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However, HIV is still a very real -- and sobering --part of life for hundreds of thousands of Americans of all races, genders,income ranges and regions of the country. Each year, another 50,000 people become positive in the U.S. There are important ways in which we can all do our part to keep our communities healthy, both for those living with the condition and those who are HIV negative. Based on recent studies, these tips from TheBody.com can help you and your loved ones stay educated, safe and healthy.
1. Get tested, know your status, and always have safer sex.Everyone should know their HIV status,whether or not they think they're at risk, so ask your doctor for an HIV test. More than 1.1 million people in the U.S. are living with HIV and almost 1 in 5 don't know it. Regular testing can help people who test positive to get into care, which can help prevent transmission. [www.thebody.com/content/70125/hiv-in-the-united-states-at-a-glance.html].
Anyone can become HIV positive if they come in contact with the virus,
but some populations are more affected by the epidemic -- including men
who have sex with men (MSM), people who inject drugs and people with
multiple sex partners. If you're in one or more of these groups,
it's recommended that you be tested for HIV at least once a year.
Finally, seek out health care providers that you can talk to honestly
about your sex life, because they can share information with you about
making sex safer.[www.thebody.com/content/70125/hiv-in-the-united-states-at-a-glance.html].
2. Educate and fight stigma.Two of the biggest obstacles in getting to zero have been stigma and misinformation; so get educated and help spread the message that everyone is impacted by HIV, and that people living with HIV hold the same rights to respect, consideration, dignity, love, health and safety as those who are not. With the right medication, people living with HIV can get their viral load down to a number that makes transmission very unlikely. All communities can work at creating environments where people living with HIV need not feel fear or shame -- in part so they can seek and stay in treatment.
3. Get to your health care provider quickly if you believe you might have been exposed to HIV.If you have unprotected sex with a partner whose HIV status is positive, or uncertain, you can minimize your risk of contracting HIV by a course of treatment called post-exposure prophylaxis, or PEP. PEP only works if taken within 72 hours after exposure, and it's important to start taking it as soon as possible; be proactive and get to your care provider or an emergency room quickly. Provider knowledge of PEP is varied, so if the provider you see is unclear about PEP, suggest that he or she call the PEPline for health care providers -- 888-448-4911 -- for guidance.
4. There are also some very important developments in accessing care for people living with HIV that come with the Affordable Care Act,[aids.gov/federal-resources/policies/health-care-reform/]so spread the word.-Insurers are no longer able to deny coverage to children living with HIV or AIDS as pre-existing conditions. The law has also created the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan for adults who were previously locked out of the insurance market due to pre-existing conditions.
-They can’t cancel or rescind coverage due to mistakes on an application.
-They can no longer impose lifetime caps on insurance benefits.
-The Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act program remains important for those seeking HIV care, but implementation is different by state, so check online to see how you rstate policies impact your care.
5. If you are living with HIV, find out how to get into and stay in care. If you'retaking HIV meds, they'll work best if you stick to your treatment plan.Nearly two-thirds of people living with HIV are not retained in care, and there is significant evidence that effective antiretroviral therapy not only helps people living with HIV control the virus, but also substantially reduces the risk of HIV transmission.
We all need to work together to achieve an HIV-free generation. Getting to zero, that’s what World AIDS Day is all about.
Visit TheBody.com/WorldAIDS to learn more information about how you can get involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
