Undead Virus: Is Eradication Possible?
Around 200,000 people live with HIV in France, but disturbingly, a significant number remain unaware of their status. This lack of awareness presents a major hurdle in the fight against the virus, according to Frankie Lamme, an activist with the AIDES association in Rouen.
As World AIDS Day approaches on December 1st, Lamme envisions a future free from the virus but emphasizes the critical need for widespread testing. “The problem is actually screening,” he asserts. “The biggest challenge is getting people tested to discover their HIV status because once you know your status, you can access treatment.”
He explains that today’s medical advancements allow people living with HIV to lead completely normal lives while effectively controlling the virus with treatment. This control safeguards others, making transmission impossible.
Achieving an “undetectable viral load,” a term Lamme uses, essentially means the virus is undetectable and therefore untransmittable.
“Is it possible to eradicate the virus globally by 2030?” Lamme is asked. He believes it’s achievable, but hinges on a crucial set of criteria established by the UN.
“Yes, if 95% of HIV-positive people knew their status, and among them, 95% had access to treatment, and among these 95% reached an undetectable viral load, we could achieve this objective in 2030,” he explains.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic hampered progress. “During the COVID period, unfortunately, people’s attention shifted, and we saw a drop in screening. This is the major issue,
at least in France, because we are excelling on the last two figures in this cascade, but there’s still much work to do in terms of screening.”
According to Santé Publique France, an estimated 25,000 individuals in the country are unaware of their HIV status. This raises the question:
Has HIV lost its fear factor?
Three years ago, when Lamme conducted a report in front of the Corneille high school in Rouen,
many students admitted to not using condoms during sex.
“In fact, it’s less scary,” Lamme acknowledges. “Today, someone living with HIV can have a completely normal life, so we can understand why it might seem less scary and why we don’t talk about it as much because
we live completely normally with HIV today.”
He emphasizes that condoms are just one tool in the arsenal against HIV. “There are also plenty of other ways to protect yourself today. We even have preventive treatment for the most exposed people.”
Lamme firmly believes that the key to ending the epidemic lies in robust screening.
“This undetectable viral load which makes it possible to no longer transmit the virus is really the best tool to put an end to the epidemic. So once again, it’s the screening that’s important,” he concludes.
A Turning Point in the Fight Against HIV
Lamme’s poignant message underscores a critical point in the fight against HIV. While significant progress has been made, complacency can be dangerous.
Increased awareness and screening are essential not only to protect those living with HIV but also to reach the UN’s ambitious eradication goal. Ultimately, education, testing, and treatment remain the cornerstones of a brighter, HIV-free future.
What are the primary challenges to achieving the “95-95-95” target outlined by the UN for HIV eradication?
## Undead Virus: Is Eradication Possible?
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today, we’re tackling a pressing global health issue on the eve of World AIDS Day: can we truly eradicate HIV? Joining us is Frankie Lamme, an HIV activist with the AIDES association in Rouen, France. Thank you for being here, Frankie.
**Frankie Lamme:** Thanks for having me.
**Host:** Frankie, you’ve been vocal about the need for increased testing for HIV. Why is this such a critical step in the fight against the virus?
**Frankie Lamme:** The biggest hurdle we face is simply getting people tested. Around 200,000 people live with HIV in France alone, and a staggering number remain unaware of their status. Unfortunately, you can’t access treatment if you don’t know you have the virus. The good news is that with today’s advancements, those diagnosed can live completely normal lives while effectively controlling the virus through treatment. This not only safeguards their health but also prevents transmission to others.
**Host:** So, achieving an “undetectable viral load” means the virus is essentially untransmittable?
**Frankie Lamme:** Exactly.
**Host:** Excitingly, the UN has set a target to eradicate HIV globally by 2030. Is this goal within reach, do you think?
**Frankie Lamme:** It’s ambitious, but achievable. The UN has outlined a key set of criteria: 95% of HIV-positive people need to know their status, 95% of those individuals need access to treatment, and 95% of those on treatment must achieve an undetectable viral load. If we can accomplish this trifecta, eradication by 2030 is definitely possible.
**Host:** What challenges are we facing in reaching these goals?
**Frankie Lamme:** The COVID-19 pandemic unfortunately set back progress considerably. Screenings and treatment access were disrupted, and many people were isolated, making it even harder to reach them.
**Host:** So, a renewed focus on testing and accessible treatment remains vital. Any final words for our listeners on World AIDS Day?
**Frankie Lamme:**
Get tested, know your status, and support those living with HIV! We’re closer than ever to a world free from AIDS, but we need everyone’s commitment to reach the finish line.
