Our new Coronavirus Helpline is live between 10am - 6pm, Monday to Friday. Dial 0131 558 3713.

Find the most up-to-date information on our new minisite - www.hiv.scot/coronavirus

• The British HIV Association have published a useful Q&A guide, answering some common questions about HIV and Coronavirus. Click here.
• The Brownlee Clinic have issued some guidance for people living with HIV - this covers information about clinic appointments & who to contact -  Click here to download.
• Waverley Care have suspended in-person support services. If you were accessing support, mechanisms have been put in place to allow you to continue. Check out their website for more information.
• The latest Scottish Government advice can be found here

Physical distancing means:

• Avoid contact with someone who is displaying symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19). These symptoms include high temperature and/or new and continuous cough; 
• Avoid non-essential use of public transport, varying your travel times to avoid rush hour when possible. 
• Work from home, where possible. Your employer should support you to do this. 
• Avoid large gatherings, and gatherings in small public spaces such as pubs, cinemas, restaurants, bars and clubs. 
• Avoid gatherings with friends and family. Keep in touch using remote technology such as phone, internet, and social media. 
• Use telephone or online services to contact your GP or other essential services. 

The recommended methods to protect yourself from COVID-19 are as follows;

• Washing your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. Here is a video from the World Health Organisation demonstrating best practice.
• Avoiding touching your face (mouth, nose and eyes) and maintaining distance from people who are coughing or sneezing.
• Ensuring that people living with HIV have received their influenza and pneumococcal vaccination in line with BHIVA vaccine guidelines.
• Keep up to date and heed the advise of local health officials

If you present symptoms (which usually appear within 2-14 days of being exposed to the virus), In the UK, the medical advice is that if you have recently travelled from areas affected by coronavirus, you should:

• stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would with the flu
• call NHS 111 to inform them of your recent travel to the area

More NHS advice on what to do if you think you have been exposed to the virus can be found on NHS Inform, and the full travel advice to UK nationals is available here.