HIV meds have evolved dramatically, but stigma around the disease still hangs heavy.
Let’s talk about meds first. When I was first diagnosed, I took a cup full of pills a day. Then I started new regimens and took three pills a day. One of them was so big, it was hard to swallow.
After years, I switched to a two-pill-a-day regimen. Now I take only one pill a day. And if I didn’t want to, I wouldn't have to take pills at all. That’s because there are long-acting injectables that can last 2 months or longer. There’s even hope of an implantable long-acting treatment soon. So, HIV meds have really evolved.
At first, there were no drugs for what’s now known as HIV. Many people died before the development of effective treatments. Research lagged, and deaths happened soon after diagnosis. Early treatments were toxic and had harmful side effects.
I was fortunate that all this was before my diagnosis.
In 1996, antiretroviral therapy (ART) was discovered – it changed everything. ART can completely suppress the virus and make it untransmittable to others, even through unprotected sex.
For many years, doctors kept this knowledge secret out of concern that people might be more promiscuous and less likely to use protection. This secrecy only perpetuated stigma. It was 2016 before the truth was revealed, and the HIV community learned about U=U (undetectable equals untransmittable). This means that if you take your meds consistently and reach undetectable status (meaning that there’s not enough virus to be detected in your blood), you can’t transmit the disease to others sexually.
Think about that for a moment.
If you live with HIV and take your meds, you CANNOT transmit the virus through unprotected sex. That means HIV isn’t a death sentence. It’s not even all that consequential. It’s nothing more than a chronic illness, one you don’t even notice until it’s time to take medication or visit a doctor.
This has been life-changing news for millions of people.
But those of us living with HIV seem to be the only ones who know about U=U. It’s knowledge that could help break down stigma and save lives. Why isn’t this information accepted by society?
HIV stigma is what really kills people.
It’s the stigma that isolates those living with HIV, keeping them from their families, friends, and places of worship. It’s a barrier to employment, housing, or even love, increasing the risk of suicidal thoughts and intentions.
Because of that stigma, many don’t get tested for HIV and go on to unknowingly spread the virus to others. Some die because they don’t want anyone to know they’re being treated for HIV.
This madness has to stop.
HIV meds have come so far in a short time, saving millions of people, making it possible to have long and thriving lives. But no medication can change people’s minds.
Unless stigma is erased from perceptions of HIV, this disease will never be eradicated from society. Even if a cure is found, I’m sure there’ll be people who don’t trust medical care and refuse to take it. I wish we, as a society, weren’t so obtuse. But I believe we can learn better, and know better, and treat those living with HIV better.
Is our society capable of accepting facts and showing compassion for those who live with HIV? The real question here is, are you?
Photo Credit: Moment/Getty Images
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