In February, we celebrate our resilience and pride in belonging to Aotearoa’s colourful and diverse rainbow community. This Pride Month, we want to ensure we are as festive as we are conscious of our sexual health. That is, of course, regardless of your gender identity or sexual orientation. However, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to affect rainbow communities disproportionally in New Zealand.
When it comes to all STIs, knowing your status is the first step to staying healthy. It is better to know soon so you can take charge of your health and stay in control. With HIV, if you have a positive result, it is important you engage in treatment as soon as possible. HIV treatment has evolved over the decades to great efficacy and minimal inconvenience. Current and publicly funded medication options in the country usually entail two pills a day, rarely cause side effects, and are provided to everyone irrespective of residency status. Treatment allows people living with HIV to lead perfectly healthy and long lives and achieve an undetectable viral load. When undetectable, one cannot pass the virus on. That is the U=U science (undetectable equals untransmittable). Plus, you won’t be alone: plenty of resources are available, including our peer support at Body Positive, free counselling at Burnett Foundation, and gender-specific services at Positive Women.
If you have a negative result, we can discuss a prevention strategy to keep you negative and healthy. Using condoms and lube continues to be an effective option for preventing HIV. However, it is no longer the only one available. The most effective single prevention method for HIV is PrEP – or pre-exposure prophylaxis. PrEP is a pill that contains HIV medication prescribed to HIV-negative individuals. When taken as recommended, PrEP is 99% effective against HIV acquisition. Likewise, PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) can be as effective when started within 72 hours after potential exposure to HIV. You can access PEP through GPs and emergency rooms. PrEP and PEP are the same drugs, just taken differently according to your exposure situation (pre or post).
In any case, you should get tested regularly rather than on an event basis. Twice a year is recommended but if you have multiple partners and don’t always use condoms, every three months is even better. Getting tested regularly keeps you engaged with your sexual health, allows for early detection and treatment of STIs and supports your general health.
We are a colourful and diverse community that is stronger and more resilient when individually and collectively healthy. Shifting our perception of HIV away from the past and towards the advances in science and society is crucial to keeping us all united and in good health. HIV stigma generates fear of testing and perpetuates discrimination. HIV knowledge, on the other hand, liberates us and moves us towards a brighter future.
