PRINCE GEORGE—Over 9500 British Columbians live with HIV, however thanks to medical research it is no longer death sentence.
Now day’s we have two medications to protect against HIV, the first being PrEP.
“Prep is pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV,” explains Brett Chaisson, pharmacy manager, Third Ave pharmacy. “That’s medication that’s provided to people that may or may not be engaging in high risk HIV exposure activities. So, this might prevent an infection before it occurs by them having the antiretroviral oils in their system before being exposed to the virus.”
If you do get HIV you have a variety of treatment processes to prevent it from developing into AIDS. these treatments are retroviral drugs which stops the virus from replicating in the body. Most treatments can be safely used with gender affirming or menopausal hormone therapies. However side effects may occur.
If taken long enough people with HIV will have their viral load decrease to undetectable levels when blood is drawn. This also means their potential to spread the illness is decreased. That being said safe sex is even more important in this case.
“I would definitely say bring up with any potential future partners. Say like, I do have HIV, but maybe my viral load is undetectable or say, your partner is on PrEP than they would, potentially be able to get exposed to the HIV retrovirus and still not contract it,” continues Brett Chaisson.
It is extremely important to get tested because when HIV is caught early the treatment is easier
“According to the research we have for now, it says like 20% of Canadians, they don’t really know whether they have HIV or not,” says Vibusha Madanayake Education Manager, Positive Living North. “It’s really important to get tested regularly. HIV is not anymore a death sentence. So, if you have HIV, then go and meet your family doctor or go for a walk in clinic and meet your nursing practitioner or doctor and get the proper treatment.”
Positive Living north provides testing for HIV and HCV through the Fire Pit Cultural Center.
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Email: sam.bennison@pattisonmedia.com
