Aaron (right), from St. Louis, MO, has been living with HIV since 2011. In the video below, he talks about his diagnosis and the important care he's now receiving.
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More than 1.2 million Americans are living with HIV. Approximately 168,000 of those people have never been diagnosed. Additionally, more than 50% of those infected with HIV are not being treated.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) knows that the key way to help people living with HIV to achieve longer, healthier lives is by getting people the proper medical care they need in order to lower the levels of HIV in the body. Not only does viral suppression facilitate life spans that are near normal, but it inhibits transmission of HIV to others.
And only 30% of those living with HIV have achieved viral suppression. That number could be raised to 76% by getting people the proper care they need. People tend to avoid seeking care because of poor access, cost of pharmaceuticals, a lack of knowledge about treatments, and stigma attached to HIV, but the CDC's study shows how vitally important it is to get people tested for HIV, and into care as soon as possible once diagnosed.
In fact, a 20-year-old diagnosed with HIV who gets the proper medical treatment adds an average of nearly 40 years to his or her life.
Treatment works, and that's the message of the CDC's campaign which is informed by the input of more than 100 people living with HIV. In the video below, several of them talk about when they discovered they needed to seek care and the difference that it has made in their lives.
I think it's important to build a very important relationship with your medical provider because he's your go-to guy, or girl, when something's going on with your body," Says Yuri.
Adds Cedric: I had to make sure that I had someone who made me feel comfortable whenever I wanted to get my tests done…I still have so much more that I want to do. So now it's fine. I'm living. I'm happy."
To read more about how HIV treatment works, visit the CDC's website to find out how to get in care, stay in care, live well, and find the resources and social services providers that will help you achieve viral suppression and live a longer, healthier life.
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