In Great Britain fewer and fewer people are becoming infected with the HIV virus. This gives rise to hope that the virus can be defeated in the foreseeable future. A broad series of tests led to two surprising findings.
When Elton John sings, speaks and performs, many people listen, including members of the British Parliament. For years, the pop giant and his foundation have been committed to stopping the spread of HIV, dismantling stigma and supporting those affected.
This week he met politicians in the House of Commons to discuss health policy and had a message: “The number of new infections in the UK has fallen by 46 percent since 2015.” Great Britain could be the first country to beat this terrible virus. “Let’s get to it.”
There is good reason for this optimism. If detected early, HIV can be easily treated. There are also medications that, taken before sexual contact, prevent infection.
Experiment and knowledge
However, it is particularly important to provide information and carry out tests. Britain’s NHS has just completed a trial to carry out more testing. Anyone who had to have a blood test in England – regardless of the reason – was automatically tested for HIV unless he or she objected.
This 18-month project conducted a total of 1.4 million HIV tests at 33 hospitals in regions where infection rates are higher. Infections were found in 934 people.
“This means we detect infection primarily in those who would probably not have had themselves tested for HIV,” says Nicola Jones from the aid organization Terrence Higgins Trust. “In particular, more heterosexual people, women and black people tested positive in this experiment.”
Surprised sick people
Most of the people who tested positive would never have even thought that they were infected with HIV. Early diagnosis enables significantly better treatment. Patients live longer and experience significantly fewer restrictions. And if you know about your illness, you can also help prevent further infections.
More testing is an important step towards achieving the government’s goal of reducing the number of new infections to zero by 2030.
A new trend
Health experts have been noticing a new trend for two years now: the number of heterosexual people testing positive in England exceeds the number of homosexuals. For 2022, the authorities registered 1,101 and 1,731 cases respectively. A development that shows why it is important to expand testing.
Nicola Jones points out that proportionately more homosexual people are still infected with HIV than heterosexual people. But to eradicate the disease, efforts are needed in all circles of society.
The government has now announced that it will continue and expand the project. Maybe because Elton John campaigned so vehemently for it.
Christoph Prössl, ARD London, tagesschau, December 1st, 2023 7:00 a.m