Almost 100 of these live in the city of Preston and six of them are children.

But experts believe this is just the tip of the iceberg, and estimate there are at least another 56 people living in Central Lancashire – around 32 in Preston – who unknowingly have the virus and could be spreading it to others.

The information came to light today – World Aids Day – and has prompted local health chiefs to urge more people to get themselves tested for HIV so they can be treated before the disease develops.

The theme for World Aids Day 2008 is Respect and Protect and aims to help transform attitudes to HIV and encourage actions which will prevent it being transmitted.

Figures for 2007 reveal that there were 169 people with HIV, accessing services in Central Lancashire – a 40% increase in five years.
There were 19 new cases of HIV diagnosed across Central Lancashire during 2007, 14 of these in Preston.

The increase is believed to be due to more screening, new diagnoses and very few deaths occurring from HIV.

Peter Channon, Lancashire HIV services co-ordinator, who was diagnosed with HIV eight years ago, said: "There are just under 100 people living with HIV in Preston today.

"But we predict that there are an additional third of people who have HIV who are undiagnosed – which means another 32 in Preston alone.
"The biggest problem we have is people not being tested for HIV and so not knowing if they have it or not.

"HIV is a bit like cancer, the earlier you are diagnosed, the better your prognosis.

"The danger is that if you have HIV and are not diagnosed and put on medication when you need it, you are more likely to pass the infection on.

"The risk is that people who have HIV and are not aware of it could be unknowingly passing it on to others."

Many people wrongly believe that HIV only affects the gay community. But the virus affects people from all walks of life and, in Preston, the majority people who have HIV are heterosexual.

Of the 96 cases in Preston, 66 are men and 30 are women and there are four children in the city who are HIV positive. More than half the cases are heterosexual.

Mr Channon said: "HIV is a virus which does not discriminate or make moral judgments about who it strikes.

"It doesn't make a difference if you are gay or straight.

"It is good that more people are coming forward to be tested for HIV, as once you are diagnosed, your life expectancy is like that of a normal person.

"The worry is if people are going undiagnosed, and we would reinforce the safe sex message and urge people to get tested for HIV."

If you have any concerns about HIV or AIDS, contact CLASS (Central Lancashire HIV & AIDS Support Service) on: 01772 253840.
You can also contact the specialist nurses at Preston GUM clinic on: 01772 522814.

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