HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) is launching a walk-in Fast Test clinic at Kilburn to help young people in North West London combat increasing levels of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

The service, run in partnership with Camden PCT, encourages young people to take control of their sexual health by providing a friendly, welcoming space that offers a range of sexual health and family planning services, including simple tests for chlamydia, HIV and other STIs.

In 2007, those in the 16-24 age bracket accounted for nearly half of all STIs in the UK, and approximately one in ten under 25s in the UK currently has chlamydia without being aware that they have it. Part of the reason chlamydia is so widespread is that most people with the infection have no symptoms, and it only takes one sexual encounter to pass it on. If left untreated chlamydia can lead to serious health problems, including infertility.

The chlamydia test offered by THT’s Fast Test clinic involves taking a urine sample which is then posted off to the lab; results are available within a week.  For those who test positive, THT will provide antibiotics to treat the infection free of charge. HIV tests can be taken using a finger-prick blood test, and the results provided within an hour. The clinic also offers information and advice on STIs and safer sex to young people, as well as giving out free condoms, the contraceptive pill and contraceptive injection.
Adam Wilkinson, London Operations Manager for THT said: “As far as good sexual health is concerned, going for regular check-ups is just as important as using condoms. We know that a lot of young people feel nervous about visiting sexual health services, which is why we’ve made the whole process at our Fast Test clinic at Kilburn as quick and easy as possible. Sessions are free, with no need for an appointment, and so we hope young people in the area will be encouraged to come along and take control of their sexual health.”

The Fast Test service takes place at Kilburn Youth Centre, 12-22 Kilburn High Road
London, NW6 5UH. Sessions take place every Saturday between 12.00pm and 3.00pm. For further information, please contact THT on 0845 12 21 200.

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