Take her

HIV cannot be passed directly from the father to the baby. 

People who have HIV and have been on treatment for more than six months and have an undetectable viral load like Josh in the film cannot pass the virus on and can expect to live as long as anyone else. Because Josh has an undetectable viral load he can’t pass on HIV to his partner. 

Mother-to-child transmission in the UK is extremely rare (and occurs in fewer than 1% of cases) because of HIV testing in antenatal clinics, the impact of effective HIV treatment and not breastfeeding. What to be aware of if you're thinking about having a baby.

PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a drug taken by HIV-negative people before and after sex that reduces the risk of getting HIV. You do not need to take PrEP if, like Simone in the film, you know your partner is HIV positive and has an undetectable viral load. 

As the doctor in the film says, HIV medication does not prevent you from getting other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) so it’s a good idea to have a full sexual health screening before having any sex without a condom. Find this and other tips on how to have a healthy sex life. 

There are many misunderstandings that still surround HIV, some of which are mentioned by Simone in the film, such as the difference between HIV and AIDS. Learn what's fact, and what's not.

The only way to know your HIV status is to get tested. If you’ve never tested or it’s been more than a year since your last test, then it’s a good idea to test now. People can live for years unaware that they have it. Most HIV transmissions are from people who don’t know they have the virus and have unprotected sex.

Should you be diagnosed like Josh, you will be put on HIV treatment straight away as the sooner you start treatment the better it is for your health. 

HIV treatment is free of charge in the UK to all who need it regardless of citizenship or immigration status. 

It’s never been easier to get an HIV test and to get a result quickly. You can get a test in person or order tests online, with free and paid-for options. Many tests will provide you with a result in just a few minutes. If you would like to know more about the kinds of tests available and where you can get them our website can help you.

< Go back to beginning

If you would like to speak in confidence with someone about issues raised from this film, call THT direct on 0800 802 1221 or click the ‘speak to somebody’ button at the bottom of your phone screen.

These films are dramatisations made with actors and all details have been anonymised to protect the identities of all those who took part in the creative process. Throughout the making of these films people from black African communities have been consulted on an ongoing basis to ensure they reflect real life situations.