The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching and severe effects on individuals, societies, and communities all over the world. Persons with chronic diseases are more prone to be affected by this virus. Social distancing has impacted not only the economy but also the mental health of many, especially the marginalised communities.

COVID-19 has impacted the HIV community in ways more unique and grave than others, leading to a disbalance in research and treatment of HIV. There already exist high rates of mental health issues in the HIV community, and so isolation has greater mental impacts on them, leading to depression, vulnerability, and anxiety. Thus COVID-19 has had disproportionate effects on the HIV community. In this article, we will understand how the onset of COVID-19 has affected the HIV community to help them overcome it. If you are a person with HIV, we are here to help you undergo an HIV test in Delhi and further treatment.

COVID-19 has both short-term and long-term effects on HIV treatment

Short-term and Long-term Impacts of COVID-19 on HIV treatment

Across India, HIV test in Delhi and other cities have gone down on the list. For them, it is more difficult to adjust to the new normals or COVID-19 pandemic in biological, social, and physiological terms. Therefore, healthcare workers need to understand both the short-term and long-term effects of Coronavirus on the PWH community.

Biological Impact

PWH, with insufficient treatment, are prone to the complications of COVID-19 besides the complications of HIV. They need to be under regular treatment by doctors, but due to quarantining orders, many doctors’ appointments and HIV test in Delhi and other major cities of India have been halted. Also, telehealth services are limited and cannot reach everybody. They are more likely to contract infections like pneumonia, tuberculosis, etc. than others.

Healthcare systems in many countries are taxed, which leads to overcrowding for COVID-19 treatment, and these side infections get ignored. Due to these imbalances in healthcare, sensitive PWH patients do not get proper care and are at more risk of contracting COVID.

Physiological Impact

The stress response due to the sudden COVID outbreak among people with HIV and other chronic conditions is more. It originates from increased chances of contracting COVID by them due to a compromised immune system. This has led to maladaptive coping techniques like alcohol consumption. Alcohol weakens the immune system further and reduces the person’s ability to fight HIV and COVID-19. It also increases the viral load, which can get transmitted sexually to another person.

Alcohol consumption and stress also lead to depression, and PWH is found to be two to four times more prone to depression and anxiety. Self-isolation may cater to loneliness. HIV is more prevalent among poverty-stricken communities, and thus they might not have enough resources to cope with loneliness and depression. Common outcomes of this among PWH are lack of interest in treatments, untimely or non-intake of medicines, low self-worth, suicidal thoughts, etc. It is expected that there will be a rise in demand for mental health treatments, apart from opportunities for HIV test in Delhi and other places by the PWH community in the coming years.

Social Impact

Social distancing has been introduced in almost all countries to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. However, this affects people both socially and emotionally, especially newly diagnosed PWH, who do not have proper knowledge of how HIV is transmitted. Being a part of marginalised communities, PWH has experienced a derated social presence. They may have poorer access to medical drugs usually available in stores, medical services due to lesser transportation, unemployment, suffering separation from family members due to the closing of borders, and so on. Public awareness and political response to COVID-19 in India have been significant but less has been spoken about its impacts on HIV treatment and HIV test in Delhi and other parts of the country.

Impact on Research

We already read that due to COVID-19, HIV treatment has faced curbs, proof of which are decline in HIV test in Delhi and other cities across India. After the COVID outbreak, the research focus shifted from other diseases to COVID-19 with immediate effect to find a treatment for the virus. All other research has seen a significant decline, and funding has also been mainly directed to the research on COVID-19 treatment. The various aspects of HIV research have also suffered restrictions. These aspects are Biomedical Research, Psychological HIV Research, and Social Factors of HIV Research.

Although COVID-19 has impacted HIV treatment and prevention crucially, scientists, doctors, and other healthcare workers are in a better position to improve the conditions of PWH with care. Across India, HIV treatment has suffered due to the COVID outbreak-like a reduction in HIV test in Delhi and other cities, research, treatment, and care. If politicians and healthcare workers step up to the cause, we may create a better world for people with HIV.