The number of new HIV diagnoses among straight men is higher than among gay and bisexual men for the first time in a decade, new data shows.
In 2020, in England, half of all new HIV infekcija HIV infections were detected in heterosexual people (50%), compared to 45% detected in gay and bisexual men..
A., a straight man who was diagnosed with HIV about 12 years ago, talks about HIV with the aim of fighting the stigma of this virus.
“I just got into a new relationship after my divorce and before that I was dating and having fun because I was single again. I went for regular check-ups and tests, not because I thought I was in danger or something was wrong, but I felt I needed to do it.”
Preconceptions about HIV
"And that's how I found out." The nurse was horrible and unskilled, I just remember her telling me, “There's no easy way to say this, but you're HIV positive. I collapsed when I heard the news."
At the time A. found out about his status – as a heterosexual man in his 30s – he had not been informed and educated about HIV at all, and that all he could think about was the memorable tombstone flyer from the 1980s that read: 'AIDS: Don't die of ignorance.'
„"Before, I just thought, this virus can't affect me." It affects only homosexuals and people from Africa," explained A.
"When I was diagnosed, I just thought: I'm going to die."
When Alan was diagnosed, he said it was at a time when the virus was not being treated until his condition became much closer to AIDS - which in his case was about two years later.
HIV treatment today
"Everything has progressed since then, now you start treatment the week of your diagnosis." The treatment stops the virus before it has a chance to affect the body.”
"HIV is no longer a death sentence, it is a treatable condition." There are a lot worse things you could get.'
The first decline in the number of new HIV diagnoses among gay and bisexual men was recorded in 2014 and has continued every year since.
Experts believe this decline is a result of the increasing availability of the HIV prevention pill PrEP and the targeted promotion of routine HIV testing over the past decade.
This type of prevention in our country is provided byPotentin its premises in Kragujevac, Belgrade and Niš.
C., 49, was diagnosed with HIV in 2003 after finding HIV treatment in her then-boyfriend's bedside drawer.
"I never thought the result would be positive, but it was." He must not have been taking his medication correctly or regularly enough because he wouldn't have been able to give me HIV if that was the case.”
Voluntary and confidential counseling and testing
"But I'm glad I found them because otherwise I never would have gotten tested." I never even thought about testing before. I was devastated at the time, but I went to counseling and learned that an HIV diagnosis is nowhere near the death sentence I thought it was.".”
"I was lucky to be alerted, a lot of people don't get tested until they're sick."
She said she was "very shocked" by her diagnosis and previously had "shameful attitudes" about HIV - but is educated and informed now that she is "on the other side of it and knows that anyone can be affected by HIV".
The importance of timely diagnosis
Straight people are also much more likely to be diagnosed late, meaning that damage to their immune systems has already begun at that stage.
More than half (51%) of women, 55% of heterosexual men and 66% of those aged 65 and over diagnosed with HIV in 2020 were diagnosed at a late stage. This compares to just 29% of gay and bisexual men.
A. adds: "One of the biggest problems with HIV now is late diagnosis - someone who has lived with HIV for a long time and their status is unknown."
"Because heterosexual men are not classified as at risk, they are not tested. Heterosexual women are in the same problem."
Anyone can be affected
"If you're sexually active, it should be like going to the dentist every few months." Getting checked for STDs should be like going to the dentist.”
"If, like me, you've never been tested for HIV, then I'd say do it. Most people will get a negative result, but it's important to know for sure because undiagnosed HIV is bad for future help and treatment, and it can be passed on."
"Anyone can be affected and we all need to be aware of how to protect ourselves." Now the treatment I'm taking means that HIV can't be detected in my blood, which means I can't pass it on.'
"People are saying nasty things about the virus that are not based on reality. But burying your head in the sand about any problem is not good. HIV infection is simply a medical condition.'
Stigma and discrimination of HIV+ persons
A. adds that stigma is "one of the hardest parts" of HIV and stresses the importance of education among straight as well as gay people.
He said he was once asked if he needed a risk assessment to work with children, people often think he's hiding that he's gay, and he's also had people get up and walk away from the table when told of his status while in a meeting .
However, A. says that when he reconnected with school sweetheart Marie – now his wife with three children – it was different, because she was educated about what it meant to have HIV and didn't treat it as a death sentence.
A., who is an engineer by profession but currently takes care of their two children full-time, states, "There are many people I know who are positive and have not told anyone in their inner circle, their family, children or to someone at work.
"They are petrified of anyone finding out - even to the point where they carry their empty pill boxes across town."
"That's what we have to fight against - that people feel the need to hide." We need to make therapy as normal as it is with insulin for diabetes."„
He added that he feels more support is needed for HIV-positive straight people - especially for men, given the disproportionate rate of suicide among men in general - to encourage more people like him to speak out.
A. has come a long way since the diagnosis.
"I took something that I was so afraid of - that scared me to death - and I turned it into a way that I could help people."
"During the years of counseling, I had to take a very deep look at who I was, and I turned back into the person I wanted to be, and that was one of the biggest pluses."
"I went down to the deepest, darkest hole you can imagine, but I dug myself out, and that, in turn, with the support of my wife and children, allows me to help as many people as possible."
Source: metro.co.uk