HIV and AIDS: these two words refer to a painful reality very present in our lives. The HIV infection and its evolution towards AIDS is, together with cancer and dementias, one of the serious diseases for which even today science has not found a cure.

In the case of HIV, in addition to the effects of the disease itself, we find that implies a powerful stigma at the social level . The fact is that the detection of the human immunodeficiency virus and the idea of suffering and living with AIDS represent a hard blow that can cause serious psychological problems.

This article aims to reflect the difficulties that a person with HIV can go through on a psychological level , especially in the first moments.

HIV and AIDS: what are they?

Before going into detail regarding the psychological effects of their detection and suffering, it is important to bear in mind that, although linked, HIV and AIDS are not synonymous .

HIV refers to the human immunodeficiency virus, a retrovirus that affects the human immune system and causes progressive deterioration of the system by multiplying and destroying the lymphocytes (immune system cells) of the immune system. People who carry HIV are known as HIV positive , and can go up to ten years without evident symptoms.

AIDS or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome refers to the most advanced stages of this disease, in which HIV has caused the immune system to be unable to respond adequately to infections. These infections are called opportunistic infections.

Infection and Contagiousness

The modes of transmission of this disease, known today by a large majority of the population, are through contact between different types of mucous membranes and fluids, such as semen, vaginal fluids and blood.

Specifically, the most common form of transmission is through unprotected sexual contact (either vaginal or anal), followed by transmission through blood contact when sharing needles or razors. Mother-to-child transmission can also occur in untreated pregnant women, both during childbirth and while breastfeeding.

On the sexual side, it should also be noted that some people believe that because of their condition they can have unprotected sex with other people with HIV. It is important to point out that this is not correct, since this virus is highly mutable and there are multiple strains , so a person infected with one type of strain can be infected with others and produce a superinfection with HIV.

Getting tested

We have an unprotected sexual relationship or we prick our foot with a syringe lying in a park. Perhaps it was an oversight, or perhaps the subject believed that his sex partner seemed healthy and had no infection. It’s also possible that we were sexually assaulted. After experiencing the high-risk practice, there may be concern that the person in question was HIV-positive, and with uncertainty may come panic and anxiety.

The next step would be to take the test. This is a fundamental and very important aspect of being able to start antiretroviral treatment as soon as possible and at the same time prevent contagion . But many people are afraid and even avoid getting tested for fear that they might test positive.

This means serious harm for them in all areas, since if they are affected, delaying the treatment of this disease makes it easier for it to spread to other people and at the same time, doubt about their possible suffering sets in, which in turn will generate a deep and continuous level of frustration, anxiety and fear.

Problems in detection

It should be noted that there is a window period in which the tests are unreliable and can be negative despite the infection. This is because the immune system has not yet developed antibodies against the virus, at which point seroconversion occurs. This period is usually between three and six months, although it may be longer depending on the case (for example, in patients undergoing chemo or radiotherapy).

However, many people do not realize the risk they are at, or do not believe they can catch it because they do not perceive any obvious symptoms in themselves or in their sexual partners. This may result in the subject not being treated or even being able to infect others because they do not know their serological status.

For this reason it is essential to make the population (especially the high-risk population) aware of the need to have it done at least once a year, and to make it easier to do so safely. In this sense, there are many organizations that have quick tests and knowledge in this regard that can be of great help.

The diagnosis and the moments after

The moment of communication of the diagnosis is one of the most difficult, and in it it can be of great importance to have counseling and guidance services in the services that are in charge of making the test. The notification of this fact is a hard blow for and can cause severe shock for the patient, whose reactions can range from a panic attack to the absence of an immediate reaction.

The main thing at this time is to offer emotional support , while providing information regarding what the infection involves and means, teaching preventive and self-management measures and motivating the subject to adhere to the treatment.

Likewise, another factor of great difficulty for the diagnosed person is the time of communicating the fact to his/her environment and possible sexual partners that he/she has had recently. In fact, many subjects hide their state and withdraw into themselves without seeking any type of help or emotional support. It is not uncommon to have adaptive syndromes, acute stress disorder, or even post-traumatic stress disorder.

As with other serious chronic diseases, it is likely that the subject will experience grief, with a period of initial denial, anger, bargaining, resignation and acceptance of the fact. In some cases these people may even have suicidal thoughts and even actual suicide attempts, making psychological and environmental support essential. It can be very helpful to participate in and attend support groups, training in problem solving and various psychological and relaxation techniques.

Living with HIV: psychological effects

HIV infection is a chronic, incurable problem that is a major global health problem. Fortunately, despite the lack of a cure, medical advances and antiretroviral treatment have meant that in those cases where the disease is treated, it has gone from being fatal in a few years to being manageable and becoming a chronic disease.

However, its detection is a hard blow for those who suffer from it and the existence of a great number of changes in the lives of patients, who in addition to the disease itself often experience different disorders such as depression, panic attacks and anxiety as a result of the knowledge of suffering from this condition.

Somatic symptoms are also likely to occur due to anxiety, which people may relate to their condition. It is not uncommon for them to be distracted, irritable, or feel guilty about having been infected. Self-esteem can be greatly diminished, and it is not uncommon for anhedonia, emptiness, and fear to occur.

On a social level it is not strange that the subject tends to withdraw and isolate himself , both due to his emotional state and the fear of infecting others. Likewise, HIV implies a stigma that may make other people avoid contact with the subject or that the subject considers that he or she is going to be rejected by his or her environment, and there are serious prejudices at the social and labour level.

At the sexual and affective level there is also usually a significant inhibition, even when you have a stable partner who knows the subject’s seropositivity and that protection mechanisms are used. All of this promotes the presence of affective disorders , which in turn is harmful given that stress diminishes the action of the immune system.

It should also be noted that maintaining the treatment is essential and for life, even though it may cause side effects. In addition to the subject himself, he must also prepare himself for the environment and offer advice and guidance.

Concluding

The above-mentioned aspects refer to different problems that people who are detected with HIV when they are diagnosed due to their knowledge of the disease itself, especially in the early stages. But being diagnosed with this disease does not imply living an unhappy life . The person with HIV today can live a normal, long and full life.

Bibliographic references:

  • Avelar, V.Y.; Cornejo, I.B. and Torres, J.D. (2011). Psychological effects on people of both sexes between the ages of 20 and 50 diagnosed with HIV in the period from January 2006 to June 2010 belonging to the Salvadoran foundation for the fight against AIDS “Maria Lorena” (CONTRASIDA) of the municipality of San Salvador. University of El Salvador. Faculty of Science and Humanities. Department of Psychology.
  • Prieto, F.; Casaña, S.; Ibarguchi, L. and Pérez, S. (2007) Psychological effects of people affected by HIV-AIDS: Lines of action. Positive Support Association.