When Kyle Dallape (27) from California in the USA began to feel a sore throat, he went to the doctor.
It went as expected: The 27-year-old, who uses the pronouns he and hen, was diagnosed with a simple streptococcal infection. It writes the news agency Jam Press.
But despite treatment, Kyle did not get better in the throat.
– My worst fear
The symptoms should have worsened. He lost almost 14 kilos and was affected by both mouth fungus and swollen lymph nodes, he says.
At the same time, the streptococcal infection returned – twice.
Now Kyle began to realize that something was wrong.
Only a few weeks earlier, he had been tested for HIV, and the results had been negative. He never saw the connection.
Formerly «Mr. Universe »fights for life
However, after conducting several tests, Kyle was diagnosed with the HIV virus in June 2018. He was devastated by the message.
“My worst fear had come true,” he told Jam Press.
– Not over
Both family and friends, as well as Kyle’s current fiancé, convinced the 27-year-old to start treatment.
– This is how I realized that my life was not over, he says.
NOT OVER: Kyle Dallape was diagnosed with the HIV virus. But with the help of friends and family, he realized that life was not over yet. Photo: Jam Press / @ saintkyle13
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Just a month after the diagnosis, Kyle was put on a medicine called Biktarvy. By taking one tablet daily, he treats the HIV infection, he says.
– By November, the virus level in my body was so low that it was not possible to measure. Ever since then, the number of T cells has only increased and increased, while the amount of virus is so low that it can not be measured.
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T cells are a type of white blood cell that belong to the lymphocytes. The T cells are responsible for the immunity that is mediated by the cells of the immune system, according to Large medical encyclopedia.
– Test yourself regularly!
Kyle wants to break down prejudices and spread knowledge about HIV. That is why he has shared his story at TikTok.
In one of the cliffs he recreates the situation where he was diagnosed with a streptococcal infection and was prescribed antibiotics.
The video has been viewed over one million times and has more than 163,000 likes.
Here he explains that he lost almost 14 kilos and could barely walk, before he had to take several tests to find out what was wrong with him.
– Test yourself regularly, and ask your partners what kind of HIV status they have. Knowledge is power, Kyle writes in the TokTok post.
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– No longer a death sentence
People at high risk for HIV infection may be offered so-called pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
In Norway, this mainly applies to men and trans men who have sex with men (MSM), according to Oslo University Hospital.
KYLE DALLAPE: The 27-year-old identifies as him or her, and now lives with an HIV diagnosis. Photo: Jam Press / @ saintkyle13
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PrEP is an HIV prevention treatment that protects very well against HIV if taken correctly, but does not provide 100 percent good protection.
Kyle hopes his story can help change perceptions of HIV:
– HIV is no longer what it used to be, as modern medicine has come so far. But society has a long way to go, he says.
– Let our son live on
– By giving this a face, I hope I can show how manageable the disease can be. And that those who are positive can live long and healthy lives with treatment. It’s time to remove the stigma.
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