A Galway nurse and her father are part of a new campaign to address the stigma of a HIV diagnosis in Ireland. The HSE in partnership with people living with HIV, this week launched ‘You, Me and HIV,’ a new nationwide campaign to address misconceptions around HIV and help reduce the stigma experienced by people living with HIV in Ireland.
The campaign features people living with HIV and their loved ones. The campaign was developed by the HSE in close collaboration with people living with HIV and community and voluntary groups.
In a recent survey seven in 10 people did not know that when a person living with HIV is on effective treatment, they cannot pass it on to sexual partners.
In the campaign, Galway nurse and HIV activist Aoife Commins and her father Pat Commins share their memories of when Aoife got her HIV diagnosis:
Aoife says “the worst part of the diagnosis wasn’t actually being told I had HIV, because I knew I was going to be ok, and live a normal, healthy life. I think the hardest part was the stigma.”
Pat adds, “It was really reassuring to hear that Aoife with the medication, could go on and live a long life and have her own family too. If I could change one thing in Ireland it would be to increase public awareness and understanding of HIV.”
Research has found that late diagnosis is often related to fear of diagnosis and stigma, highlighting the need to reduce stigma around HIV and testing. The latest figures from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC ) show a decrease in the rate of first-time HIV diagnoses in Ireland in 2023. However, nearly two in five people (39% ) were diagnosed late.
Knowing your HIV status allows you to get access to essential treatment and care to live a healthy life. Advancements in treatment for HIV, mean that people on effective treatment cannot pass HIV to sexual partners. In a recent survey, 71% of Irish adults were unaware of these advances in treatment. In addition, effective treatment in pregnancy prevents HIV transmission to babies.
HIV activists, and ‘Poz Vibes’ podcast creators Enda McGrattan, also known as drag star Veda Lady, and Robbie Lawlor, are among the people involved in the campaign. Veda explains why a change is needed, “We need to bring healing to the community, honour our past by ending HIV stigma and also ending HIV. Our main message is the scientific fact that once on effective treatment we can’t pass HIV on. We still need to get that message out, loud and clear to the general public but I think things are finally changing in Ireland, and I feel honoured to be a part of that movement.”
Robbie, says, “We have partnered with the HSE to let everyone know there is nothing shameful about living with HIV. Like anyone else, with effective treatment, we can live long, happy lives and there is zero chance that we can pass on HIV to our sexual partners.”
HIV Fact Check
· HIV, regardless of whether or not a person is on treatment, is not passed on from kissing, or from using the same cups, plates, forks or toilet seats. You can’t get HIV from shaking someone’s hand or giving them a hug.
· People on effective treatment cannot pass HIV to sexual partners. When a person living with HIV is on effective treatment, the viral load is so low that it is not detected in their blood. This is often referred to as 'undetectable' equals 'untransmittable' (U=U ).
· People living with HIV on effective treatment can have healthy pregnancies and go on to deliver healthy babies without passing on the virus. Effective treatment in pregnancy prevents infection in babies. HIV is not a reason to avoid pregnancy.
· HIV and AIDS are not the same thing. HIV is a virus that attacks the human immune system weakens its ability to fight infection and disease. AIDS describes the group of illnesses that you can get in the late stage of HIV infection. Most people with HIV will not develop AIDS-related illnesses because of the advancements in treatments.
· With effective treatment, those living with HIV can go on to live a long, and healthy life.
