CHALLENGING STIGMA IN THE HAIR, BEAUTY AND BARBERING SECTOR 

At George House Trust we’re committed to challenging HIV stigma and discrimination. That’s why, with funding from Manchester City Council, we undertook research about the experiences of people living with HIV when accessing hair, beauty, barbering and cosmetic procedures and treatments.

WHAT DOES UNDETECTABLE EQUALS UNTRANSMITTABLE MEAN?

HIV is a long-term health condition that is easily manageable with medication. People living with HIV and on treatment can expect to live a normal life span.

HIV treatment effectively reduces the amount of the virus in the body to the point where it cannot be detected.

This means that people who are on effective HIV treatment with an undetectable viral load cannot pass HIV on during sex.

HIV treatment has made huge advances.

ATTENTION: Coronavirus (Covid-19)

BHIVA statement on management of a pregnant woman living with HIV and infant testing during Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The dietary guidance for someone living with HIV is more or less the same as for anyone else. It is important to keep an eye on your cholesterol so cutting down on processed meats, fats and sugars could be beneficial.

It is also important to have a balanced diet that includes the main food groups to include carbohydrates, protein and dietary fibre as well as limited amounts of fats, and in particular saturated fats.

If you have concerns about your diet, or smoking and alcohol intake, then you could speak to your GP.

Many people living with HIV are concerned about HIV and employment and any issues that may raise.  For the vast majority of jobs, there is no requirement that means you must tell your employer about your HIV diagnosis.  If you are worried about your confidentiality being breached, or being treated differently, then you may want to consider this carefully, but employers do have a responsibility to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ (for example, time off for clinic appointments) under the law.  People with HIV and who disclose their HIV status are protected under the Equality Act 2010.

HIV testing has never been easier.  Service providers now offer HIV tests in clinical settings and a wide range of community locations at times that you are likely to find convenient.

EARLY DIAGNOSIS

Knowing your HIV status puts you in control of your health and means you can access the medical treatment and support you need to stay well.  With early diagnosis, treatment and healthcare, people living with HIV can expect a normal life expectancy.  You can only know your HIV status by taking a HIV test

Due to new developments in treatments there are now a variety of drugs available to treat HIV. The drugs used to treat HIV are more refined and more effective than they have ever been, they’re much safer and have fewer side effects associated with them.  These improvements have dramatically changed the life expectancy of people living with HIV. Medically, HIV is classed as a long term manageable condition.

PEP

PEP is a combination of HIV drugs which can be used to reduce the likelihood of a HIV negative person getting HIV after they have been exposed to the virus.  PEP needs to be prescribed, and can be obtained from A&E departments or sexual health clinics.  PEP needs to be taken as soon after exposure as possible to increase its chances of working effectively.  In the UK, PEP can be taken up to 72 hours after exposure.  However, it is much less likely to be effective when used this late.

CD4 COUNT

This measure is an indication of the strength of the immune system.

CD4 cells are an extremely important part of our immune system, HIV attacks these cells which can affect the number of them in the body.  Doctors will test a cubic ml of blood, and use this to determine the CD4 count i.e. the number of CD4 cells in the sample.  This will then allow the doctor to see how healthy a person’s immune system is. The higher the CD4 count, the healthier the immune system is.