Unfortunately, the stigma associated with HIV has not moved as quickly as the advances in HIV treatments. People living with HIV still have to contend with behaviour and attitudes from other people that are based in ignorance. HIV is a virus. There is no shame in having a virus. People living with HIV on effective treatment pose no threat to other people. It’s A Sin accurately portrayed the role that fear and shame play in helping HIV to thrive. To combat this we must all make an effort to normalise our conversations in relation to our sexual health and actively correct misinformation and stigmatising comments. If you are interested in accessing PEP and PrEP or wish to access a rapid HIV test, do not be put off by fear of judgement about your life choices whether these be related to your sexual life, your number of sexual partners, the type of sex you are having, drug use or any other matter that you think may carry a stigma. You will be meeting with professionals who will help to guide you. Do not be your own worst enemy. There is no denying that people can be judgemental, but don’t let your fear of other people’s judgements
The tales of friendship, love and selfless devotion were joyous and heart wrenching in equal measure. The fear, shame and stigma around this novel virus were portrayed excellently by the fantastic cast. Across the 5 episode series, we watched people go from diagnosis to death in a very short period of time. Thankfully, we are now a world away from the stories presented in It’s A Sin. The anti-retroviral medications (ARVs) available to people living with HIV ensure that they can live a healthy life for as long as anybody else. These medications also prevent onward transmission of the virus to sexual partners. The U=U (Undetectable equals Untransmittable) campaign was launched in 2016 to highlight this fact. This message is a powerful tool in battling the stigma which stubbornly persists around HIV. Condoms are no longer the only form of protection. PEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis) and PrEP (Pre Exposure Prophylaxis) have been hugely beneficial in protecting against HIV. PEP can be accessed up to 72 hours after a potential HIV exposure and is taken for 28 days. PrEP can be taken either as a daily regimen or at times where there may be potential for exposure to HIV (Event Based Dosing). At the Sexual Health Centre we offer a free rapid HIV testing service, with results available in one minute. In non- COVID times our staff and dedicated volunteers offer this service in a number of outreach venues including Chambers, the Gay Project and the Loft. Testing in non-clinical settings has helped to normalise testing and allows more opportunities for people to know their HIV status. We look forward to getting back to these venues as soon as we can. In the time that I have been providing rapid HIV testing I have told many people that they have a reactive result and there is a high possibility that they have HIV. Immediately after receiving the reactive test result, people are unable to take in much information. In those moments the messages I want them to hear are in relation to hope. There is no cure for HIV but it is now a manageable illness. I convey the information about the effectiveness of ARVs and the message around U=U. I reinforce this messaging in recurrent appointments when a person’s emotions are less raw around their diagnosis. HIV positive people and/or their significant others can also avail of free counselling at the Sexual Health Centre if this is something they feel they need.
limit your opportunities for taking care of your sexual health or prevent you from accessing the preventative medications that are available to you. Take control of your own sexual health. There are many people who will help you along the way including the staff here at the
For those of us who remember the 1980s, the doom laden narration of John Hurt in the ‘Don’t Die Of Ignorance’ advert will forever be burned in our memories. The voiceover informed us of a deadly disease that could be passed on through sexual intercourse and the advert finished with a headstone emblazoned with ‘AIDS’ hitting the ground.
The fears we have all experienced around COVID-19 rival the fears that were experienced in the early days of HIV. COVID, as we all now know, affects people in different ways. Some people experience a very mild illness while others experience severe illness and death. In the early days of HIV, in the absence of effective treatments, the future looked bleak for those receiving a positive test result. Outside of the health implications and the fears around mortality, gbMSM (Gay, Bisexual and men who have sex with men) living with HIV faced social isolation fuelled by homophobia, ignorance and incorrect information.
Sexual Health Centre.
If you wish to avail of HIV support, counselling or rapid HIV testing then please call or WhatsApp me
on 086 028 6227 or email me at info@sexualhealthcentre.com
This year many of us watched It’s A Sin, the latest series by Russell T Davies.
A free condom postal service is available from us at www.sexualhealthcentre.com/condomservice
The series painted a vivid picture of young lives, some of which were ended much too soon by the HIV epidemic in 1980s London.
You can contact our LGBTQIA+ support worker, Konrad Im at konradim@sexualhealthcentre.com P EP and PrEP can currently be accessed from the GUM clinic at the Victoria Hospital. You can contact them on 021 427 6676 for an appointment. PEP is also available from Accident and Emergency Departments.
Phil Corcoran Senior Health Promotion Officer Sexual Health Centre
www.corkpride.com
#CorkPride2021
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