Calls For Better Education Of HIV In The North East

Many people living with HIV in the North East are terrified that others will find out.

That is the message from Newcastle University Lecturer Paul Attinello.

He is HIV positive and set up a support group for sufferers in 2003.

Paul's message comes after actor Charlie Sheen revealed he was told he was HIV positive four years ago and has even been blackmailed.

Paul told Metro Radio better education of the condition could mean more people would speak openly about it.

"In the North East there has always been a lot of people who are really lonely and really worried. It's got such a big impact. In bigger cities there is more anonymity I guess, in Newcastle there is always that big worry of what if anybody finds out I'm positive? ... If somebody has a son, they don't want the son's school getting in a panic about this. Others I think it must be just personal, and it can be associated with gay communities and a lot of our hetrosexual members of the group tend to be a lot more worried."

Paul set up support group the Patient Participation Team in 2003 - you can read more about what they do HERE