Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Shutterstock/science photo

Leo Varadkar has called for an increase in HIV testing in Ireland

With the number of new positive test cases on the increase HIV Ireland has echoed the health minister’s words.

HEALTH MINISTER LEO Varadkar has called for an increase in the levels of HIV testing in Ireland.

Speaking at a Health Sector Consultation event in Dublin Castle this morning Varadkar spoke of the importance of more and sustained actions on HIV testing.

So far in 2015 there has been an increase of 16% (301 up from 259) in the numbers of new HIV cases compared with the first eight months of 2014.

Speaking to TheJournal.ie Niall Mulligan, executive director of support group HIV Ireland, welcomed Varadkar’s call and said that it is of paramount importance to get as many people as possible tested.

Ireland has seen some 7,000 people newly diagnosed with HIV since the early 1980s.

“30% of people who have HIV don’t realise they have it,” Mulligan said.

The sooner everyone gets tested the sooner we can take steps to ensure there’s no onwards transmission.
Right now numbers are on the rise but we don’t know if that’s because of an increase in testing or because more people are contracting the virus.

The first quarter of 2015 saw a rise in the number of people contracting HIV in Ireland via the injection of drugs.

“We’ve seen a blip this year because of drug testing but I would hope that it is caused by an increase in testing itself rather than because more people are contracting,” says Mulligan.

HIV testing is available free of charge at more than 20 sites around the country.

Read: Too embarrassed to see a doc? Now you can test for almost any STI from your bedroom

Read: HIV clinic accidentally reveals identity of 780 clients

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
25 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe Bloggs
    Favourite Joe Bloggs
    Report
    Aug 2nd 2015, 5:20 PM

    Straight women prefer men with a more masculine face while straight men prefer women with more feminine features? Brilliant research this.

    322
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Trea Lynch
    Favourite Trea Lynch
    Report
    Aug 2nd 2015, 5:07 PM

    Women do NOT show off a pout!!!!

    233
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Spud
    Favourite Spud
    Report
    Aug 2nd 2015, 5:22 PM

    “Women, show off a pout.”

    This is one of the reasons I will swipe left on someone.

    191
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cabe™
    Favourite Cabe™
    Report
    Aug 2nd 2015, 5:59 PM

    Agreed… when I was on it I would swipe left/no if there was a pouting photo as their main photo, regardless of how pretty they were!

    79
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciabhán Ó Murchú
    Favourite Ciabhán Ó Murchú
    Report
    Aug 2nd 2015, 6:16 PM

    Pout – otherwise known as duck face. Makes most look ridiculous

    5
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciabhán Ó Murchú
    Favourite Ciabhán Ó Murchú
    Report
    Aug 2nd 2015, 7:02 PM

    Pout – otherwise known as duck face. Makes most look absolutely ridiculous

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Powerful Sayings
    Favourite Powerful Sayings
    Report
    Aug 2nd 2015, 5:09 PM

    The amount of women on it asking you to check them out on private cams is shocking.

    96
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Supernova
    Favourite Supernova
    Report
    Aug 2nd 2015, 5:19 PM

    I’m not on it myself but I’d say there’s nothing but bots on the the app. I’m sure shinner o bot is fan

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute little jim
    Favourite little jim
    Report
    Aug 2nd 2015, 5:55 PM

    I want swipe rights and I want then now!!

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jack DaCosta
    Favourite Jack DaCosta
    Report
    Aug 2nd 2015, 7:40 PM

    I’m a man….. (either that or a woman who’s really let herself go)
    Having a beard can tell you a lot about women.
    Women who like beards are more likely to be bisexual so it’s easier to get them to have threesomes.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jack DaCosta
    Favourite Jack DaCosta
    Report
    Aug 2nd 2015, 7:42 PM

    And easier to get rid of them.
    Just shave and presto! …they disappear.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pat O'Hanrahanrahan
    Favourite Pat O'Hanrahanrahan
    Report
    Aug 3rd 2015, 9:29 AM

    pics or it didn’t happen

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stanley Aziegbe
    Favourite Stanley Aziegbe
    Report
    Aug 5th 2015, 4:49 AM

    After being in relationship with him for 3 years, he broke up with me, I did everything possible to bring him back but all was in vain, I wanted him back so much because of the love I have for him, I begged him with everything, I made promises but he refused. I explained my problem to someone online and she suggested that I should rather contact a spell caster that could help me cast a spell to bring him back but I am the type that never believed in spell, I had no choice than to try it, I mailed the spell caster, and he told me there was no problem that everything will be okay before three days, that my ex will return to me before three days, he cast the spell and surprisingly in the second day, it was around 4pm. My ex called me, I was so surprised, I answered the call and all he said was that he was so sorry for everything that happened, that he wanted me to return to him, that he loves me so much. I was so happy and went to him, that was how we started living together happily again. Since then, I have made promise that anybody I know that have a relationship problem, I would be of help to such person by referring him or her to the only real and powerful spell caster who helped me with my own problem and who is different from all the fake ones out there. Anybody could need the help of the spell caster, his email is email:( Drossuva@gmail.com ) or website: http:drossolution.webs.com you can email him if you need his assistance in your relationship or any other problem.
    //////////

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds