We take a look at treatment and prevention breakthroughs, an increased quality of life and the stigma that continues to make up the HIV landscape
The state of HIV in America is changing rapidly. We are finally at a point when, even with no solid cure in sight, the tide of the epidemic could finally reverse. Last year, San Francisco launched its “Getting to Zero” movement. Based on UN initiatives, the program believes the idea of zero new infections-or deaths-is no longer a fantasy but a real possibility. Medical breakthroughs and changes in society have meant those living with the disease are experiencing fuller, longer lives. Here are some of the biggest stories shaping the poz world.
1. PrEP and TAP are stemming the spread of HIV.
Since its approval by the FDA in 2012 as a means of preventing HIV infection, Truvada-generally referred to as PrEP-has become the biggest news in stemming the spread of HIV. “For the first time since the disease’s beginning, we have a new way to stop infections,” says Terry Smith, Associate Director of Prevention at APLA Health and Wellness. PrEP is 99% effective according to Smith, who is excited about the dramatic reduction in infections Truvada has offered the gay community. Furthermore, Smith believes “Treatment as Prevention”-the idea that someone who is virally suppressed has a lesser chance of spreading the virus to those who are HIV-negative-may be a key tool in stemming the spread of HIV. “Those on treatment are 96% less likely to spread the virus,” he says.
2. Treatment of HIV is simpler and comes with fewer side effects.
Treatment has changed dramatically. Long dramatized and experienced as an unusual and complicated cocktail of drugs, HIV treatment has been reconfigured as a ‘one pill a day’ regimen, with a minimal amount of side effects. “The biggest change in treatment is the combo drug,” says Jeff Bailey, Director of Client Services at AIDS Project Los Angeles. “It means more people are able to adhere to treatment, because it’s simpler,” he says.