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HIV in the UK: facts and statisticsHIV is one of the fastest growing serious health conditions in the UK. There are now more people living with HIV in the UK than ever before, over a quarter of whom don’t know they have the virus. |  |
Blood and blood products
HIV transmission through blood and blood products is extremely rare in the UK, as we have a very safe blood supply. The introduction of a viral inactivation system in 1985 and of regulations restricting donations to the National Blood Service (NBS) have been very successful.
You can find out more about our stance on these restrictions here.
Blood-related diagnoses do still occur in the UK, but they can usually be traced to exposure in countries that do not employ the same safety techniques.
Statistics
Up to the end of 2008, 1,928 people had been infected with HIV through blood or tissue transfer. Approximately 80% of cases were diagnosed before 1992. The majority of recent diagnoses are attributed to infections acquired outside of the UK.
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