News Forum - Life with HIV: Long-term survivors share their experiences

[Thaiger]

Over three decades ago, receiving an HIV diagnosis was akin to being handed a death sentence. Many endured discrimination, devastating personal losses, and gruelling drug side effects. However, advances in treatment have enabled millions of individuals to live with this virus. To mark the 40th anniversary of the discovery of the virus responsible for AIDS, …

The story Life with HIV: Long-term survivors share their experiences as seen on Thaiger News.

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[Faraday]

Yes, I well remember all the scary stories & how Princess Diana destigmatised HiV.

 

"While visiting the unit, she famously noted, 'HIV does not make people dangerous to know. You can shake their hands and give them a hug. Heaven knows they need it. What's more, you can share their homes, their workplaces, and their playgrounds and toys."

https://www.tht.org.uk/news/how-princess-diana-challenged-hiv-stigma-every-hug

 

[Faraday]

What I didn't know until quite recently is that unprotected sex with an HiV person is safe, if their Viral Load is less than 200.

 

https://www.healthline.com/health/hiv-aids/cd4-viral-count

[Faraday]

Article from The Terence Higgins Trust, explaining Viral Load & some studies regarding transmission of HiV.

 

https://www.tht.org.uk/hiv-and-sexual-health/about-hiv/viral-load-and-being-undetectable

[Marc26]

30 minutes ago, Fanta said:

Correction: viral load is less than 75 is classified “undetectable” therefore untransmittable aka U=U . The gold standard is less than 20 and typically reached within 6 months of starting a one tablet a day regime. 

We know someone close in Canada how has HIV and they went and got treated and they are as healthy as anyone else

 

Then we know 2 people in Thailand that didn't get treated until they developed AIDS and almost died

They didn't die and are somewhat healthy taking the medication but now have all sort of complications because they let it get to dire stage

 

HIV is now listed the same as type 2 diabetes, and probably less dangerous once taking the medication

[Faraday]

Viral Load.

 

 

https://www.mildmay.org/about-hiv

[Faraday]

Viral Load

 

 

https://www.aidsmap.com/about-hiv/undetectable-viral-load-and-transmission-information-people-hiv

[Faraday]

A post with no link & inaccurate information, has been removed. 

 

Moderator 

[Fanta]

4 minutes ago, Faraday said:

Viral Load.

https://www.mildmay.org/about-hiv

From the link you posted earlier

https://www.healthline.com/health/hiv-aids/cd4-viral-count 

”Effective treatment will result in viral suppression. This is when there are fewer than 200Trusted Sourcecopies/mL. At this stage, the risk of HIV progressing is low, but the virus is still present. A person can still pass on the virus.” 

[Karolyn]

This statement may be shocking, but HIV did good for dociety. Because fear of HIV, not moralistic but tooted in safety fears, basically ended the excesses of the sexual revolution. If there is a HIV cure, the deterrent is hone, and people must be resuming sexual risks, surely.

That and unsafe sex with untrustworthy partners, and needle sharing, are both associated with high impulsivity, which is associated with other personal problems, besides. And as we see, with the HIV pandemic, some personal choices carry an unfair cost for others. The people who are more at risk, thought twice. Those who are most at risk, simply ended with a Darwin award - shame about the collateral damage.

[Marc26]

37 minutes ago, Karolyn said:

This statement may be shocking, but HIV did good for dociety. Because fear of HIV, not moralistic but tooted in safety fears, basically ended the excesses of the sexual revolution. If there is a HIV cure, the deterrent is hone, and people must be resuming sexual risks, surely.

That and unsafe sex with untrustworthy partners, and needle sharing, are both associated with high impulsivity, which is associated with other personal problems, besides. And as we see, with the HIV pandemic, some personal choices carry an unfair cost for others. The people who are more at risk, thought twice. Those who are most at risk, simply ended with a Darwin award - shame about the collateral damage.

Along those lines the advancements in HIV care has made people more lax 

 

The "you won't die from HIV" thought process has made people less stringent in wearing protection 

[Karolyn]

8 hours ago, Marc26 said:

Along those lines the advancements in HIV care has made people more lax 

The "you won't die from HIV" thought process has made people less stringent in wearing protection 

Well precisely. 

There is a paradox, across the board, that better cures make for less effective prevention. 

[TheDirtyDurian]

11 hours ago, Karolyn said:

This statement may be shocking, but HIV did good for dociety. Because fear of HIV, not moralistic but tooted in safety fears, basically ended the excesses of the sexual revolution. If there is a HIV cure, the deterrent is hone, and people must be resuming sexual risks, surely.

That and unsafe sex with untrustworthy partners, and needle sharing, are both associated with high impulsivity, which is associated with other personal problems, besides. And as we see, with the HIV pandemic, some personal choices carry an unfair cost for others. The people who are more at risk, thought twice. Those who are most at risk, simply ended with a Darwin award - shame about the collateral damage.

You're looking at things from a very Western viewpoint. 

The rates of HIV infection in many African countries are shocking. HIV has not been good for society as you say. 

And there is still a massive change that needs to happen in sex education, access to decent healthcare, and widespread cultural practices, before anything changes for the better. 

https://www.prb.org/resources/the-status-of-the-hiv-aids-epidemic-in-sub-saharan-africa/