HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust is launching a new website today aimed at gay men recently diagnosed with HIV. The interactive site called ‘What next?’ www.tht.org.uk/whatnext  provides information and support specifically for newly diagnosed gay men. 

In 2006, around 2,700 gay men were diagnosed with HIV in the UK, but when diagnosed many people feel quite alone. To address this, the site is written from the perspective of men already living with HIV and includes diaries and video clips of men describing their personal experiences and offering tips and advice. 

Topics covered by the website include finding out, telling people, health, sex and love, dealing with medical staff and information on HIV, treatment and transmission. There is a quiz to test knowledge and an option to ask an anonymous question on any aspect of HIV.

Marc Thompson, Deputy Head of Health Promotion at Terrence Higgins Trust said “Being diagnosed with HIV can make people feel like they’re on an emotional roller coaster. Many people are left feeling quite alone or feel like they have hundreds of questions to ask.  This site aims to give all the practical information gay men might want after they’ve been diagnosed, but also gives personal accounts of what it’s actually like living with HIV day to day. Advice and tips from men who’ve been through the same thing can be invaluable.”

Newly diagnosed gay men were involved in the development of the website and focus groups were held with men who all received their HIV diagnosis within the last year. The groups suggested they’d like a personal focus to the site, that they would like to ask questions via the site and that the information given shouldn’t be too detailed or complex.

What next? is funded by the Department of Health. The site complements a range of other services and resources for gay men living with HIV including U+, a lifestyle magazine for gay men living with HIV, group work and online outreach services. 

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