HIV: Is it the end of the age of infection?

The HIV drug drug treatment has made those living with it infectious - even without sexual contact without birth control. What it means? That a person who lives with HIV and is treated regularly and is unable to transmit and infect others with the virus. Now, you just have to deal with stereotypes and stigmas

HIV: Is it the end of the age of infection?

On World AIDS Day, which began this week, the AIDS War Committee's goal is to pass the clear order: A person living with HIV, treated and coming to an "undetectable" state cannot transmit the virus and infect another person. Just like that. Not in sexual contact without birth control, not in case of injury and fluid mixing. undetectable - simply impossible to catch. Of course, still, the decision to remove a condom depends on more variables and more sexual diseases must be taken into account, the degree of trusting relationships between partners and a sure knowledge of the partner's status.

In the "detectable" state, the viral load of HIV in the patient's blood is so low that it cannot be detected through a blood test, and in fact it allows a normal and completely normal life. The patient can bring healthy children into the world, do not have to fear accidental infection in sensitive cases and will not reach the vulnerable state, where the immune system has failed.

The modern treatment provided has dramatically reduced the previously known side effects, and includes in the vast majority of cases one pill that should be taken every day. Relatively shortly after taking a pill, the viral load in the blood decreases, after being checked, if everything goes well you can reach 'Undetectable' mode.

This is a dramatic change that allows life with HIV to be completely normal everyday behavior on the one hand, and does not allow the infection of others on the other.

The AIDS War Committee marks World AIDS Day

Lior Naor and Shai Eliezer Zvi at Walla Studio! Pride

Lior Naor and Shai Eliezer Zvi at Walla Studio! Pride (Photo: Walla system! NEWS, Walla system! NEWS)

On the other hand, pre-exposure prophylaxis (or PrEP if you will) is becoming prevalent, preventing HIV infection. In fact, anyone who takes PrEP (PreP) lowers their chances of getting infected with HIV, even if they have sexual contact without contraception. The combination of the two treatments, for those living with HIV and for those who do not, dramatically reduces the new virus infection options, with the hope that eventually they will move out of the world.

The main difficulties that remain in this regard are, on the one hand, the stigma and ignorance of those living with HIV, and the lack of awareness that HIV testing is recommended, as part of the general tests we all do from time to time. In fact, most of the new infections are done by people who don't even know they have HIV. So to be sure, remove the carrier - so go check it out.