This archive report was first published on 12 May 2020.
Published on May 12, 2020, health experts warn that the measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus may unintentionally undermine efforts to contain another potentially deadly disease: HIV.
At the start of April, an online survey of around 1,000 men who have sex with men found that half of them reported a drop in the number of sexual partners and reduced use of hook-up apps, which should theoretically reduce transmission.
However, a quarter of the men said they had experienced problems getting tested for sexually transmitted diseases, as thousands of centers that used to provide them have closed down.
"It's very likely that people's risk behaviours will resume before they will have full access to prevention services," said Travis Sanchez, an epidemiologist at Emory University.
"And I think that combination could lead to increases in HIV transmission."
Experts and healthcare professionals fear a step backward, a year after the United States announced the goal of cutting the number of new infections by 75 percent by the year 2025.
"All those folks are going without testing," said nurse practitioner Amanda Cary, who now only sees symptomatic patients by appointment.
"I do think there's going to be a rise in STIs," she said.
While the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) expects a drop in the number of STIs being diagnosed in the short term, it warns that the decrease in the availability of testing and limited access to treatment and prevention services may result in more infections and poor health outcomes in the long run.
Doctor Matthew Spinelli worries about the homeless and those who lack the connectivity to take part in televisits, which have replaced in-person visits to health centers.
"People are just scared of a hospital right now, so I'm pretty worried," he said.
He fears that some people living with HIV may not be taking their daily medication, which could allow their viral load to shoot up and make them contagious again.
"I'm worried that their mental health or substance use may be worsening in this environment and hence their pill taking adherence is worse," he said.
However, the pandemic may also bring about lasting, positive changes in prevention strategies, including the increased use of telemedicine, home HIV test kits, and needle exchange programs.
