HIV is a virus that damages the body’s own defences, the immune system. If there is no diagnosis and subsequent treatment, the course of the disease almost always leads to serious illness after some time. Which is also called AIDS. HIV therapy keeps the number of viruses in the body under control. And prevents them from developing into AIDS and infecting other people during sex. By way of introduction, a brief historical introduction.
HIV and the queer community: a historical introduction
The queer community experienced some turbulent turning points in the 20th century. For example, the targeted persecution of queer people by psychiatry. And the political and social views, the emergence of the gay movement, lesbian feminism and queer culture, the decriminalisation and depathologisation of homosexuality, the legalisation of marriage for all and the lifting of the ban on military service for queer people.
As with all turning points, the impact of these events was filtered through characteristics such as gender, identity, ethnicity, class and age at the time of the event. For queer people born before 1930 who grew up in an era of political, medical and scientific oppression, the advent of queer liberation (which, sparked by Stonewall 1969 and similar uprisings, gave rise to a new celebratory lesbian, gay and queer culture based on the open expression of and pride in same-sex relationships) was the most significant event shaping their experience of queer life.
While these older queer people were between 50 and 70 years old in 1980, when HIV/AIDS emerged in the West, the gay male “baby boomers” (born 1946-1964) were between 16 and 34 years old.
The high number of AIDS deaths during the height of the epidemic strongly characterised the lives of male baby boomers. Gay men were affected by most of the AIDS deaths and organised to get a better government and scientific response.
Origin of the HI-Virus
The origin of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is still a subject of scientific debate. But researchers believe it is likely that the virus originated from chimpanzees in Central Africa. The most widely accepted theory is that the virus was transmitted to humans when people hunted. And then slaughtered chimpanzees for meat, coming into contact with the animals’ infected blood and body fluids. Despite advances in medical treatment and prevention efforts, the infection rate among queer people, and especially gay men*, remains disproportionately high.
The first cases of HIV in humans were detected in the 1980s. But the virus is thought to have been present in Africa several decades earlier. It is also thought that the virus spread relatively slowly at first. But then began to spread more rapidly due to a number of factors, including increased travel and migration, changes in sexual behaviour and reduced access to HIV prevention and treatment.
There are two main types of HIV: HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 is the more common and virulent strain of the virus and is responsible for most HIV infections worldwide. HIV-2 is less common and less contagious, and is mainly found in West Africa.
Advanced therapies and prevention measures such as condoms and PrEP have helped to control the virus and reduce transmission. The article covers symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of HIV.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms can vary from person to person and depend on the stage of infection. In some cases, people with HIV do not experience symptoms for many years. However, early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent the virus from progressing to a more advanced stage (AIDS) and improve overall health outcomes.
The following are some of the most common symptoms of HIV:
- Acute retroviral syndrome (ARS): This is the initial phase of infection that occurs 2 to 4 weeks after first contact with the virus. Symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, skin rash, swollen lymph nodes and sore throat. These symptoms can last from a few days to several weeks.
- Asymptomatic stage: After the acute phase, some people do not experience any symptoms for several years. Even though the virus is still present in their bodies.
- Early symptomatic HIV infection: As infection progresses, people may experience symptoms such as fever, weight loss, chronic diarrhoea, fatigue and swollen lymph nodes. These symptoms may be mild and intermittent at first, but over time they can become more severe.
- Advanced HIV infection: In the late stages of infection, symptoms may include severe weight loss, chronic diarrhoea, night sweats, frequent infections and neurological problems
It is important to know that these symptoms can be caused by a variety of diseases. And that the presence of these symptoms does not necessarily mean that a person has the virus. The only way to know for sure if you could be infected with HIV is to get tested as soon as possible if you suspect it.
Get tested for HIV on a regular basis!
The higher HIV risk among queer men* of contracting this STI comes from several factors. One of the main reasons is that anal sex is a very efficient way of transmitting HIV. And this is the primary sexual behaviour among many queer/gay men*. This is because anal intercourse can cause small tears in the rectal mucosa. Which can serve as a portal of entry for the virus.
Another factor is that many gay men* have several sexual partners. Which increases the likelihood of coming into contact with HIV. In addition, condoms are not used consistently or correctly, either because there is no access to them or because social and cultural factors prevent the use of condoms.
Finally, stigma and discrimination can also hinder access to health care and HIV prevention services. This can lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment, which can increase the risk of transmission.
How is it treated?
HIV treatment is only effective in reducing the amount of virus in the body (viral load) and preventing the progression of infection. As a rule, HIV-positive people take 1–2 tablets a day and go for a check-up every three months, and can thus live well and for a long time. While a complete cure is not yet possible, people living with HIV should talk to their healthcare provider about starting treatment as soon as possible.
Gay men* are still disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. However, there are many effective strategies to prevent HIV transmission. Including condom use, PrEP, PEP, testing, treatment, harm reduction, and community engagement.
Prevention among queer men
Despite the challenges faced by gay men*, there are many effective strategies for HIV prevention. These include:
- Condom use: Condoms are an effective way to prevent the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
- Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP): PrEP is a medication that can be taken by people at high risk of HIV. It is effective in preventing HIV transmission when taken as prescribed. Talk to your doctor about whether PrEP is an option and suitable for you. If you are considering PrEP: PrEP is a medicine that can reduce the risk of contracting the virus, but it does not protect you from other STIs like chlamydia.
- Postexposure prophylaxis (PEP): PEP is a medication that can be taken after a possible exposure to HIV. It is most effective if taken preferably within two hours, otherwise preferably within 24 hours, at the latest 48 hours after exposure. Gay men who suspect that they have come into contact with HIV should seek medical treatment immediately.
- Testing: Regular HIV testing is important for all sexually active people, but especially for gay men*. Testing can help detect infection early, which can improve health outcomes and prevent further transmission.
- Harm reduction: Harm reduction strategies, such as needle exchange programmes and opioid substitution therapy, can help reduce HIV transmission among gay men* who use drugs.
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