust’s survey on public attitudes towards HIV, involving nearly 2,000 UK adults, revealed that a third of respondents admitted they did not know enough about HIV risks.

Here’s how to protect yourself:

Stay safe always

Use a condom with a new partner. A woman is twice as likely to contract HIV from heterosexual sex than a man. Women are more vulnerable because they have a greater area of exposed tissue (the cervix and the vagina) than men. It’s easy for tears to occur unnoticed during sex, providing an easy pathway for infection. HIV is transmitted through body fluids, including blood, semen and vaginal secretions. If you’re in a new relationship, keep using condoms until you’ve both been tested for HIV.

Be wary of anal sex in new relationships

Anal sex carries a far greater risk of HIV than vaginal sex because the tissue in this area is much more delicate and likely to tear, allowing infection.

Be extra vigilant on holiday

A high number of heterosexual infections are caught abroad. Don’t delay testing. If you think there’s a chance you may have HIV, get tested right away. The earlier you’re diagnosed and treated, the better the outlook. You also need to know so you can avoid spreading it to other sexual partners.

Get help with drug problems

Never share needles for recreational drugs. If you’re worried about how you’ll deal with bad news, ask for pre-test counselling. And if you don’t want to talk to your family doctor, get tested anonymously at your nearest clinic. In bigger cities, it’s possible to get preventive HIV treatment within 72 hours of having unprotected sex with someone you know is HIV-positive. However, this treatment, known as PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) isn’t guaranteed to work and isn’t prescribed lightly as it needs to be taken for a month and can have severe side effects, including sickness and diarrhoea.

DAILY MIRROR

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