There are millions of us living with HIV. Why do we seem invisible?
Out of 120,000 people locally, and 37 million worldwide, it's unlikely we'll be the first positive case someone comes into contact with. "Should I tell them?" is often the question that divides opinions. And even though we're not obligated to do so, even though there are laws protecting our confidentiality, the question should be: Why should I tell them? And in what context?
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By Lucas Gutiérrez and Jon Amarillo
Currently in Argentina more than 120,000 people are HIV+: of these, 70% know it (1).
UNAIDS reported that in 2017 almost 37 million people were HIV positive worldwide (2).
So every time we are told that we are the first person with HIV they know, it makes us think about the invisibility we experience.
Out of 120,000 people locally, and 37 million worldwide, it's unlikely we'll be the first positive case someone comes into contact with. "Should I tell them?" is often the question that divides opinions. And even though we're not obligated to do so, even though there are laws protecting our confidentiality, the question should be: Why should I tell them? And in what context?
I would also add the question: what leads a person to not disclose their HIV status? Why don't we create safe spaces where people can share this information? This question reflects much of the violence and prejudice in society. If 70% of HIV-positive Argentinians know their status, this means that 30% do not. And many of the reasons for not getting tested range from a lack of information and awareness campaigns to a desire to remain ignorant in order to avoid facing stigma.
In 2017, there were 1.8 million new infections worldwide (2), and in Latin America, one of the regions with the most alarming numbers is Chile. The Chilean Ministry of Health reported that almost 70,000 people tested positive in that country, registering 5,816 new infections during 2017 (3), with the 20-29 age group being the most affected.
And amidst all these numbers and statistics, the questions we ask ourselves are: Do you really think I'm the first positive person you know? Why is it so hard for us to be visible? Why is this expected of us? Why do so many people avoid getting tested or not knowing?
We don't have the exact answer, but it's surely related to what was mentioned before: lack of campaigns and information, stigma and prejudice.
2: http://www.unaids.org/es/resources/fact-sheet
Visit Presentes every Thursday to find a new installment of Bicho and me.
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Bicho and I #29: Bicho and I against the patriarchy: “It’s going to fall! Or better yet: we’re going to knock it down!”
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Bicho and I #25: #LivingWithHIV Bicho and I: From Words to Deeds
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Bicho and I #11: HIV and AIDS are not the same
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BichoYYo #9: We urgently need our medication
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Bicho and I #1: the comic strip that tells in the first person what it's like to live with HIV
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