Get The Facts About Living With HIV

Because we're all in this together.
From: NewNowNext

 On this week’s episode of Finding Prince Charming, Eric shares that he is living with HIV. He was met with support from Robert and the other suitors in the house.

 It is estimated that 15% of men who have sex with men today are living with HIV and, according to the CDC, HIV rates among young gay men have skyrocketed by 133% in just the past decade.

In 2014, gay and bisexual men accounted for 83% of the estimated new HIV diagnoses among all males aged 13 and older and 67% of the total estimated new diagnoses in the United States.

Today, we have the tools to enable those living with HIV to lead long and healthy lives, and the power to end the pandemic.

 RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE WITH HIV

There are effective treatments to help HIV-positive people live long, healthy and productive lives. With ongoing antiretroviral treatment it is possible to lower the amount of HIV in the blood to undetectable levels, which significantly lowers the chance of passing the virus to others.

If you are living with HIV, you can find resources on treatment, staying healthy, support, and more from the CDC.

 How and when do you disclose?

Choosing when to share your HIV status is a personal decision, though in states with mandatory disclosure laws it can be a legal one, as well.

If you plan to discuss your status, choose a time and place where you feel comfortable and can be open and honest with your partner. For more best practices and tips on HIV disclosure, visit Greater Than AIDS.

 HIV PREVENTION

Getting tested is the only way to know if you are HIV-positive. You can find free and confidential HIV testing locations at AIDS.gov.

The World Health Organization recommends gay men consider PrEP, a once-daily pill that helps protect against HIV, in addition to using condoms.

 When taken as prescribed, PrEP has been shown to reduce the risk of HIV infection to almost zero.

JOIN THE FIGHT AGAINST HIV STIGMA

You can help fight the stigma and discrimination that people living with HIV face by offering support and speaking out. Join Bianca Del Rio, Greg Lougainis, Mario Cantone and Billy Porter in the HIV Equal campaign or volunteer at a local organization like Gay Men’s Health Crisis in New York, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago or AIDS Project Los Angeles.