The Truth About HIV
HIV is a sexually transmitted disease that impacts the immune system. The HIV epidemic began in the 80s and continues to infect millions of people nationally. In the United States today, approximately 1.1 million people are living with HIV. However, 15 percent of people are unaware of their HIV positive status (Centers for Disease Control, 2019). However, there are many misconceptions about HIV that still exist today. We are here to educate you on the truth behind HIV.
HIV can be prevented through the use of PrEP
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an HIV prevention medication that HIV-negative individuals can take before coming into contact with HIV to reduce their risk of becoming infected. PrEP works to reduce the risk of infection from HIV-positive individuals to HIV-negative individuals. Those in a relationship with a HIV-positive individual should take PrEP to reduce their risk of infection. PrEP should be taken daily, and those who take PrEP 7 times a week have a protection level of 99% (prepfacts.org).
2. PEP can be taken to reduce risk after exposure
If a HIV-negative individual is exposed to HIV, they are able to take PEP to reduce their risk. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a month-long course of drugs that must be started within 72 hours of possible exposure.
3. U=U
U=U means that people with HIV who have achieved and maintained an undetectable viral load, which is the amount of HIV in the blood, by taking antiretroviral therapy medication (ART) as prescribed cannot transmit the HIV virus to others. This means that the HIV levels are so low they cannot be detected, and therefore, they cannot be transmitted to someone else (niaid.nih.gov).
4. HIV is not just a man’s disease
The CDC reported that approximately one quarter of people with HIV in the united States are female, and most were exposed to the virus through heterosexual sexual activities.
5. You Can Test Yourself for HIV at Home
The Food and Drug Administration has approved of several at-home tests that test for HIV. If people are not comfortable with going to a clinic to be tested for HIV, they can utilize these tests, which require a small finger prick to draw blood to then be sent to a lab. You ‘ll get your results back after sending the test to the lab without ever having to leave your home or see a doctor.