Drag queen Barbie Breakout has been HIV-positive for eleven years and is open about it. What amazed us: The well-known drag queen only started treatment a few weeks ago. We called Barbie.
Barbie, what's life like with the pill?
No different than before. Every day at 1.30 pm, my smartphone rings and reminds me to take my medication.
You waited a long time before you opted for the Therapy have decided. Why?
My immune system reacted very robustly to HIV for more than ten years. I still had a good 450 helper cells per microlitre of blood at the last test before starting therapy [Editor's note: The normal range is often considered to be between about 500 and 1500 helper cells; until a few years ago, the recommendation was to start HIV therapy from 350 cells, but no later than 200 cells].
Most Today, HIV specialists recommend early treatmentto avoid serious consequences of the infection. Were you afraid of the medication?
Absolutely not. Most of my friends are positive and many take HIV tablets. The pills were never a drama for any of them. I just had the feeling that I could wait. My first specialist doctor neither urged me to start treatment nor advised me against it. The two other doctors I went to after moving house didn't see any urgent need for action either.
Why have you started now?
My lab results have slowly but steadily deteriorated. I've also been ill for the past few months. Never seriously ill, but rather annoyed by the frequent aches and pains. For example, my lymph nodes swelled up as they did at the very beginning of my infection. That's why I asked my doctor to prescribe me some medication. It was a very pragmatic, rational decision. I was never panicked at any point.
How did the conversation with your doctor go?
He showed me various options, each including the possible side effects. I ruled out medication that could make me depressed or disrupt my digestion. In the end, I ended up with a preparation that combines all the necessary active ingredients in a single pill.
You've already been to your first check-up. How was it?
First of all, I was looking forward to the blood test. And even more so about the result, because I'm already below the detection limit. I think that's great, of course. And everything else is fine too. The only side effect I have at the moment is diarrhoea. So anyone who sees me scurrying around in a panic over the next few weeks can assume that I'm looking for a loo. (laughs) But this side effect usually goes away as soon as the body has got used to the medication.
As a make-up artist, you are surrounded by people all day long. Does it stress you out when the alarm goes off at 1.30 pm?
The time is chosen so that I can take the pill during my lunch break. I do it discreetly, but I'm not going to hide. If a customer ever asks what I'm taking, they'll get an honest answer.
Will you change your sexual behaviour now that your viral load is below the detection limit? You won't be able to infect anyone else.
(laughs) Just because the viral load is now below the detection limit, I'm certainly not going to run straight to Berghain and lie down in the sling ...
