HIV in the 21st Century: The Facts

• HIV is no longer a death sentence - you can live to a ripe old age with it
• Modern HIV treatment not only keeps you alive, it stops the virus from being passed on
• You can have healthy, HIV-free children
• There’s even a pill to stop you getting HIV in the first place (PreP)
• There’s also treatment (PEP) to stop HIV if you think you’ve been recently exposed to it
• You can test by post for HIV and other conditions in the comfort of your own home
• Testing, treatment and prevention are all free for everyone in Wales

HIV treatment in Wales and the wider UK has made remarkable progress over the past few decades.

In the early days of the epidemic, an HIV diagnosis was often considered a death sentence. Today, thanks to advances in antiretroviral therapy (ART), people living with HIV can lead long, healthy lives.

Treatment is now highly effective, with one daily pill suppressing the virus to undetectable levels, meaning it cannot be passed on to sexual partners - a fact summed up in the campaign message: U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable).

In fact, the UK has been a global leader in HIV care. In 2023, the UK met the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets: 95% of people living with HIV were diagnosed, 95% of those were on treatment, and 95% of those on treatment were virally suppressed.

Wales has also expanded access to free HIV testing, including online home-testing kits, and introduced pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) which is available on the NHS to help prevent HIV transmission.

Despite these successes, stigma remains a major barrier. Misinformation, outdated beliefs, and persistent associations between HIV and certain marginalised communities fuel prejudice and silence. People living with HIV still face discrimination in healthcare, employment, and personal relationships. In rural or close-knit communities, fear of being "outed" can prevent individuals from accessing testing or treatment. Media portrayals often fail to reflect the reality of modern HIV care, reinforcing old stereotypes.

Combatting stigma requires more than medical advances - it demands public education, inclusive policies, and open conversations. While science has transformed HIV into a manageable condition, social attitudes have not kept pace.

Ending stigma is crucial, not just for the wellbeing of those living with HIV, but for achieving a future where HIV transmission is eliminated entirely.