Scottish man age 25 dying from AIDS-related illness

[Jim Allen]

Tragic to read this, glad the story was shared to highlight the issue of late testing. It is sad to say that it's not a unique situation. Far better availability, preferably free of charge and more routine HIV/STI screenings are certainly needed.

Full story: https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/fife/1076252/kirkcaldy-man-25-with-aids-fights-for-life-having-not-known-for-years-that-he-had-hiv/

In Short:

Ross Scott of Kirkcaldy, who is just 25, is being treated in a hospice for AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) having not known for years he had been infected with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus).

Nathan Sparling, chief executive of HIV Scotland, said Ross’s case was “quite unique” because most people with HIV manage to live long-term with the disease thanks to drugs which prevent the virus from replicating in the body.

However, he said without prompt diagnosis, treatment did not always work.

[Marcanthony]

This is so sad to read. Really struck a cord with me, as this could have happened to me. I was late, very late with PCP etc.
Just sheer luck for me that a doctor suggested a hiv test and was treated quickly. I’d been sick for years before and like this guy, fobbed off constantly with different illness.

[Jim Allen]

Update:

Ross Scott has passed away - RIP.

https://www.attitude.co.uk/article/a-25-year-old-man-has-died-of-an-aids-related-illness-after-a-late-hiv-diagnosis/22642/

[nethan1621]

This is sad to hear . I dont know why its happening kind of unfortunate things. Specially living in a better country,  better care and access, with family support, its a such unfortunate not to diagnose at early stage.RIP , he is not in pain anymore.

[Jim Allen]

People don't test regularly and there is a lack of access to services.

[Loa111]

Very sad to hear & shocking he died. I see he was DX'ed in 20017 & died in 2020, that's 3 years...
I am wondering was he an unlucky one who did not respond to treatment out of thousands of advanced DX people who do respond?

Makes me feel very lucky & fortunate when I was DX'ed with a very advanced case that treatment worked for me & I fully recovered. I could have been like this poor guy!

I incorrectly thought in this modern age that everyone would respond to treatment if DX'ed late.

[leatherman]

I incorrectly thought in this modern age that everyone would respond to treatment if DX'ed late.

none of these articles mentioned if this man had gone onto ARVs or not.

while ARVs can often produce the Lazarus effect (I was one of those people - twice!), many times though an extremely late diagnosis just doesn't leave enough time for someone to recover. My 2nd late partner was hospitalized in mar 08 after a flu in Feb that he "just couldn't shake". He was dead by May 1. He had already been so ill (although asymptomatic until that flu) with HIV and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that there wasn't enough time for the ARVs to give him a chance.

but my partner is not the only one. This article from 2018 discusses the nearly 7000 people a year who still die of AIDS in America    https://www.poz.com/article/truth-about-the-7000

[Jim Allen]

Yeah.

Sadly I was notified last Thursday of another young person who passed away. I had been chatting with their partner for a while and offering support. Well, emotional support, someone to talk to.

Diagnosed late, so AIDS, multiple opportunistic infections and simply too much damage had been done or not enough time to recover. 

This article from 2018 discusses the nearly 7000 people a year who still die of AIDS in America

Yup and looking at 2018 for EU we also had too many people diagnosed late (53%), so an increased risk of ill health, death and onward HIV transmission. Underreporting of deaths remains an issue in the EU but there were at least 822 reported. https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/HIV-annual-surveillance-report-2019.pdf