The Fight Against HIV is Not Over
The creator of It’s a Sin, Russell T Davies, has warned that the fight against HIV is not over. He expressed his concern and anger over the misinformation and stigma that still exist around the virus. Davies, who is gay, is considered a pioneer of LGBTQIA+ drama and has written a show that allows people to talk about a virus that had been surrounded by shame for so long.
The Impact of HIV
According to the World Health Organization, HIV is a major global public health problem, and it is estimated that 44.1 million people have died from the virus so far. Although it has no cure, antiviral drugs developed in the 1990s allow patients to live long and healthy lives. Davies recalled a time when fear of the virus was at the forefront of the public consciousness and deaths dominated the headlines.
Misinformation and Stigma
Davies said that while he remembered the heroes who stood up and fought against the virus, he was concerned and angered by the misinformation and stigma that still exist. He warned that there are great dangers looming, including HIV denialism, which is a growing force that is almost becoming political in some areas. He added that he is absolutely sure that the fight is not over and sometimes he is afraid that the fight is about to start again.
What is HIV?
HIV is a virus that weakens the immune system and increases the risk of serious illness. It is most commonly spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an HIV-infected person without using a condom. AIDS, or late-stage HIV, is the name for a number of serious diseases caused by the HIV virus. With proper treatment, most people with HIV do not develop AIDS and can live long, healthy lives.
Personal Stories
Mark Lewis, a senior policy adviser, recalled the moment he found out he had been infected with the virus. He experienced prejudice as a result of his diagnosis, including a dentist asking him whether it was safe for the clinic to treat him. Dr. Olwen Williams, who has been working in the field of sexual health and HIV since the late 1980s, remembered learning about the first reported cases of HIV in the UK and being unable to find any information about the condition in her textbooks.
The Way Forward
Davies said that it was the great privilege of his life to have written a show that allowed people to talk about a virus that had been surrounded by shame for so long. He added that there isn’t a single day that someone doesn’t stop him and say how much the show meant to them. Dr. Williams reflected on the joy she felt as a doctor when, thanks to modern medicine, she was able to tell people that they could live with HIV. She said that it’s phenomenal to be able to say in her life that she’s seen something go from a terminal illness to a chronic illness.
