A HIV sufferer from Lancashire who contracted the condition after being sexually assaulted has urged those at risk to get tested.

Today is World AIDS Day and sexual health experts are looking to improve East Lancashire’s historically poor take-up rates.

One woman who lives with HIV, named only as Jane, has added her support to the campaign.

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The 42-year-old was the victim of a sex attack more than a decade ago, and was tested for other possible transmitted infections.

But she only discovered she was HIV positive after being admitted to a hospital intensive care unit with pneumonia.

Jane said: “There’s a lot of stigma around getting tested, but I would advise people that if you’re in doubt, then just get tested.

“There is a lot of ignorance around HIV and AIDS. I’m from the era when the HIV and AIDS tombstone adverts were appearing on telly.

“To be honest, I didn’t know much about it and I still think people need educating a lot more about it. There is a life after being diagnosed. The HIV clinic is great, they’re very good and provide fantastic advice.

“I couldn’t wish for a better team or nursing staff to help me along with this condition.”

She has also praised the assistance offered by county support groups, which can be contacted via GUM (genito-urinary medicine) clinics.

Lyne Park, of Lancashire Care’s contraception and sexual health service, said: “The earlier the condition is identified, the better the health outcomes.

“Early diagnosis is the way forward to successfully managing HIV. However, the most effective way of reducing HIV prevalence is prevention.

“We urge everyone, especially with the festive period approaching and the increase in alcohol consumption and lowering of inhibitions, to be aware of the importance of practising safer sex to reduce the risk of transmission of sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancies.”

The national benchmark for testing is 94.8 per cent, with Lancashire’s figure just 91.7 per cent.

But this drops to just 66.3 per cent among women in Hyndburn and only 54.4 per cent of men in Burnley. Testing among homosexual men is broadly around the UK average.