HIV/AIDs Awareness: End Inequalities! End AIDs!
When you're thinking about sex, sexually transmitted infections, also known as STIs, are not something that doesn't cross your mind! And questions about HIV?! Really? In the middle of sexual pleasure and curiosity, the last thing most people want to think about is an STI, let alone HIV, one of the most stigmatized health conditions. Some people might think HIV is a thing of the past, but it is still prevalent in many communities in America and around the world.
Hi, I'm Sadia, a women's health nurse practitioner here to answer your top questions about HIV, such as what is HIV and how can I prevent HIV? In honor of World AIDS Day, which is December 1st, I'll be answering ten questions on HIV that some people might not be comfortable Googling or asking their health care provider directly! Especially in the age of mass media and mixed messages on social media, sometimes, it can be hard to know what is true.
If you're eager to learn about all things HIV and get your questions about HIV answered, this blog post is for you!
What is HIV?
The human immunodeficiency virus, also known as HIV, is a virus that attacks cells that help the body fight infection, weakening someone's immune system. HIV is a lifelong condition that historically began spreading in America in the early 1980s. Scientists have suspected that HIV might have existed prior, but HIV cases started appearing consistently from the 1980s onwards.
If left untreated, HIV can lead to the disease AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). If someone with AIDS does not receive treatment, it could be fatal.
Fortunately, there are many medications used to manage HIV/AIDS presently and ways to prevent transmitting or obtaining HIV/AIDS.
An estimated 1 million people in America have HIV, and an estimated 38 million people globally have HIV. These estimates also consider that there are about 10% of HIV-positive people do not know they have HIV, mainly as a result of lack of HIV awareness and lack of HIV testing.
In 2018, 80% of all diagnoses of HIV were diagnosed in men; of the 1 million people who have HIV in America, nearly 75% were men. However, on a global scale, about 52% of people with HIV are women, highlighting that HIV in America is a public health issue amongst men.
How Does Someone Get HIV?
Someone gets (or contracts) HIV when they are exposed to blood, semen, vaginal fluids, rectal fluids, breastmilk, or needles that contain HIV (such as sharing needles). One of the most common questions about HIV is if it can be transmitted from a toilet seat, spit, food, or drinks – the answer is no!
In 2019, 65% of diagnoses of HIV were as a result of male-to-male sexual contact, followed by 23% heterosexual contact, and then injection drug use (as a result of sharing needles).
Who Is At Most Risk For HIV?
HIV can affect anyone regardless of sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, gender, age, or where they live.
Since HIV is an STI, anyone who has sex is at risk of getting HIV.
However, people who engage in sex, in particular, receptive anal sex, are at more risk of contracting HIV. Receptive anal sex, also known as being a sexual bottom, is when someone receives a penis into their anus. Receptive anal sex is a more "at-risk" sexual behavior since the rectum does not have natural lubrication like the vagina and has a naturally thinner lining compared to the vagina.
While HIV is an STI, it is also important to note that HIV is transmitted via breastmilk and needles.
Babies born to HIV-positive mothers should not be given breastmilk since breastmilk is a form of HIV transmission.
People who share needles, during IV drug use, with other people or reuse needles are at much higher risk for contracting HIV. Of new HIV diagnoses within the past five years in America, the majority occur in young gay and bisexual men, in particular Black and Latino men. In 2019, 42% of HIV diagnoses were among Black people, and 29% of HIV diagnoses were among Latino people. In 2019, gay and bisexual men ages 13-24 accounted for 83% of all new HIV diagnoses. Young Black gay and bisexual men were even more severely affected, as they represented 50% of new HIV diagnoses among young gay and bisexual men. (https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/statistics.html)
The truth about HIV is that it is a virus that affects your immune system and is highly stigmatized because of its history and present association with gay men. Many people have a stigma about HIV because there is a lot of stigma and miseducation about sex, especially anal sex. There is also much social stigma about men not being heterosexual. As a result, people who engage in receptive anal sex often do not discuss their behaviors with their health care providers, and HIV can go untested and untreated.
When we talk about who is most "at-risk" for HIV, we also have to consider who is the most socially marginalized and vulnerable in our society.
What Are Some Common Signs and Symptoms of HIV?
Some people have flu-like symptoms within 2 to 4 weeks after infection (called acute HIV infection). These symptoms may last for a few days or several weeks. It is also important to note that some people might not have any symptoms at all.
Possible symptoms of acute HIV infection are:
Fever
Rash
Night Sweats
Muscle Aches
Sore Throat
Fatigue
Swollen Lymph Nodes
Mouth Ulcers
Because these symptoms can also be similar to signs and symptoms of COVID, the flu, and other conditions, HIV can be missed, especially if there is no HIV testing available or request for HIV testing.
After the acute HIV infection period, HIV then progresses onto Stage 2, which is chronic HIV infection. People with chronic HIV can have no symptoms and can transmit HIV to other people. Chronic HIV infection can last years before progressing into AIDS.
It is important to note that not everyone with HIV will progress to AIDS. With early detection and adherence to an HIV medication regime, people with chronic HIV can live for many years and not have progress to AIDS.
How Do I Get Tested For HIV?
The only way to know if you have HIV is if you get tested for HIV. HIV testing is very straightforward and accessible in most urban American areas. However, if you live in a rural area or area with limited health care resources, it may be more challenging to find an HIV test. HIV testing can be completed as part of regular bloodwork at a health care provider's office, a public health department, a sexual health clinic, an HIV clinic, or a hospital. These locations can also answer any questions about HIV. Some places also offer HIV testing via finger prick or with a saliva swab.
The costs of HIV testing will vary depending on your health insurance. Also, the cost of HIV testing will be dependent on where you choose to get tested. Lastly, it is essential to note that HIV is a virus and that accurate results for HIV will not appear instantly. For instance, if you had an encounter where you think you were exposed to HIV within 72 hours and you take an HIV test the next day, that test will not show an accurate result as HIV takes a few weeks to be seen in blood tests.
If you are concerned about immediate exposure to HIV, you should seek emergency services and ask to obtain post-exposure prophylaxis within 72 hours of possible exposure.
For More Information about HIV testing, please visit the following website: https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/hiv-testing/test-types.html
Why is Getting Tested for HIV Necessary?
Getting tested for HIV is important because some people think HIV is a thing of the past and is no longer present in our society. HIV is also a severely stigmatized STI because of its association with gay men and anal sex. Because of the stigma associated with not being heterosexual and participating in anal sex, HIV is often seen as a "gay disease," which is an extremely homophobic, hateful, and violent way to discuss and perceive a health condition.
While CDC guidelines recommend getting tested for HIV at least once in your lifetime if you are between ages 13-64, in 2019, studies revealed less than 40% of Americans have never been tested for HIV. (https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2019/p0627-americans-hiv-test.html)
Getting tested for HIV allows you to know your status, take the initiative for your health, and raise awareness of this stigmatized health condition.
How Do I Talk to a Healthcare Provider About HIV Concerns?
While there might be healthcare providers that are still very uncomfortable with questions about HIV, there are several healthcare providers who are very comfortable answering questions about HIV. If you are concerned about possibly having HIV or seeking HIV testing, I would recommend seeking out healthcare services from a trusted healthcare provider, a sexual health clinic, a public health department, or an HIV clinic.
If you live in an area with limited health care services, I would recommend still seeking HIV testing and discussing it with a provider. While it might be uncomfortable to bring up questions about HIV or HIV testing, it can be a test that can give you the clarity needed to take charge of your health further.
Click Here to Find an HIV Testing Location Near You!
What can I do to prevent HIV?
Fortunately, there are several ways to prevent HIV. Like many other STIs, condoms are a significant barrier to preventing HIV. Especially when paired with lube to prevent micro-tearing, condoms have been the gold standard in HIV prevention for many years. Condoms are available at major retailers and can also be available for free at some health clinics and public health departments.
There is now a class of HIV-related medications within the last few years called PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis). PrEP is a daily pill that people who are at risk for HIV take to prevent getting HIV from sex or injection drug use. When taken as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV. Two name brand PrEP medications are Truvada and Descovy. Unlike condoms, PrEP is a prescription-only medication that is often very expensive and not covered by many insurances.
If you are interested in being on PrEP, I would recommend reading about it here and also seeing if any local HIV awareness agencies in your area have funding for PrEP.
Click here for more information on PrEP!
What Are Some Resources for People Living with HIV/AIDS?
If you or someone you know is living with HIV/AIDS, there are resources to help you. First, I would highly recommend getting in touch with your local public health department or HIV clinic. There are many local initiatives in cities and states for HIV that aren't provided at the federal level. If you do not live near either an HIV clinic or public health department, I would recommend visiting this page and spending time clicking each link and finding resources near you.
There might also be support groups in your area (if you live in an area with a high HIV prevalence) or support groups online that might be helpful as well. There was a time when HIV diagnosis was a death sentence. However, over the last few decades, there have been significant improvements to HIV medications and HIV care. Several people with HIV/AIDS live very long, productive lives and can achieve all they desire.
How Do I Get Involved in the Fight Against HIV & AIDs?
Here at Lala's Bedtime Tales, we think it's incredible that you want to get involved with this movement! Suppose you want to get involved in HIIV education and raise awareness. In that case, it's recommended to reach out to your local health department, HIV clinic, sexual health clinic, or health education non-profit.
These resources will help you find out the best volunteering initiative that fits your personal goals or skillsets to help with the fight against HIV and AIDs. There are many ways to get involved in HIV awareness, prevention, and education if you do not have a health background or are super familiar with HIV. You can seek out volunteer opportunities within your area or online through established HIV health groups, such as the AIDS Health Foundation or Fenway Health. You could also provide a financial donation to any of these groups or directly to services supporting people living with HIV/AIDS.
Don’t Lose Hope because You Aren’t Alone!
When HIV entered the global eye in the 1980s, there were many stories of people with HIV unable to live their lives and dying as a result of HIV. In reality, after a few decades of research and innovation, there are several HIV medications and known ways to reduce one's risk of HIV. While there is no definitive statistic of people living with HIV long-term, someone's life is not over if they have an HIV diagnosis. Several studies have shown that early detection of HIV, such as regular HIV testing and access to health care services, and consistent HIV management, such as access to medications and HIV specialist staff, can prolong the life of someone with HIV. HIV is no longer considered a death sentence, and with proper care, you can live a long life. So, if you get an HIV diagnosis, don't feel hopeless because you can still live a normal and enjoyable life.
If you are concerned about HIV, I recommend getting tested for HIV as soon as possible. And if you are living with HIV and struggling with treatment or access to care, I would recommend exploring local resources and visiting AIDSMAP.
Helpful Resources:
PrEP Program Information: https://www.hiv.gov/federal-response/ending-the-hiv-epidemic/prep-program
Global Organization to End HIV/AIDs: https://www.unaids.org/en
Information & Resources for People Who Are HIV Positive: https://www.poz.com
Advocacy Website For Youth Living with HIV: https://www.advocatesforyouth.org/issue/hiv/
AIDs Healthcare Foundation: https://www.aidshealth.org/
Resource for LGBT Health and HIV Health: https://fenwayhealth.org
HIV Positive News Publication: https://www.hivplusmag.com
The HIV Treatment Journal Medical News Publication: https://www.positivelyaware.com
Geographical Map of Local Resources for HIV Awareness & Prevention Organizations: https://www.aidsmap.com
Cited Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/whatishiv.html
https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/transmission.html
https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/prevention.html
https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/livingwithhiv/resources.html
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2019/p0627-americans-hiv-test.html
https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/statistics.html
December is HIV and AIDs Awareness Month, and a significant part of Lala's Bedtime Tales mission is to provide a safe space and judgment-free zone to educate yourself on sexual health & wellness. The Sexual Health & Wellness corner will have monthly articles dedicated to endless education on how to live a positive and sexually healthy lifestyle. Subscribe to Lala's Bedtime Tales Newsletter and follow @LalasBedtimeTales on social media to never miss any sexual education to help you live the healthiest life possible. Also, check out the Lala's Bedtime Tales Podcast and Lala's Oh So Exclusive Patreon account for even more content! If you’re browsing for sexy pleasure products or cute giftable items, then check out Lala’s Pleasure Shop.
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