An organization is using self-isolation measures as an opportunity to fight another virus: HIV.
The London-based organization 56 Dean Street said that HIV infection rates are low due to self-isolation measures put in place to fight coronavirus, which means right now is a great time to get tested.
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Since fewer people are hooking up, there are fewer new cases of HIV. People who recently get HIV often don’t know they have the virus and they are also “super infectious,” according to 56 Dean Street’s website.
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The U.K.’s stay-at-home order has “broken a chain of onward infections that’s been relentless & consistent for decades; this gives us an unprecedented opportunity – to literally interrupt an epidemic (or two),” tweeted David Stuart, who works for the organization.
Fewer hook-ups since lockdown has resulted in a huge reduction of HIV and other STIs. It's broken a chain of onward infections that's been relentless & consistent for decades; this gives us an unprecedented opportunity – to literally interrupt an epidemic or two. pic.twitter.com/URPmXlgH01
— David Stuart (@davidastuart) April 30, 2020
The organization is promoting free self-test kits at this moment of few transmissions “alter the course of our city’s HIV epidemic.”
It's so easy -see the link below to order your home testing kit.
If enough people do this, we can change the course of our HIV (&STI) epidemics.
Gay, bi & Queer Londoners; please order & please share.
Be a part of a sexier & different future for us all.https://t.co/qRzHDrsSVJ— David Stuart (@davidastuart) April 30, 2020
“People that test positive can start medication straight away which will mean they can’t pass it on,” the organization says.
“We may never have this opportunity again.”
