HIV storyline in UK TV soap Hollyoaks changing perceptions In UK TV soap Hollyoaks the character Ste has been be diagnosed with HIV in a sexual health storyline. This is first time a British soap has featured a gay character living with HIV. Following a night of unprotected sex with a stranger, Ste has tested positive for the virus. The long-running storyline will follow him as he manages the condition and will show the effect it has on his marriage, children and his physical and psychological well-being. David Rowlands highlights reaction to Ste’s situation based on his monthly online poll and points out the realities beyond the headlines. ‘The HIV storyline is being handled very well with sensitivity #Hollyoaks’
Our January poll showed that 96 per cent of respondents thought this storyline would break down stigma and engage young gay men to get tested for HIV. Matthew Hodson from GMFA, the UK’s leading charity dedicated to gay men’s health, said, “What’s great about the Hollyoaks storyline is that it’s helping to generate discussion about HIV and sexual risk, particularly among younger people.” Research with focus groups in London showed that: “younger gay men thought that HIV was unlikely to affect them personally, so this storyline may help many people to see that HIV remains a pressing concern,” added Hodson. “Although Eastenders and Emmerdale have had HIV+ characters before, Ste is the first gay character in a soap to be living with HIV. Gay men are still the group most likely to acquire HIV within the UK, so it’s refreshing to see this reflected on a soap opera. I hope that by showing a wellliked character come to terms with his HIV diagnosis, Hollyoaks will be able to counter some of the myths and misrepresentations of HIV that contribute to stigma.”
‘Great showing how quick and easy an HIV test is #Hollyoaks’
When a rapid HIV test is performed, it can give a result within five minutes. It uses a ‘finger prick’ sample of blood. The test checks for the immune system’s reaction to HIV only (antibody). It will detect most infections within six weeks of exposure to HIV. Like all tests it can rarely give a ‘false reactive’ result. This happens about seven times in every 1,000 tests. Public Health England has the UK’s leading experts in the performance of HIV tests. They advise that there is no test available guaranteed to pick up 100 per cent of HIV infections before three months. If you want to exclude HIV infection, they advise you to test now and retest three months after any recent exposure.
‘So glad #Hollyoaks hits these hard storylines for younger people - HIV is something that needs a greater understanding! Well done’ Hollyoaks is in a unique position to be able to talk directly to millions of young viewers and if the safe-sex message is not coming through education, it is possible to
David Rowlands
promote key messages both on screen and through media platforms.
‘#Hollyoaks is sending such an important message, not just for young gay men but for anyone who may not have an up-todate understanding of HIV’ More men become infected and test positive between the ages of 25 and 29