People in NSW can now test for HIV infection at the convenience of their own home. 

The NSW government launched the new Dried Blood Spot (DBS) HIV Testing Service from the December 1; the World AIDS Day. 

The DBS HIV test will allow people to order the test online, take a sample and send it back by mail. It replaces the need to visit a clinic. The DBS HIV test is free, convenient and private. Test results are received by phone, text message or e-mail. 

This is part of the NSW government’s initiative to virtually eliminate HIV transmission by 2020. 
“Around 9,800 people in NSW live with HIV but around sever per cent are unaware they are infected. We must- and will- change this,” Health Minister Jillian Sinner said. 

The government is slowly achieving the virtual elimination of HIV, with only 70 new HIV diagnoses in NSW. It is the lowest number in more than four years.  

“It’s encouraging to see the four measures of success in the fight against HIV- prevention, testing, new diagnoses and treatment- are all heading in the right direction,” Mrs Skinner said. 

Pre-exposure prohylaxis (PrEP) treatment is also available as a HIV preventative option. It involves high HIV infection risk patients taking preventative medication daily. 

It already involves 4000 patients, with the association with 21 NSW clinics. 

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