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Thanks To U=U, HIV-positive People Can Live Long, Happy, Healthy Lives
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Let's face it. Receiving the news that you are HIV-positive is not what anyone really wants to hear. But fortunately, with today's many highly effective treatment options, people living with HIV can now enjoy just as long, happy, healthy lives as those living without the virus — including having safe and active sex lives!
Here, we answer some of the most asked questions by people who have just received an HIV diagnosis:
What are the first symptoms of HIV?Initial symptoms of HIV are much like the flu: fatigue, fever, sore throat, body aches, headache, and swollen lymph nodes.
How did I get HIV?You likely acquired the virus by coming into contact with the blood or sexual fluids of someone who is HIV-positive. The most common modes of transmission include unprotected anal or vaginal sex and sharing of IV drug needles.
My partner's test was negative — are they in the clear?Not necessarily. It takes time for what's known as seroconversion to occur, the period after exposure when your body begins to produce the antigens and antibodies HIV tests are looking for. According to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the period between exposure to HIV and seroconversion is variable, but most people will test positive within several weeks of exposure. Still, someone with a just-diagnosed partner should retest in three months to confirm their results.
Is it possible to transmit HIV to my family and friends?No. A lot of fear and misunderstanding still surrounds HIV, even though treatments have advanced in the past decades to the point where it is simply a chronic, treatable illness like diabetes. You, your family, friends, and even casual acquaintances may fear you'll pass HIV to them. But the virus is transmitted via the kind of contact with sexual fluids and blood that you don't generally have with family members and friends. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is clear in stating that HIV is not transmitted via saliva (spitting or kissing) or by sharing a toilet, drinks, or eating utensils.
Is it my fault?No. HIV isn't some kind of divine retribution. It is a virus that is communicable and therefore travels between people. Certain types of activities may increase your risks, but these don't make you responsible for getting sick. We don't blame diabetics for their diabetes even though Type 2 diabetes is preventable, so we needn't assign blame for HIV either.
I thought "tops" couldn't get HIV?Although the receptive partner or "bottom" in anal sex is 13 times more likely to acquire HIV than the "top" or insertive partner, according to the CDC, tops still can and do get HIV from having unprotected sex.
Does being HIV-positive mean I also have AIDS?No. Confusing HIV with AIDS or using the terms interchangeably are some of the most frequent mistakes made by ordinary people and even media outlets. In the U.S., the majority of people living with HIV will never develop AIDS, the most advanced stage. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS, but for most people, proper treatment and regular medical care keep their immune system strong enough to prevent stage 3 HIV and associated illnesses. An AIDS diagnosis only occurs if your CD4 cell count plummets below 200 and your immune system is so damaged that you are susceptible to life-threatening illnesses. Getting on and staying on treatment is the best way to ensure your HIV never develops into AIDS.
Am I going to die?Probably not from HIV. A person diagnosed today has roughly the same life expectancy as a person who is HIV-negative. However, your virus does make you more susceptible to other health problems that you need to be aware of, including cardiovascular disease, kidney problems, and bone density loss. But these can be prevented with lifestyle changes and the right medications.
Why are health outcomes worse for some HIV-positive people?People of color, transgender women, and those living in Southern states continue to have higher mortality rates from HIV-related complications. Some of those disparities have to do with barriers to health care, racial inequalities, discrimination, poverty, substance abuse, and untreated mental health issues. But getting and staying on treatment is the first step in altering those disparities and there are government programs that can help you afford it.
Is there a cure for HIV?Not yet. Although Timothy Brown (or "The Berlin Patient") has continued to live HIV-free for over a decade, he remains the only person to have been functionally cured for such a long period of time. At the 2018 International AIDS Conference in Amsterdam, researchers announced three major strategies scientists are focusing on in seeking a cure for HIV. The first involves reversing HIV latency — making it so the immune system can recognize HIV-infected cells that were previously invisible in reservoirs. This is called "blocking and locking" due to its goal of permanently stopping the virus from reproducing. The second has to do with using a variety of agents, such as neutralizing antibodies, to strengthen the immune system; it would probably require a combination of substances. The third involves genetically engineering cells to make them resistant to HIV or improve their ability to clear HIV-infected cells.
Do I have to take antiretrovirals every day? Forever?Yes and no. Staying on your meds is hugely important, and combining early treatment with continuous adherence is the best way to maintain your long-term health. But doctors and pharmaceutical companies alike realized that maintaining a daily regimen can be a real struggle, so there are now long-acting injectable options as well. Talk to your doctor about which regimen might be best for you, especially if you are having issues adhering to you current one.
What is an undetectable viral load?Those on antiretroviral therapy can see their viral load (the amount of blood detectable in a blood test) reach undetectable levels. Also called viral suppression and defined as reducing the amount of HIV to less than 200 copies/ml, or becoming undetectable, has been proven to prevent HIV transmission.
What does U=U mean?Undetectable equals untransmittable. The global medical community has endorsed research findings that those who are undetectable are no longer able to transmit HIV. The CDC states that "across three different studies, including thousands of couples and many thousand acts of sex without a condom or pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), no HIV transmissions to an HIV-negative partner were observed when the HIV-positive person was virally suppressed. This means that people who take [antiretroviral therapy] daily as prescribed and achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load have effectively no risk of transmitting the virus to an HIV-negative partner."
So, I can throw away my condoms?You probably shouldn't. Even if you are virally suppressed and/or your sexual partners are on PrEP and you aren't concerned about HIV transmission, you are still at risk for contracting other sexually transmitted infections. Getting gonorrhea or syphilis can lead to serious health complications, and new, antibiotic-resistant strains are threatening to heighten their potential to do lasting damage.
Can I still have kids?Yes, you can still have kids if you are HIV-positive. The great news is that if you have your viral load suppressed to undetectable levels you likely won't have to do anything special, as you can no longer transmit the virus. Still, if you are planning to make a baby the old-fashioned way, you should speak with a specialist first. For those whose viral load isn't suppressed, there are specialists who deal with HIV, fertility, and insemination. If you're a woman who is living with unsuppressed HIV, additional medications can also decrease your chance of transmission to your child. If you're a man with detectable HIV, your sperm may need to be "washed" of HIV and then inseminated into your partner, wife, or surrogate. If you want to adopt, there are protections for HIV-positive parents-to-be that ensure you can't be discriminated against by agencies.
Can I still breastfeed?Federal guidelines still currently recommend HIV-positive women not breastfeed and instead rely exclusively on formula. However, according to the CDC "mothers on ART with a sustained undetectable HIV viral load during and after pregnancy, the risk of transmission through breastfeeding is less than 1%, but not zero."
This article originally appeared on HIVplusMag: Thanks to U=U, HIV-positive people can live long, happy, healthy lives
RELATEDDescovy For HIV: What You Need To Know - WebMD
You may have heard about Descovy (des-ko'-vee), a medicine approved by the FDA in 2015. Descovy is approved to treat HIV. It can also help prevent people from getting HIV through sex.
People with HIV have a virus that spreads in their body and damages the immune system, making it easier for them to get very sick from other infections.
The two medicines contained in Descovy (emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide) work together with other medicines to stop the spread of HIV in your body. This helps protect and preserve the immune system and can prevent the virus from being spread to other people.
Descovy is not a complete treatment regimen for HIV. This means that you will need to take it with other medicines to keep the infection under control.
While Descovy (used with other medicine) can help keep the HIV infection under control, it is not a cure.
Many people that do not have HIV may be at risk of getting it through sex. Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, is medicine that people can take to prevent getting HIV.
Descovy, as a single tablet, can be used as PrEP to prevent getting HIV.
Descovy does not protect against or prevent the spread of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like herpes, gonorrhea, or chlamydia.
Several clinical trials have been conducted to see if Descovy is safe and effective for treating people with HIV.
Two studies focused on those who have never been treated for HIV. In these studies, Descovy (in combination with other medicine) was compared to another HIV treatment regimen. Both studies lasted 48 weeks, and Descovy was found to be equally effective as the other treatment regimen. Also, people taking Descovy had fewer problems with their bones and kidneys.
Another study focused on those already receiving treatment for HIV whose infection was under control. In these studies, patients either kept taking their current regimen or were switched to a regimen containing Descovy. This study lasted 48 weeks, and the Descovy-containing regimen was shown to be highly effective in keeping the HIV infection under control. Also, people taking Descovy had fewer problems with their bones.
A large study was conducted to see if Descovy is safe and effective as a PrEP regimen in people at risk of getting HIV.
In this study, Descovy was compared to Truvada, an HIV PrEP regimen recommended by the CDC and the United States Public Health Service. At the end of 96 weeks, Descovy was found to be equally effective as Truvada. Also, people taking Descovy had fewer negative changes on bone and kidney tests than Truvada. This suggests that Descovy is equally effective as Truvada and may be a safer option for those with bone and kidney problems.
The trial was continued to see the long-term effects of Descovy. At the end of 144 weeks, almost all patients (more than 99%) taking Descovy were still HIV-negative. This shows that Descovy remained highly effective for preventing HIV. This extension also showed that long-term use of Descovy did not have negative effects on bone and kidney tests.
Overall, Descovy has been studied in a variety of people.
Based on the current studies, Descovy (when used with other medicine) is a safe and effective treatment for people with HIV. The Department of Health and Human Services recommends Descovy (in combination with other medicine) as one of several first-line treatments for those who are new to HIV treatment or newly diagnosed.
The data also shows that Descovy is safe and effective for preventing HIV in those who may be at risk for getting it. The CDC and the United States Public Health Service recommend Descovy as one of several PrEP regimens.
Descovy is a single tablet taken by mouth once daily. It can be taken at any time of the day, with or without food. Taking it every day and not missing doses is very important in keeping the HIV infection under control or preventing HIV infection from occurring.
Do not stop taking Descovy without talking to your health care provider first.
The most common side effects seen with Descovy are nausea and diarrhea.
If you have nausea, try taking Descovy with food or a light snack. Eating smaller, more frequent meals may also help. If you have diarrhea, make sure to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
Over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medicine can be used to help with side effects of Descovy. Talk to your health care provider for specific recommendations.
These are not all of the side effects of Descovy. Talk with your health care provider if you are having symptoms that bother you. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 800-FDA-1088.
Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of Descovy and vice versa, causing there to be too much or too little medicine in your body. This could lead to serious side effects or the medicine not working well.
Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using or have recently taken. This will help make sure your medicines work well together.
Your health care provider will order several routine tests while you are taking Descovy for the treatment of HIV. One of those tests is called an HIV viral load. This measures the number of HIV viruses in your blood. If you have never been treated for HIV, your viral load may be high. Taking Descovy (with other medicine) every day will help your viral load go down and keep the infection under control.
If your HIV is already being treated and is under control and you are being switched to a regimen containing Descovy, your viral load should stay under control if you are taking it every day.
Your health care provider will order several routine tests while you are taking Descovy for the prevention of HIV. One of those tests is an HIV test. This looks for the presence of the HIV virus in your blood, and the test should be negative if you are taking Descovy every day. If you ever test positive for HIV, you will need to start treatment.
There is a copay program from the manufacturer that may allow you to pay $0 for your prescription. Whether you are eligible depends on whether you have prescription insurance and what type of insurance you have.
You can find out more at advancingaccessconsent.Iassist.Com. If you have questions about cost, insurance coverage, or any other financial support issue, you can also contact Gilead Advancing Access at 800-226-2056.
What Everyone Gets Wrong About HIV Might Shock You - Rolling Out
Let's be real. When it comes to HIV, there's a whole universe of misinformation floating around out there. From playground whispers to social media posts, these myths aren't just annoying—they're downright dangerous. They keep people from getting tested, starting treatment, and living their fullest lives.
The good news? We've come ridiculously far in understanding HIV prevention and treatment. The bad news? Most people are still operating on information from the 1980s. It's like trying to use a flip phone to run Instagram—things have changed dramatically, and it's time our understanding caught up.
The "it can't happen to me" delusionThis might be the most dangerous myth of all—the belief that HIV only affects "other people." You know, not people like you.
HIV doesn't care about your relationship status, income bracket, or the neighborhood you live in. It's an equal opportunity virus that can affect anyone who engages in certain activities, regardless of who they are or how they identify.
The reality check we all need? About 13% of people living with HIV don't even know they have it. They're not all who you might expect. They're college students, married couples, seniors dating again after losing a spouse, and everyday people who simply never thought they needed to get tested.
This isn't about fear-mongering. It's about recognizing that HIV prevention belongs in everyone's health conversation, not just certain groups. When we perpetuate the myth that "it can't happen to me," we create blind spots in our own health care.
The transmission terrorsPerhaps no area of HIV has more myths than how it's transmitted. Let's clear things up once and for all.
You absolutely cannot get HIV from sharing food, drinking from the same glass, using the same toilet seat, hugging, shaking hands, or casual contact. The virus simply doesn't survive outside the body long enough, and it can't penetrate unbroken skin.
Swimming pools? Mosquito bites? Sharing gym equipment? No, no, and no. HIV transmission requires direct exchange of certain body fluids—blood, semen, pre-seminal fluid, rectal and vaginal fluids, and breast milk. That's it. No exceptions.
The myth that you can somehow "tell" if someone has HIV is particularly harmful. Many people with HIV show absolutely no symptoms for years. You cannot identify someone's HIV status by looking at them, period.
Perhaps most damaging is the persistent myth that HIV is a death sentence. This couldn't be further from today's reality. With proper treatment, people with HIV now have nearly the same life expectancy as those without the virus. Let that sink in.
The prevention paradoxWhen it comes to preventing HIV, outdated information abounds.
Condoms only break if you use them wrong. When used consistently and correctly, condoms are highly effective at preventing HIV transmission during sex. The key words here are "consistently" and "correctly"—which means using them every time and following the instructions.
The myth that PrEP is just for certain communities needs to die a quick death. Pre-exposure prophylaxis can benefit anyone who might be exposed to HIV, regardless of their identity or relationship status. It's not about who you are—it's about protecting your health.
Testing is often avoided because of the myth that it's complicated, expensive, or intrusive. The reality? HIV testing has never been easier. From free community testing sites to at-home test kits you can order online, finding out your status is simpler than ever.
The "it's not my business" myth stops many people from talking about HIV status with partners. Open communication about sexual health isn't just responsible—it's essential. Creating a judgment-free space for these conversations protects everyone involved.
The treatment trapsTreatment myths might be the most harmful of all, keeping people from the care they need.
HIV medications aren't the toxic, side-effect-laden drugs of decades past. Modern antiretroviral therapy is often just one pill once a day, with minimal or no side effects for most people. The image of someone wasting away from medication side effects is woefully outdated.
The belief that treatment can wait until you feel sick is dangerous. Starting treatment early—ideally immediately after diagnosis—leads to better health outcomes and prevents transmission to others. The days of waiting for a certain CD4 count before starting meds are long gone.
One persistent myth suggests that if your viral load is undetectable, you can skip doses or stop treatment. This is absolutely false. Maintaining an undetectable status requires consistent medication adherence. Skipping doses can allow the virus to rebound and potentially develop resistance.
Perhaps most harmful is the myth that an undetectable viral load means you're cured. While people with undetectable viral loads cannot transmit HIV to sexual partners, they still have HIV and must continue treatment. U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable) is about transmission, not cure.
The stigma stumbling blocksStigma remains one of the biggest barriers to ending the HIV epidemic.
The myth that HIV is a moral failing rather than a health condition continues to damage lives. HIV is a virus, not a judgment. It doesn't discriminate based on behavior, beliefs, or background. Anyone can acquire it, and everyone deserves compassionate care.
The damaging belief that people with HIV shouldn't have children ignores modern medical advances. With proper treatment and care, women with HIV can have healthy pregnancies and babies without HIV. Prevention of mother-to-child transmission is one of the great success stories in HIV care.
The idea that people with HIV must disclose their status in all situations is both legally inaccurate and perpetuates stigma. Disclosure requirements vary by location and situation. In most places, the legal obligation to disclose is limited to sexual partners, and even these laws are evolving as our understanding of U=U advances.
Perhaps the most insidious myth is that the HIV epidemic is over. While treatment has improved dramatically, people continue to acquire HIV every day. The epidemic won't be over until everyone has access to testing, prevention, and treatment—and the stigma that prevents people from accessing these resources is eliminated.
The research realitiesMisinformation about HIV research and cures runs rampant.
The persistent rumor that there's a cure being hidden by pharmaceutical companies makes for great conspiracy theories but terrible public health. Researchers worldwide are working tirelessly toward a cure, with promising advances being made. No one is hiding a cure—we're still looking for one.
Vaccine trials get misreported constantly. While there are ongoing efforts to develop an HIV vaccine, we don't have one yet. Claims about successful vaccines should be treated with healthy skepticism until confirmed by multiple reputable sources.
The myth that alternative or natural remedies can replace antiretroviral therapy has cost lives. While complementary approaches may support overall health, they cannot control HIV replication or prevent progression to AIDS. Nothing currently available can replace properly prescribed HIV medication.
Moving forward with factsKnowledge is power, especially when it comes to HIV. Getting accurate information isn't just about peace of mind—it can literally save lives.
Regular testing is normal health maintenance, not an admission of risk behavior. Making HIV testing as routine as checking your cholesterol removes the stigma and ensures everyone knows their status.
Prevention options have multiplied. From PrEP to treatment as prevention for those with HIV, we have more tools than ever to stop new transmissions.
Living well with HIV is entirely possible. With proper treatment, people with HIV are living long, healthy lives, having children, pursuing careers, and doing everything people without HIV do.
The conversation about HIV needs updating. By replacing myths with facts, fear with knowledge, and judgment with compassion, we move closer to ending the epidemic once and for all.
After all, the most dangerous myth might be that we can't beat HIV. The truth? With accurate information and action, we absolutely can.
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