Stephanie and Charles Desert. — © Joris Herregods
HIV is no longer transmissible if the HIV-positive partner takes his or her medication. Sensoa, the Flemish expertise center for sexual health, wants to convey this positive message before World AIDS Day (December 1). Stephanie (32) testifies that you can lead a perfectly normal life with HIV. She is seven months pregnant with a seronegative baby.
Elien Van Wynsberghe
“It has been known for some time that HIV is no longer transmissible when HIV-inhibiting medication is taken correctly,” says Boris Cruyssaert of Sensoa. “We only notice that very many people are not aware of this. As a result, there is still a stigma attached to people living with HIV. We want to get rid of that stigma.”
Because the current medication reduces the viral load of the HIV virus to such an extent that a classic HIV test can no longer determine the presence of the virus. Even more remarkable is that the medication also ensures that the virus is no longer transmitted through sexual contact, even during sex without a condom.
The latter was proven in 2018 by two studies. In the first study, 888 couples in 14 European countries were followed for several years, of which one partner is HIV-positive and one partner is HIV-negative. These couples had sex without a condom 58,500 times. Afterwards, the researchers did not detect any transmission of the HIV virus. The second study repeated this study with 800 gay couples. They had sex without a condom 77,000 times and the result was the same here: no transmission of the virus was found anywhere.
Pregnant
“Hopefully, this information will ensure that we treat people with HIV in a normal way,” says Cruyssaert. West Flemish Stephanie (32) also wants to fight for that. She became infected with HIV five years ago. “Of course that was a shock to me. You don’t think this can happen to you as a white, straight woman in this day and age. So I was also prejudiced in that respect. But I quickly stood with my two feet on the ground.”
Fortunately, she was immediately reassured by her doctor. “You can lead a perfectly normal life with HIV”, she also knows today. Belgium scores remarkably well when it comes to the treatment of people with HIV. In 97% of people undergoing treatment, a classic test can no longer detect the virus.
She never noticed anything physically, says Stephanie. “Except that I was tired. But I work in healthcare, everyone is tired there.” Meanwhile, Stephanie is pregnant with her first child. A little boy. She is due to give birth in February. “My baby is seronegative. So even with HIV you can have healthy children in a natural way. That was immediately impressed on me when I was diagnosed. And if I can bring a healthy baby into the world, then that’s the best proof that I’m not contagious. Not even for my partner.”
Stephanie, pregnant with her first child. — © Joris Herregods
Stigma in sub-Saharan communities
Not only Sensoa, but also the HIV-SAM project associated with the Tropical Institute focuses on HIV prevention and awareness. In particular, the project focuses on the sub-Saharan African communities in Flanders. Because in addition to the gay community, that group stands out in terms of infections.
“Our organization supports people with HIV and we also work outreach with the aim of spreading correct information within our target group,” says Charles Ddungu of HIV-SAM. “The perception that HIV equals death is still strong within these communities. HIV is also still associated with sexual promiscuity. This is one of the reasons why people do not always want to get tested. They fear the stigma. It is therefore very important that we provide correct information.”
Charles Ddungu van HIV-SAM. — © Joris Herregods