Démystifier les idées reçues sur le VIH et le SIDA

An overview of HIV and AIDS

VIH signifie 'virus de l'immunodéficience humaine' et est un virus qui attaque le système immunitaire du corps, rendant plus difficile la lutte contre les infections et les maladies. Le VIH se transmet par les fluides corporels, y compris le sang, le sperme et les sécrétions vaginales, ce qui signifie qu'il est le plus souvent transmis par des rapports sexuels non protégés. Le VIH peut également être transmis par transfusions sanguines, par le partage d'aiguilles, et entre la mère et l'enfant pendant la grossesse, accouchement et l'allaitement.

SIDA signifie 'syndrome d'immunodéficience acquise' et se développe lorsque le VIH n'est pas traité. Le SIDA est l'ensemble des symptômes et infections associés au VIH qui survient lorsque le système immunitaire du corps est gravement endommagé à cause du virus.

Matteo Cassolato, lead for HIV prevention at Frontline AIDS, explique que, bien qu'il n'existe actuellement aucun remède ou vaccin contre le VIH, les traitements antirétroviraux modernes signifient que les personnes porteuses du virus peuvent vivre long and healthy lives. When taken regularly, these treatments can also prevent the transmission of HIV to sexual partners.

Il dit qu'on estime qu'au moins la moitié des personnes qui contractent le VIH présentent des symptômes précoces similaires à ceux de la grippe. C'est un signe que le corps essaie de combattre l'infection. Les symptômes courants incluent un mal de gorge, une température élevée et une éruption cutanée sur le corps. De plus, ils peuvent inclure fatigue, douleur musculaire et articulaire et swollen glands.

"Bien que les symptômes initiaux puissent disparaître après plusieurs semaines, le virus continue d'être actif et de causer des dommages au système immunitaire. L'individu peut ne plus ressentir de symptômes pendant de nombreuses années, mais une fois que le système immunitaire atteint un stade de déclin, il peut éprouver des problèmes croissants tels que régime amaigrissant, diarrhée, sueurs nocturnes, skin problems, or recurring infections," says Cassolato.

In the UK, there are four key methods of testing for HIV:

• Analyses de sang.

• Point of care tests.

• Home sampling kits.

• Home testing kits.

Some provide same-day results while others take a few days.

What are common misconceptions around HIV and AIDS?

The ways HIV is transmitted

"There are still misconceptions about how HIV can be transmitted, with some people incorrectly believing the virus can be passed from person to person via saliva, sweat or breathing in the same air," says Cassolato.

"A similar myth is that insects, particularly mosquitoes, can transmit HIV through their bites. However, this too is false: HIV is a fragile virus that becomes inactive very quickly after leaving the body."

VIH aussi ne pouvez pas être transmis via :

• Water.

• Sharing food or utensils.

• Touching someone who has HIV.

• Embrasser.

• Tears.

• Urine.

• Used condoms.

• Sharing towels.

• Door handles.

• New or sterilised needles.

HIV always leads to AIDS

While there is no absolute cure for HIV, it can be managed with medication nowadays, preventing it from ever developing into AIDS. Those who are HIV-positive can greatly reduce, or even eradicate, their chances of spreading the virus.

Ceux qui pensent avoir été exposés au VIH peuvent prendre prophylaxie post-exposition (PEP) medicine within 72 hours of coming into contact with the virus to reduce their chance of becoming infected.

Ceux qui ont un partenaire sexuel qui est (ou pourrait être) séropositif peuvent prendre PrEP, which stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. This combination of two drugs protects against HIV.

Those who test positive for HIV are closely monitored with regular blood tests before starting the treatment process.

Only certain groups of people can get HIV

Le VIH ne fait pas de discrimination et anyone can get it. Cependant, certaines personnes sont plus vulnérables. Celles qui ont sex without condoms ou qui partagent des aiguilles sont les plus à risque.

While not everyone has the same level of risk to getting HIV, everyone can reduce their risk of becoming infected.

It's easy to tell if someone has HIV

While there are visible symptoms of HIV, the virus will present differently in each person. Therefore, it is not always possible to tell that someone is infected, which is why getting tested is so important. Some may not experience symptoms at all. You also cannot tell if someone has HIV just by looking at them. Those taking effective treatment are likely to appear just as healthy as any other person without HIV.

AIDS is no longer an issue in the 21st century

There have been significant improvements in testing and traitement pour le VIH. This means that, in large parts of the world, someone who contracts the virus today can have a lifespan no different to someone without HIV. However, Cassolato explains that millions of people in low-income and middle-income countries lack access to HIV treatment. This places their health, and in some cases their lives, at risk. In 2020 alone, of the 37.7 million people globally living with HIV, 680,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses.

Where do these misconceptions come from?

Many of the misconceptions surrounding HIV and AIDS were very prominent and believed to be fact back in the early days. However, decades later, they continue to drive HIV-related stigma and discrimination all over the world. Cassolato suggests the reason they remain so widely believed is partly down to uneven access to quality education on sex and relationships. From a young age, children believe it is normal to 'other' those with HIV. By not being taught the facts about HIV, the belief remains that it doesn’t affect 'people like me'.

"The reality is that HIV continues to affect people and communities worldwide, as it has done for 40 years. Ensuring access to clear, accurate information about the virus, along with tackling myths and misinformation, is a vital part of HIV prevention worldwide," stresses Cassolato.

How are these misconceptions harmful?

"All over the world, misconceptions persist around HIV and AIDS, increasing stigma and setting back efforts to prevent HIV and support people living with the virus. As a result, people around the world continue to contract HIV every day. In 2020, there were 1.5 million new HIV infections," says Cassolato.

"Whilst we've made a lot of progress, HIV is spiking again among the most marginalised people. It is not a coincidence that HIV and AIDS disproportionately affect communities that are criminalised and marginalised, who often have the least power. This can increase their risk of contracting HIV and make them less likely to access effective testing, treatment and care if they do."

En continuant à perpétuer des mythes autour du VIH et du SIDA, cela signifie que les gens sont moins susceptibles de se faire dépister. Tant qu'il y a de la honte autour du fait d'être HIV-positive, people will fear getting that diagnosis and do anything to avoid it. But by not getting tested, people who are HIV-positive and don't know it, risk developing AIDS when left untreated. This can cause serious health complications and lead to death.

What can we do to dismantle these ideas?

"It's vital that we break down the social, political and legal barriers that continue to stand in the way of a future free from AIDS. This means collaborating with everyone from grassroots community groups to national governments. No single group or organisation can end AIDS alone - we need to have open conversations," says Cassolato.

He encourages people to read up on the reality of HIV and AIDS to understand how life has changed, rather than assuming the virus still looks as it did in the 1980s.

A final message ...

"I want people to know that in rich countries, like the UK, an HIV diagnosis no longer means what it did 40 years ago. Transformative progress on treatment means that people living with HIV can live long, happy and healthy lives.

"A person living with HIV can even expect a similar life expectancy to the general population, providing they are diagnosed in good time and can access effective HIV treatment," says Cassolato.

He says that while millions worldwide are already benefiting from effective treatments, millions aren’t.

"Every person living with HIV worldwide deserves access to high-quality treatment and care, to keep them well and ultimately to help end the epidemic for good. Everyone deserves that chance, no matter where in the world they live."