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An AIDS-free world is not just a dream. Thanks to ongoing research, this can become a reality. Science is advancing – arming us with knowledge and remedies to achieve the vision to prevent HIV infections, enable people who are HIV-positive to live HIV-well, and prevent Aids-related illness and deaths!  Here are 10 factors that can determine whether or not we achieve the vision to eliminate AIDS by 2030.

1. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), is the daily use of anti-HIV medication by HIV-negative people to prevent HIV-infection. Recent studies show that it’s efficient if taken as prescribed. It works best when combined with other preventative behaviours, like condom use, or universal precautions in the event of an accident (e.g. avoiding contact with bodily fluids by wearing protective equipment like gloves, mouth pieces, or eye shields). PrEP does not prevent STIs or pregnancy.

• When you start the treatment, it can take about 7 days to start working.
• The medication must be prescribed and managed by a doctor.
• You must not share this medication with others – people respond differently to the treatment and the strict supply to patients can run out.
• It is not effective, in fact it can be harmful, when you stop and start without medical advice.

PrEP is for people who are at high risk of HIV-infection (e.g. healthcare workers, caregivers, sex workers, family planning when one partner is HIV-positive, a person is stuck in an abusive relationship or exposed to risk in a community where rape and assault is [sadly] commonplace, or intravenous drug users).

HIV is one factor in the mix of complex issues that can be present in all of these scenarios. If you are considering if you are a candidate for PrEP, you would do well to seek counselling to address the issues that place you at risk of HIV-infection and help you deal with anxiety, occupational risk, substance abuse, or relationship issues. You should also consult a medical practitioner to help you to make an informed decision.

Note: The female condom is a basic ‘PrEP’ solution – it can be inserted several hours before a possible sexual encounter – e.g. if a person feels that they may be exposed to the risk of unprotected sex or rape. Find out how to use a female condom correctly.

2. Repeated exposures increase the risk

Scientists have proved that risk accumulates as the number of exposures increases. This means that for a low-risk activity, the risk of infection can increase the more often it happens.

3. Not every HIV exposure leads to an infection

Although the most effective way to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV is to avoid exposure to fluids that contain the virus, in reality not all exposures result in infection. After an exposure, HIV still needs to complete a difficult journey before it can spread throughout the body, and you can interrupt it by using PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) within 72-hours of exposure.

4. Rectal fluid can transmit HIV

In the past, it was thought that the risk of infection was due to HIV being transmitted from blood in the rectum to the penis. However, scientists now know that HIV can also be present in rectal fluid and sometimes at levels higher than those found in blood.

5. Correct condom use

Condoms are an effective strategy for HIV prevention, but they’re only effective when used consistently and correctly. Research reveals that the incorrect use of condoms is surprisingly common, with problems including breakage, slippage, leakage, and delayed application. Preparation and practice is key to being able to use female and male condoms, with ease.

6. Life expectancy

If a young person living with HIV is diagnosed early and receives continual treatment, he or she can now expect to live to his or her early 70s. A recent study found that overall the life expectancy for HIV-positive people has increased over the past decade and is approaching the life expectancy of HIV-negative people in similar circumstances.

7. 7. Know your HIV-status

Early detection is vital. You need to know your HIV status at least annually or if you have been exposed to risk of transmission. Undetected HIV-infection can do damage to your immune system and organs, without you being aware of it, and many people only learn their status when they present with illness and their body is already compromised.

HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) is the only way to know your HIV status for certain.

Free HCT is readily available:

• Through One Sun Wellness: All employees can participate when LifeAssist visits the workplace at least once a year.
• Through your healthcare funder: Members and dependents have access to preferred providers that are appointed by the healthcare fund.
• At state healthcare facilities

You can also get tested at a pathology laboratory or a medical practice but usually at a fee.

8. HIV can be detected within weeks

• A variety of ELISA/EIA tests are available, usually involving a blood sample drawn from a vein. The sample is sent to a laboratory for analysis, and results are available within one or two weeks.
• Rapid testing relies on antibody tests using rapid assays with fluid from oral swabs or finger prick blood samples. Finger-prick tests can give you a result within about 15 minutes. The oral test involves swabbing your upper and lower gums and results are available within 20-40 minutes. However, you might be in a window period (which can be up to 3 months) and the antibodies might not be detectable at that moment in time.
• The new “fourth generation” test detects the HIV-1 p-24 antigen, which shows up in the body sooner than other antibodies. This is considered the most reliable as it can detect an infection within about three weeks after exposure to the virus.

9. Undetectable viral load can be an effective HIV prevention strategy

Antiretroviral medication (ARVs) reduces the amount of virus in an HIV-positive person’s blood. The goal is to reduce your “viral load (VL)” to a level so low it’s considered “undetectable.” An undetectable VL can significantly reduce the transmission of HIV – it does not mean you are cured of HIV or Aids as the VL test only measures the amount of HIV in your blood, HIV may still be found in your semen or vaginal fluids, albeit to a lesser extent.

10.HIV Disease Management

This is the key to living HIV Well and increasing life-expectancy. Your immune system and the virus is highly sensitive to lifestyle, stressors, state of health, mental wellbeing, and life stages. You need to regularly monitor how the virus is responding.

If you are HIV-positive, you will benefit from the comprehensive benefits of counselling support, laboratory testing, and treatment (including ARVs or other medication or supplements that may be indicated from time-to-time).

HIV Disease Management is offered through all the company-nominated healthcare plans.

Kaelo MyHealth:   LifeSense Disease Management

Call: 0860 506 080 | Email: enquiry@lifesense.co.za

Discovery Health HIV Care Programme:

Call 0860 99 88 77 |  email HIV_Diseasemanagement@discovery.co.za

Umvuso:   HIV Disease Management

Call: 0861 083 084 |  email chronic@rxhealth.co.za

24/7 Support:

Reach out to LifeAssist for free counselling and advice on anything concerning HIV or Aids.

You and other members of your household can talk to a counsellor or health coach, any time day or night. Privacy and confidentiality is assured.

Call 0860 11 322 | email help@lifeassist.co.za

More information can be found on the One Sun Wellness website at https://yourlifeassist.co.za/sunint/hivaids-centre

Sources

MyPrEP.co.za | PrEP is a new, safe, HIV prevention method

www.catie.ca
www.hivplusmag.com
www.poz.com