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Coronavirus (COVID-19) and HIV
Responses to common questions from the British HIV Association (BHIVA)
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Sexual Health West (Formerly AIDS West)
We offer the highest quality care and support to those affected
by HIV/AIDS/STIs and to those worried about their sexual health. -
Empowering You
We aim to empower those living with HIV to optimise
their health and wellbeing
Support Services
Key Facts about HIV
If you have HIV, the earlier you know about it the better. Treatment is excellent at delaying and preventing the onset of AIDS, but it is not as successful if the test is taken so late that the disease is already very advanced.
If you have had a high risk of exposure to HIV, you can get free emergency treatment from an Infectious Disease Clinic. This can reduce your chance of acquiring the infection. Called Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), it must be taken within 72 hours to be affective.
Anyone testing HIV positive is entitled to free HIV care and treatment. The best place to receive this is at a specialised clinic where specially trained doctors will manage your care and advise you if and when treatment is needed.
Your HIV clinic won’t tell anyone that you have had an HIV test without your permission.
The use of anti-HIV treatment, having a caesarean delivery, and not breastfeeding can reduce the risk of a mother passing on HIV to her baby to less than 1%.
Even though there’s no cure for HIV, doctors are now hopeful that you can live a more or less normal lifespan if you take a combination of anti-HIV drugs.
Welcome to Sexual Health West!
Here you will find useful information and support in relation to all aspects of HIV/AIDS as well as STIs and sexual health.
Sexual Health West (formerly AIDS West) Is A Voluntary Organisation Primarily Funded By HSE West.
We offer the highest quality care and support to those affected by HIV/AIDS/STIs and to those worried about their sexual health.
Founded in 1987, we are based in Galway City, Ireland. We offer the highest quality care and support to those affected by HIV/AIDS/STIs and to those worried about their sexual health. We also offer information and education on all aspects of sexual health.
The organisation has expanded from a small group of dedicated volunteers who gathered together to assist HIV positive people in their final days, to a team of professional, committed people who strive to offer care and support to HIV positive people, their families and carers. All our services are completely confidential. We provide these services and support throughout the counties of Galway, Mayo and Roscommon and adjacent areas.
Latest News
Strategies to suppor...
Findings from qualitative research with clinical and community practitioners
COVID-19 Resources i...
How to keep up to date on Galway City Resources and Response to COVID-19
HIV Ireland current ...
Current national and international news about HIV
UNAIDS Press Release...
UNAIDS calls for increase in health spending and social protection as an essential part of...
'Sexual Health ...
Sexual Health West feature in Galway Advertiser discussing Condom/Lube Campaign
Support services for...
Articles, videos, animations and audio developed by Jigsaw Clinicians will be uploaded her...
UNAIDS NEWSLETTER ...
Latest newsletter from UNAIDS. Great information about people living with HIV need to know...
Free condoms and lub...
Sexual Health West are offering a FREE mail service of condoms and lubricant to make sure ...
EACS & BHIVA Stateme...
So far there is no evidence for a higher COVID-19 infection rate or different disease cour...
Sex and coronavirus ...
Important information regarding sex and COVID-19
Supporting the Commu...
The COVID-19 outbreak is a challenge for individuals and communities across Ireland. In th...
What people living w...
Precautions that people living with HIV and key populations should follow to prevent COVI...
Coronavirus (COVID-1...
Responses to common questions from the British HIV Association (BHIVA)
OFFICE CLOSURE
Sexual Health West offices closed until further notice. Helpline still active on 086-024...
Wiser Information E...
Maam Cross Wiser Parents Information Evening cancelled due to status Orange weather warnin...
Upcoming play - The ...
Showing Friday 31st January at 2pm at the O'Donoghue Centre for Drama, Theatre and Pe...
Volunteers Needed fo...
Help raise funds for Sexual Health West and Domestic Violence Response on Shop Street!
Upcoming show by Nei...
Come along, have a laugh and support Sexual Health West at the same time!
HSE Helplines Christ...
HSE provide both the Drugs and Alcohol Helpline and the HIV and Sexual Health Helpline ser...
Get Tested: March 20...
FREE Confidential rapid HIV testing dates for the ending 30th March 2018.
Get Tested: February...
FREE Confidential rapid HIV testing dates for the ending 29th February 2018.
World Aids Day Candl...
St. Nicholas Collegiate Church, Galway at 7pm
HIV & AGEING Confere...
1st December 2018. To book a place visit www.eventbrite.ie or call 091 566266
GiGSoc are hosting o...
GiGSoc are hosting one of the regional LGBTQI+ Strategies for people ages 15-24 years of a...
National HIV Stigma ...
This study is being undertaken by HIV Ireland in partnership with The Mater Misericordiae ...
AIDS West to offer F...
AIDS West are to offer Free Confidential Rapid HIV Testing on the last Tuesday of each mon...
AIDS West are to lau...
AIDS West are to launch a FREE Rapid HIV Testing Service on Tuesday 29th November 2016 fro...
Get Tested Today
Everyone has a HIV status, Update yours.
World AIDS Day Candl...
World AIDS Day Candlelit Memorial Concert Thursday 1st December 2016 in St. Nicholas’ Co...
FREE Screening : CHE...
FREE Screening : CHEMSEX, the Documentary Tickets, Thu, Nov 10, 2016 at 7:30 PM | Eventbri...
ChemSex in Ireland T...
This training will address ChemSex contexts/motivations, risk assessments, harm reduc...
Welcome to the HIV S...
For individuals living with HIV there can be many challenges that are not health-related. ...
OMG GONORRHOEA ITS T...
Gonorrhoea is a common Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) and is increasing among young ...
Welcome to the World...
While there has been a significant and welcome improvement in treatment for HIV, concern r...
World Aids Day Candl...
St. Nicholas Collegiate Church, Galway at 7pm
WISER Parenting Semi...
Thursday 17th September 7-9pm
Speaking Volumes –...
An exhibition with a difference will be on show at the Galway City Library during this mon...
Let’s Talk About S...
We asked you about your sex life and 12,639 of you answered, giving us a snapshot of what ...
British public still...
Less than half (45%) of the British public understand how HIV is and isn’t transmitted, ...
World AIDS Day Candl...
World AIDS Day Candlelit Memorial Service at St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church at 8:00pm o...
HIV positive men tre...
Gay Irishmen ‘shun’ friends who admit they’ve contracted the virus
Illegal “iCARE” ...
Safety Notice SN2014(25) in relation to Illegal “iCARE” self test kits (including HIV ...
Ireland’s second N...
The theme of this year’s SHAW is Communication and Sexual Health because honest, support...
Future HIV care will...
IV treatment in the coming years will include novel antiretroviral agents and new formulat...
Gay man alleges prej...
A young gay man says he has been the victim of discrimination by the Irish Blood Transfusi...
People with HIV stil...
People with HIV continue to experience stigma, discrimination and isolation, according to ...
Wear a Red Ribbon.
AIDS West will be on the streets of the city this Saturday distributing red ribbons and cr...
Researchers stop the...
The vaccine did not prevent HIV infection: a non-significant increase in infections in vac...
Special Seminar for ...
The Western Region drugs task force is providing a special seminar on the 5th March for al...
GUMS staging the mus...
Galway University Musical Society (GUMS) this year we are staging the musical ‘RENT’ i...
RTE ONE MONDAY 4th F...
The documentary telling the human stories behind deadly epidemics draws to a close, placin...
Early HIV drugs ‘s...
Giving a patient HIV drugs as soon as they are diagnosed could be the future of treatment,...
HIV/AIDS: The b...
“without a heightened sense of urgency and without collective action, starting in 2013, ...
Cellphones Reshape P...
MUMBAI, India — Millions once bought sex in the narrow alleys of Kamathipura, a vast red...
Latest reported HIV ...
There were 68 new diagnoses of HIV infection notified to the HPSC in Quarter 2 2012. (89 i...
HIV vaccine closer a...
MEDICAL RESEARCH by a team of South African scientists has revealed how two HIV-positive w...
Prostitution clients...
A senior garda in Co Donegal has appealed to anybody who has used the services of prostitu...
Explaining mysteries...
Siobhán O’Higgins is a woman anyone would be glad to have as a partner. Not only is she...
Viral load will be n...
HIV campaigners reacted with dismay today to the issuing of a report by a Norwegian Commis...
Starting HIV treatme...
Serious non-AIDS-defining illnesses are common in people recently diagnosed with HIV, Span...
Sex education '...
Nearly a third of Irish people have not received any form of sexual health education in se...
500 free condoms as ...
Ana Liffey will distribute 500 free condoms as part of the 2012 Durex National Condom Week...
4th Phase of the Nat...
The fourth and final phase of the year-long Man2Man.ie initiative was launched on 4th Octo...