You focus on the risk, however small, that you might be HIV positive. A test at weeks gives you a pretty good answer but will need to be confirmed. A test at 6 weeks is better still. This is based on using a 4th generation HIV test. This stress from testing is usually okay.
But, for a few people, HIV can become an obsession, This is out of all proportion to the level of risk. Obsessing on HIV risk can lead to problems out of proprtion to the actual risk. This can become a psychological problem. Worry and stress can cause symptoms that people then assume is HIV. If you are not sleeping you will feel tired and anxious. There is also a concern for current sexual partners.
HIV is spread through certain bodily fluids, often through sex with an infected person, but also by sharing needles and from a pregnant mother to her child. That is NOT true. Why is this important? Silence makes people think HIV is no longer a problem and makes health systems and funders think support is less important," Havlir told BuzzFeed Health in an email. However, experts warn that the progress has not been consistent and diagnoses are increasing among certain groups.
What has decreased is the number of new infections from intravenous drug use, the experts say, largely thanks to clean needle sharing programs. The experts point to stigmatization, barriers to care, and a lack of education and awareness, especially among young people. According to the CDC , an estimated 1. There are a number of reasons why people go undetected, the experts say. And if they do think they might have HIV, they may be too afraid to find out their status," Rizza says.
Fear of discrimination and stigma hinder testing for many people. But the number of undiagnosed HIV cases also reflects a problem among providers. When it comes to STIs, not knowing your status can both jeopardize your health and the health of all your partners.
Like men, women can transmit HIV to their sex and needle-sharing partners. But women can also transmit the virus to their child while pregnant, giving birth, or breastfeeding. Some people try and undermine the science with claims that positive people won't take their meds. But this is just prejudice. If you're positive, your health depends on taking that one pill a day. It's not something you forget. I haven't told the entirety of my family about Max's status - I don't think it's significant enough.
I did tell my parents before I first brought him back for dinner but that was only because he used to take his meds with food and I didn't want him to have to leave the room. I think it's a shame that the science of how it can't be passed on hasn't been better publicised. Far too many people are made to suffer stigma for no reason. People's views about HIV are stuck in the past. We really need to push for change. Click to listen to the full report on BBC Sounds. Gay, Muslim and living with HIV.
The man who saved thousands of people from HIV. HIV test kits for sale on High Street. Image source, Max. Max's story. HIV treatment:. HIV is treated with antiretroviral medications, which stop the virus replicating The amount of the virus in the blood is then measured to see how well treatment is working It can take up to six months for this viral load to become undetectable People with HIV, on effective HIV treatment and whose viral load has been undetectable for six months or more, can't pass the virus on through sex The NHS says a condom is the most effective form of protection against HIV and other sexually transmitted infection STIs.
Alex's story. Related Topics. Published 3 October Published 28 June Published 8 August
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