MACON, Ga. — As people recognize World AIDS Day on Dec.1, attention turns to the strides made in HIV prevention, including the groundbreaking role of the PrEP pill.
Approved by the FDA 12 years ago, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has significantly reduced the risk of HIV transmission and saved countless lives.
Yet, misconceptions about both the medication and the virus persist.
Advocates like Demarcus Beckham work tirelessly to bridge the knowledge gap and combat stigma.
Beckham is an HIV/AIDS and sexual health activist working with the Reach to Impact Group Inc. in Macon.
Before PrEP, accessible preventive measures for HIV were scarce, making it challenging for people to protect themselves.
"It’s no longer a death sentence," Beckham shared, emphasizing how people living with HIV today can lead full and healthy lives with proper care and treatment. "People are living full and healthy lives with this virus going on."
He believes the time has come to eliminate stigma surrounding the virus, urging individuals to prioritize sexual health and routine testing.
"I think there's an assumption that people who are on it, they're promiscuous, they're out here with multiple partners and what not," Beckham said. "No, it is a safety measure just like any other. It's like taking up birth control. It is honing in on your health-- your sexual health."
Three years ago, Beckham faced a health crisis.
"I'm a relatively healthy person, and I just was not feeling good," he explained.
Despite consulting multiple doctors, he struggled to find an answer to his problems.
"I was in, what I believed at the time to be, a monogamous relationship," Beckham said. "
A month after his last test was taken, Beckham said he got a call from his doctor with life-changing news verifying he had the HIV virus.
Though the diagnosis was daunting, Beckham’s prior work as a sexual health advocate equipped him to navigate the next steps. "It was the scariest call, obviously," he recalls, "but I knew what to do because I had helped others walk through the same steps."
Beckham stressed the importance of proactive health care: informing partners, consulting medical professionals, and starting prescribed treatments immediately can make all the difference.
PrEP is a once-daily pill that dramatically reduces the risk of HIV transmission when taken consistently.
There's also Biktarvy, which is also once-a-day prescription medicine for people who live with HIV; Beckham explained it suppresses the virus and prevents it from spreading.
"With PrEP, many people can live with the virus in their system without it being active. It’s even possible to have unprotected sex with a partner without fear of transmission," Beckham explained.
For those who may have been recently exposed to the virus, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) provides another option, offering effective treatment within 72 hours of exposure.
Beckham said every county in the Peach State has a PrEP clinic, with HIV and sexual health panels.
"For some people, it's gonna take them asking for it, because some health care providers will not ask those questions," Beckham explained.
Beckham emphasized the need for open, "brave conversations" with healthcare providers about your sexual health and history.
"I think it's important that doctors also practice inclusive and comprehensive questioning when they talk to their patients in helping them understand their histories," Beckham said. "Not everybody is open to explaining their sexual preferences or orientations."
Yesterday's barriers, Beckham explained, were about accessiblity; today's are about affordability.
"It can cost about $2,000 for a person to pay out of pocket for their medications, and on top of that, they have to still visit their doctor twice a year for their checkups," he elaborated.
Resources like the Macon-Bibb Department of Health collaborates with Beckham's nonprofit organization to ensure people receive care within 24 hours of an HIV diagnosis.
He elaborated public health departments can help with the cost of the medications, but the doctor visits are still the patient's responsibility to cover.
Decades ago, receiving test results and starting treatment could take weeks—a stark contrast to today’s swift and accessible options.
To find testing locations and order a self-test, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website here.