Startling new data warns that HIV cases may be on the rise in England, serving as a ‘crucial reminder’ that we must safeguard our sexual health. The worrying results, unveiled by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), suggest heterosexual men in England were among those most impacted by HIV cases between 2022 and 2023.
In just one year, their new diagnoses surged by a staggering 36% after exposure ‘through sex with women’. It’s a figure that’s more than triple the increase among those within the LGBTQ community, as per MailOnline, while women ‘exposed to HIV through sex with men’ also saw cases rocket by 30%.
Although it’s uncertain what exactly has driven this spike, some experts suggest it may be influenced by a multitude of different factors, including a lax attitude towards sexual protection or even an increase widespread STI testing.
Dr Lawrence Cunningham, a GP at the UK Care Guide, told The Express: “The reported jump in HIV diagnoses by over 30% within a year is indeed alarming. This sharp increase could indicate various factors, ranging from increased testing and awareness to actual rises in infection rates.
“If anything the UKHSA data serves as a crucial reminder that despite advancements in treatment and prevention, HIV remains a significant public health concern. Enhanced testing initiatives and public awareness campaigns have undeniably led to more people getting diagnosed.
“However, we cannot ignore the possibility that certain behaviours and social factors might be contributing to the actual increase in new infections. For instance, complacency due to the availability of effective HIV treatments might lead to risky sexual behaviours.”
HIV – short for human immunodeficiency virus – is a virus that damages the cells in your immune system and weakens your everyday ability to fight infections, according to the NHS. Without treatment, this may lead to the onset of AIDs (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) which may have life-threatening complications.
While HIV is transmissible, AIDs is not. Chiming into the conversation, Dr Gareth Nye, a senior lecturer at Chester Medical School, claimed that ‘more action’ is needed to address emerging cases.
He especially drew attention to ethnic minorities who remain ‘disproportionately affected in a big way’, adding that ‘special attention should be brought in here’. “Much more work is needed to share the benefits and accessibility of tests and treatments to ensure HIV transmission is ended,” Dr Nye told The Express.
“What is of great concern is that the number of new diagnoses is increasing in almost every group of sexual orientation and across the genders. Men being exposed to HIV through sex with women has rose by 36% with a 30% increase for women having sex with men.
“Although some of this will be through increased rates of getting tested, the number of tests remain lower than before the COVID pandemic and so we are seeing an increase in diagnoses. A large proportion of newly diagnosed patients are being found at a later stage when damage is already begun within the body which is a huge red flag as HIV on the whole is now a manageable condition if treated earlier post transmission.
“The caveat here is that the way the UKHSA present and collate data can be slightly misleading and some careful review of the data in context is required. There is much to be positive about though with treatment rates and prevention but there remain barriers to removing HIV transmission entirely.”
Importantly, HIV is not only transmitted through sexual intercourse but sharing needles and contact with infected bodily fluids too. Dr Nye summarised: “The ultimate fact is HIV is a silent disease and can be spread easily between people, rates are increasing and so its on the public to get tested regularly and use suitable protection with condoms or other barrier forms.
“…HIV is a disease that can be very well managed now and with the correct treatment, HIV positive patients will be unable to transmit the virus to anyone else. There is no reason that any HIV patient cannot live a very long and happy life.”
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