U=U campaign - does it change anything?

[Jim Allen]

U=U campaign

Might be an unpopular opinion but ill share and see what the thoughts are.

So seen a lot of posts on social media and people talking in HIV groups regarding how much difference this campaign means to people living with HIV ect. But I see few practically first-hand experiences of how it has made a difference.

So for me, the Swiss statement and TaSP isn't new, so maybe I am in the minority. The Questions and interactions I get are the same ludicrous crap as before U=U, except I  sometimes get asked if my VL is UD as if my viral load would somehow create a risk where non-existed in the first place, like using the same cup etc. and essential day to day contact.

The ignorant will remain ignorant no matter the slogan.

So, maybe my world is different from others, or I'm in the minority, right? So does anyone here have a directly good experience thanks to the U=U campaign and not the science behind it?

From my world and point of view, the only good thing about U=U is the attention to TaSP/Swiss statement as it did not get enough attention beforehand. However, it doesn't make a real difference and I have to admit I had ignored U=U when it started as a fad and it's far from a perfect message.

[daveR]

Nothing positive about it. It is only talked about inside HIV circles. The general public know nothing about it. Like many other things, if someone is not directly affected by some thing, they take no interest. I would be happy with it if they put the same amount of effort into advertising U=U as they put into the doom and gloom warnings of the 1980's.

At its current level of awareness, it is a waste of time.

[leatherman]

The general public know nothing about it. Like many other things, if someone is not directly affected by some thing, they take no interest. I would be happy with it if they put the same amount of effort into advertising U=U as they put into the doom and gloom warnings of the 1980's.

At its current level of awareness, it is a waste of time.

^ totally this!

[TabooPrincess]

I would say it’s not even properly known in hiv circles to be honest (UK)
I had a situation recently and asked my clinic for advice and was told it was ‘minimal risk’ rather than ‘no risk’. This from the supposed experts.

[Séan_Dublin]

Hi Jim,

You're based in Ireland right? I'm sure you've been exposed to (excuse the pun) the big U=U campaign that's been running over the past while by certain public figure types (I don't know how else to describe them lol) within the gay community. My experience that if you follow that cohort on social media the U=U message and promotion is continuous which I think is amazing but I feel it probably only reaches the urban gay community in places like Dublin. I could be wrong though, especially with the younger gay community. They seem so informed these days. More than I was anyway (I'm 38).

I had a good experience at the weekend chatting to a guy on Grindr. He used the word clean in his message to me and I explained the problems with that word especially with people living with HIV and then he asked did I know my status. I said I did (it was the first time I declared it on an app since my diagnosis over a year ago). I said I was undetectable etc. He said that was cool and he knew about that because of the U=U message that he was seeing everywhere and because of a certain podcast. My sense is that the word might reach smaller communities quicker than larger communities. I was actually shaking telling him but felt great after. I can obviously only speak from a local experience (Ireland) and it might be different in other countries.

[Jim Allen]

Hi Jim,

You're based in Ireland right? I'm sure you've been exposed to (excuse the pun) the big U=U campaign that's been running over the past while by certain public figure types (I don't know how else to describe them lol) within the gay community. My experience that if you follow that cohort on social media the U=U message and promotion is continuous which I think is amazing but I feel it probably only reaches the urban gay community in places like Dublin. I could be wrong though, especially with the younger gay community. They seem so informed these days. More than I was anyway (I'm 38).

I had a good experience at the weekend chatting to a guy on Grindr. He used the word clean in his message to me and I explained the problems with that word especially with people living with HIV and then he asked did I know my status. I said I did (it was the first time I declared it on an app since my diagnosis over a year ago). I said I was undetectable etc. He said that was cool and he knew about that because of the U=U message that he was seeing everywhere and because of a certain podcast. My sense is that the word might reach smaller communities quicker than larger communities. I was actually shaking telling him but felt great after. I can obviously only speak from a local experience (Ireland) and it might be different in other countries.

Hiya,

Yeah, I am in Ireland, and I've also seen the social media push and I'm glad to hear you had a good experience sharing your HIV status 

Fair comment and I suppose it's a matter of perspective, n the past, I could just explain TaSP & Swiss statements and it was fine.  Although I admit, I'm not dating or meeting people sexually and it could be that it's made some difference in that setting, maybe more awareness there?

U=U however, for me in Ireland has just led to people asking about my viral load when sharing teacups or other no HIV risk situations regardless of my viral load including a few medical professionals, so seems they are hearing the message but the ignorant will remain ignorant.