avert : reported that HIV can be eliminated among gay men in UK, say experts

The fall in new HIV infections among MSM, the group most affected by HIV in the UK, can be attributed to increased levels of HIV testing, particularly repeat testing, and swift treatment initiation. The five London clinics also had quicker linkages to care, where it took an average of 120 days between diagnosis and treatment initiation, compared to 190 days and 260 days for other London clinics and clinic outside of London respectively. Among heterosexuals over the same two periods, the number of new HIV infections remained the same. The decline in the HIV epidemic among gay men also corresponds with increased access to PrEP, either through the PROUD study, or bought direct from the internet. The number of MSM testing for HIV also dramatically improved, increasing by 50% between January and March 2013, and July and September 2016.

Fall in HIV among gay men could spell end for Britain's epidemic, say experts

What we are seeing is the first downturn of the HIV epidemic in gay men," said Delpech. This includes access to condoms, testing, PrEP and diagnosing and treating people as early as possible so they can become uninfectious. A big drop in the numbers of gay men becoming infected with HIV in London may signal that the Aids epidemic in Britain can be brought to a close, public health experts believe. "This is extremely positive news for gay and bisexual men, who continue to be one of the groups most affected by HIV. At the same time, significant numbers of gay men in London have been taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) – one of the same drugs that can prevent them becoming infected with the virus.

HIV cases drop among gay men

Experts said that a mixture of more frequent HIV testing and faster treatment could explain the downturn in HIV cases among gay men. A dramatic drop in the number of gay men with HIV could spell the end for Britain's Aids epidemic, experts say. Across England, cases of HIV among gay men dropped by 17 per cent, according to the new figures. A large drop in the number of gay men with HIV could spell the end for Britain's Aids epidemicWHAT IS PRE-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS? Source: Centres for Disease and Control PreventionsA 'phenomenal' resultValerie Delpech, head of HIV surveillance at Public Health England, said London's five largest clinics had seen a promising fall in HIV cases among gay men.


collected by :Lucy William
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