Is it true that 1 in 9 people have HIV?

No, that's not accurate. The number of people living with HIV in the UK is much lower than 1 in 9.

Around 100,000 people in the UK are living with HIV, out of a population of over 67 million. That's roughly 1 in 670, not 1 in 9.

The "1 in 9" figure you might have heard probably comes from a different stat: globally, about 1 in 9 people who have HIV don't know they have it. That's about undiagnosed cases, not about how common HIV is overall. It's easy to mix up.

HIV is a serious infection, but in the UK it's relatively uncommon compared to other STIs like chlamydia or gonorrhoea. And with modern treatment, people with HIV can live long, healthy lives and reach the point where they can't pass the virus on.

If you're worried about HIV, getting tested is free and confidential at any sexual health clinic.

No, that is not true. The number of people with HIV in the UK is much lower than 1 in 9.

About 100,000 people in the UK have HIV, out of over 67 million. That is roughly 1 in 670.

The 1 in 9 figure you might have heard is about something different. Worldwide, about 1 in 9 people who have HIV do not know they have it. That is about undiagnosed cases, not about how common HIV is overall.

HIV is a serious infection but in the UK it is not very common compared to other STIs. With modern treatment, people with HIV live long, healthy lives.

If you are worried, getting tested is free at any sexual health clinic.