No HIV transmissions with undetectable viral load

[Mindset-change]

Hi all,

This is a copy and paste from a from a reply message I wrote. I thought it best to make a separate post here. I hope you find some value in it.

I have now become extremely passionate about boosting the morale of my fellow HIV'ers. We don't need to feel the way we do. Now that I know about the amazing progress of treatments. I really do feel empowered.

'Sorry to hear this. It is a shock and being HIV positive myself for the past 7 years, I can tell you that it gets better. But, I am not here to shower you with a pity party. I am here to give you some practical advice.

1- Go on meds as soon as possible.

2- Look up information on Treatment as Prevention

3- Look up the PARTNER study where one partner is negative

4- Look up the HPTN 052 study (studied the efficacy of meds in transmission prevention)

5- Speak to your doctor about these studies for further assurance

HIV is not the problem it once was. Things have progressed dramatically from when it first came on the scene in 1981. Now with treatment YOU ARE NOT INFECTIOUS. Treatment is now considered as on of the ways of preventing the spread of HIV. The suppression of the virus via ART means that it is unable to replicate therefore spread. Please do your research as this is now standard mainstream information available on the CDC website and the WHO website.

The only that that will make you feel bad now, is not the fact that it is a 'death sentence' because it is not. Nor are you infectious if on ART with an undetectable viral load. The problem now is mental, because if you think about it, the issue of HIV on affects you when it comes to sex. So, it can't be allowed to ruin your life. I don't feel you should punish yourself because of others ignorance. People really can have prejudices about so many things. This your opportunity to find your strength, learn about your illness in terms of it being non-infectious while on ART. If you are in the dark about what it is NOW, not 5 years ago, not 30 years ago but NOW. That will help you. You are probably thinking about other people, and how they will react. I did too for a very long time. But, now that medicines have improved and you have empirical data which states that, again, you are NON-INFECTIOUS WHILE ON MEDS.

The studies mentioned about were done on a worldwide basis. As I have already stated TREATMENT IS ONE OF THE NEW STANDARDS FOR PREVENTION. As well as the other person taking responsibility for themselves and using PrEP. Everyone even if married should use protection but they don't, it is easy for people to judge than to put themselves in others shoes.

Efficacy of condoms:

'Condoms used 100% of the time, though not necessarily 100% perfectly (i.e. with usual rates of breakage and slippage) provide protection of 80 to 85% against HIV (uncertainty range: 76 to 93%). In other words, for every 100 cases of HIV infection that would happen without condom use, about 15 (range: 7 to 24) would happen when condoms are used consistently.'

In a monogamous relationship, the efficacy of treatment (ART), now is closer to zero!!!

We all should use condoms regardless. You can never be sure if your partner is monogamous either, you can only be sure of yourself. Even by using condoms you are trusting that it 'should' work but there is still a 10 - 15% chance of contracting HIV.

The whole point of my message is to say.

YOU HAVE NO NEED TO TORTURE YOURSELF FOR AN ILLNESS WHICH DOES NOT STOP YOU FROM WALKING, TALKING, THINKING, SEEING, ETC.

AGAIN, ON MEDS WHEN UNDETECTABLE YOU ARE NOT INFECTIOUS.

SO, THE SOURCE OF YOUR PROBLEM IS THE OUTSIDE WORLD WHO IS NOT UPDATED WITH THE NEW FACTS.

IT'S UP TO US NOW TO EDUCATE THEM.

HIV is anyone's game it does not distinguish.

Don't allow your ego mind fool you into thinking there is something wrong with you when it does not need to be so.

If you want, I am willing to be that buy of positivity in your ear. Feel free to message me.

The stigma can make you feel unworthy and down right crappy but you don't have to put up with it. People's attitudes are akin to bullying. Don't allow their uneducated worths flush you of your worth.'

[kentgal]

Yay!!!!!!!! Finally some truths. Thanks mate. I am a middle aged woman who happens to be positive (diagnosed two years now on meds 6mths and yes undetectable!!!!!!!!!!)

Now I realise I am not going to die I am much happier and reading your uplifting post has made me happy. x

[Mindset-change in reply to kentgal]

Aww, thank you! I am happy it helped. Though, I should have checked my typos. I suppose that was the passion flowing through my hands. But it is true, we no longer have to put up with people and "their" ignorance. They are choosing to be so. We did not choose this, but we can choose the way we live our lives with it. x

[kentgal in reply to Mindset-change]

Hiya, Thats what I feel I'm doing now; choosing how I feel about having H.I.V. Before it didnt feel like I had a choice, the shock I suppose and the awful media reporing of the 80's left me sure I was gonna die. I'm through that now as starting to feel happy. So, good to connect with you, keep in touch, x

[Mindset-change in reply to kentgal]

That's the spirit! You choose how you want to feel and want people to treat you. Yes, in the 80's it was bad. I'm 31 as of Jan 24th. Something just clicked and I thought... I can't live my life to suit people who are ignorant. Why should I accept this behaviour? It is wrong. The more we become comfortable with ourselves, the better equipped we would be to share with others and uplift them. Let's not be a group of pity party searchers.

x

[Ryan1979]

This is a real good messssge I've only been diagnosed just over 2 months. I've still not told anyone as yet. I'm on medication now for 5 weeks decided to start. Feeling healthy I have never been ill and although I was diagnosed o was in good shape. I get checked on Monday i have a feeling that I am going to be UD already. I've not met anyone dunce diagnosed but starting to chat with people again and just building up the confidence to disclose to people as 100% I will tell people I'm intimate with and once UD if they don't like it they can jog on.... Staying focuses and determined.. I always say focus and concentrate on what makes you happy and everything else will eventually fall into place

X

[Mindset-change in reply to Ryan1979]

Hello Ryan,

I totally agree, they can jog on. They are absolutely not worth our time. And they have helped us to discern people better. Don't let the stigma drag you down. It is like a kind of bullying that we just seem to take and hide away. We should not do this. People need to know the world has changed. You get to choose how you feel. You deserve to feel amazing about yourself.

x

[kentgal]

hi Ryan, Thats it, they can jog jog jog away if their fear or their ignorance stops them frm seeing the real you!!!!!

I agree with mindset, that we all deserve to feel amazing about ourselves. Lets big up the H.I.V massive!!!!!!!!!!!

[Johncameron]

Seeing any life event positively not only releases us from guilt, it helps us keep healthy and it makes us more confident and therefore able to follow our dreams.

I think it’s no coincidence that I waited till I was 40 and then within two years of finding out I was positive, I found my life partner.

A scientist looked at people who had experienced major physical trauma such as losing a limb. They found that immediately after the event their confidence and feelings of well-being understandably, fell through the floor but after about two years they reported feeling happier and more positive than they had prior to the event.

Bah humbug to the naysayers.