Brits urged to get HIV tests as heterosexual diagnoses higher for first time in a decade
February 11 | Posted by mrossol | Coronavirus, Health, VaccineNow why would we be starting to see concerns about HIV? Especially in heterosexuals? mrossol
BRITS have been urged to come forward for HIV tests after heterosexual diagnoses of the illness have overtaken those in gay men.
It’s the first time the cases have shifted in decades and research shows that testing rates have dropped a third.
It comes after a new HIV ‘super strain’ has been detected in with 109 new cases.
The new ‘super-strain’ – called “VB” – was first found in the Netherlands as part of a study that collects samples.
Data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows that in England in 2020, half of all new HIV diagnoses were in heterosexuals – compared to 45 per cent in gay and bisexual men.
In response to the testing results, HIV test kits will be made available from today for free and anyone who’s sexually active has been encouraged to test and know their HIV status.
During 2020 heterosexuals testing for HIV dropped by 33 per cent, compared to just seven per cent in gay and bisexual men.
This drop is believed to be down to the Covid pandemic, where people were encouraged to only use NHS services for ‘serious issues’, with many people feeling as though sexual wellness wasn’t on the list.
Experts had previously said that the coronavirus lockdowns could ‘wipe out HIV’, after transmission of the condition plummeted.
Dr Alan McGowan encouraged people to get tested during lockdown as many people hadn’t been having sex – which he said meant there were ‘less infectious people’ around.
The new data also revealed that heterosexual men were more likely to be diagnosed later than bisexual or gay men.
More than half (51 per cent) of women, 55 per cent of heterosexual men and 66 per cent of those aged 65 and over diagnosed with HIV in 2020 were diagnosed at a late stage.
This compares to just 29 per cent of gay and bisexual men.
Being diagnosed later on means that damage to the immune system has already started.
What are the symptoms of HIV?
Most infected people experience a short illness, similar to flu, two to six weeks after coming into contact with HIV.
These symptoms, which 80 per cent of infected people experience, are a sign that their body is trying to fight HIV. They include:
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Body rash
- Tiredness
- Joint and/or muscle pain
- Swollen glands
After this illness, which normally lasts one to two weeks, HIV sufferers will have no symptoms for up to 10 years – during which time they will look and feel well.
However, the virus will continue to cause progressive damage to a person’s immune system.
Only once the immune system is already severely damaged will the person show new symptoms. These include:
- Weight loss
- Chronic diarrhoea
- Night sweats
- Skin problems
- Recurrent infections
- Serious, life-threatening illnesses
Taku Mukiwa, Head of Health Programmes at Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “For the very first time there are more heterosexuals than gay and bisexual men being diagnosed with HIV.
“Heterosexuals also saw a far steeper drop in testing for HIV during the Covid-19 lockdown and are far more likely to be diagnosed late.
“That’s why we need to see more heterosexuals getting tested to avoid anyone living with undiagnosed HIV for a long time.
“This is important for their own health as well as for efforts to stop HIV being passed on as the vast majority of people get HIV from someone who is unaware they have it.”
Experts at the charity said that a lack of heterosexual men getting HIV tests is likely driven by a belief that they are not at risk of HIV which is often reinforced by healthcare professionals.
They added that increased HIV testing is crucial as it’s estimated that around five per cent of people living with HIV in the UK are unaware.
We encourage everyone to take up the offer of a free test, only by knowing your HIV status can you be empowered to take action
Kate Folkard
This can have adverse affects on health and means they could pass on HIV without knowing.
They stated that the fall in cases in gay and bisexual men is a result of the growing availability of HIV prevention pill PrEP.
They said it’s also the result of targeted promotion of routine HIV testing followed by the rapid initiation of HIV treatment for those diagnosed, meaning they are more quickly virally suppressed and cannot pass on HIV.
Kate Folkard, Interim Deputy Director of the HIV Division at the UKHSA said that transmission needed to be reduced in all areas of the population.
She said that to end HIV transmission, it needed to be diagnosed early – with treatment starting promptly – with guidance available to help people with their treatment.
“Detecting HIV early allows effective treatment to start sooner and people diagnosed can expect to have a normal life expectancy.
“In addition, people living with HIV who are treated and maintain an undetectable level of virus cannot pass HIV, known as Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U).
“We encourage everyone to take up the offer of a free test, only by knowing your HIV status can you be empowered to take action.
“Through the HIV Action Plan, we will continue to work together with our partners across the health system to reach our goal of ending HIV transmission by 2030”, she explained.
Free HIV tests kits to do at home can be ordered via startswithme.org.uk during National HIV Testing Week or you can visit your local sexual health clinic.
https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/health/8396812/brits-urged-hiv-tests-heterosexual-diagnoses-higher/
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