Focus - HIV/AIDS Archives - YourLifeAssist

Uniting for freedom from HIV stigma

As we mark World AIDS Day on the 1st of December, the challenge of HIV stigma persists.

The good news is that we can change that. We can create a world that’s all about compassion and understanding instead of judgment and prejudice.

Here’s how we can all pitch in to make a stigma-free society:

Knowledge is Power:
It all starts with knowing the facts. By learning and sharing accurate info about how HIV spreads, how to prevent it, and how it’s treated, we can clear up misunderstandings and replace them with the real deal.

Speak Up:
Let’s break down barriers and prejudices by supporting initiatives that help people living with HIV. When we do this, we send a strong message that says, “We’re all in this together.”

Watch Your Words:
Words are seriously powerful. If we talk about HIV as a health condition instead of making moral judgments, we can change how people see it. This means more acceptance and understanding.

Get the Community Involved:
Let’s talk with all sorts of people and hear what they have to say. We need to respect different views and let communities have a say in fighting stigma. When we do this, change comes from within, and it sticks around.

So, if we all work together to be more accepting and understanding, we can totally challenge the stigma around HIV. It’s a team effort, and it needs all of us to make it happen.

Every little thing you do counts. By standing together and replacing fear with knowledge, judgment with understanding, and stigma with support, we’re making the world a kinder place for everyone affected by HIV.

If you or someone you know is struggling with being HIV positive or supporting someone who is, reach out to LifeAssist. They’ve got the support you need to live well.

zara2023-12-01T06:15:47+00:00

World Aid’s Day: The Shocking Facts

Annual World Aid’s Day on 1 December is an opportunity to unite in the fight against HIV, show love and support for those living with the virus, and remember those who have died.

The shocking facts are that South Africa still has the highest global infection rates. Even more devastating is that young girls between 15 – 19 years old have the highest rate of infections!

Three in five new HIV infections are young girls. Last year more than 33 000 women contracted the HIV virus and if this situation continues, a huge percentage of our future mothers in South Africa will be HIV+ and potentially pass on the virus to newborn babies.

Relationships between HIV-infected older men and young women are driving the cycle of infections. Added to this are poverty, and high levels of gender-based violence. Many older men, called “sugar daddies” force themselves onto young girls promising them gifts, acceptance, and security.

Another factor is the sharp increase in rape and domestic violence fuelled by drug and alcohol abuse, particularly during lockdown. In addition, there is a stigma against getting tested for HIV and children under 12 requiring parental consent, which discourages them from getting tested.

What can you do?

Take the time to discuss HIV and sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) with your family, especially adolescents.
Teach your children the dangers of unprotected sex, and the value of abstinence,
Discuss the dangers of alcohol or drug abuse, which often leads to risky behaviours such as sharing needles for drugs or unprotected sex.
Encourage the correct use of condoms and single partner relationships.
Promote both partner testing of STIs and HIV before engaging in sexual relations.
If you suspect that your child has been abused, take them for a test. Although there is no cure, taking antiretroviral treatment can control the virus, meaning that people with HIV can live long and healthy lives.

If you or a family member is at risk and need support or guidance, phone a counsellor at LifeAssist. Your call will be treated with the utmost confidence.

zara2021-12-01T10:15:08+00:00

The importance of PEP following exposure

On 1 December every year, we celebrate World Aids Day. What better time to discuss HIV prevention! Did you know that post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) can prevent you from becoming infected with HIV after you have been exposed?

PEP is a medication that is taken soon after you have possibly been exposed to HIV to prevent HIV infection. It should only be used in emergency situations and can’t be used as a regular form of HIV prevention. You won’t be prescribed PEP if you are already HIV positive. You need to be HIV negative or unsure of your HIV status.

Possible exposures to HIV can take place in a number of different ways, such as:

Being sexually assaulted.
During sexual intercourse (for example, if the condom breaks).
Taking drugs and using dirty needles
Blood splashes for example when working with blood in laboratories or medical facilities.
Having an open wound and coming into direct contact with someone else’s blood.

PEP is most effective if you take it within 24 hours of the exposure but can be taken up to 72 hours after exposure. The sooner you take it the better – every hour counts!

PEP is taken for four weeks and ideally should be taken at the same time daily – it might not work if you miss doses. It is only available from a doctor, clinic, or hospital. If you think you have been exposed after hours, go to the emergency department at your nearest hospital, if there is one available and or seek medical assistance first thing the following morning. If you experience side effects like nausea, diarrhoea, or vomiting don’t just stop taking the medication! Speak to your healthcare provider who may prescribe medication to ease the symptoms. It is important to do HIV tests 3 and 6 months after the exposure to make sure that the treatment was successful.

In celebration of World Aids Day, this December, share your knowledge about PEP and HIV prevention with your friends and family – you never know whose life it could save!

zara2021-03-16T09:48:43+00:00

Living with HIV and TB in the COVID-19 Crisis

With the global reach of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is now more important than ever for those who are living with HIV or TB to adhere rigidly to their ART or TB treatment.

People who are most vulnerable to life-threatening complications are those who are immune-compromised. It is very important for people to know their HIV status and if they are at risk for active TB. Those who are on treatment for these conditions, would have an advantage over those who simply don’t know, or neglect taking their treatment.

We don’t want to add to the load in the healthcare system, but if you are going for a flu vaccination, ask if you can be screened for HIV (antibodies) and TB (symptoms).

Here is a story which explains why.

Imagine that, for a long time, you have been fighting a deadly duel with an opponent called Higgins. You are quite evenly matched. Initially, Higgins attacked strongly, but you quickly found ways to counter his attacks and suppress him. But he hid so that you could not finish him off completely and he continued to niggle and attack you. You are now exhausted and it has become increasingly difficult to suppress the relentless attacks by Higgins.

Suddenly an energetic, fresh opponent joins Higgins in attacking you. An opponent with different weapons and tactics that you know nothing about.

What chance do you have against both of them?

The new opponent is COVID-19. Higgins is HIV, and this is the situation you could face if you are living with HIV (or TB) and you are not getting effective treatment.

However, if you are taking ARVs as prescribed and they are working, this is like having a tough co-fighter with you, who wrestles Higgins to the ground and sits on him so he cannot move. HIV is suppressed to undetectable levels, freeing your body’s immune system to rebuild the strength it needs to fend off an attack by the coronavirus and other infections.

So, make certain that you have, and take, the ARVs / TB-treatment medicine you need throughout this COVID-19 crisis. This discipline will give you a better chance of surviving coronavirus infection.

If you are HIV positive, enrol on an HIV Disease Management programme through your medical scheme provider.

Contact LifeAssist for health coaching and advice.

Source: Inspire Wellness: Bridges of Hope Training: 15 April 2020

zara2021-04-01T06:24:20+00:00

Preventing HIV after Exposure

If you are exposed to someone else’s bodily fluid, in incidents such as a road accident, physical or sexual assault, needle-prick injury or exposure to blood, it’s important to take action to protect yourself from a status change! With the right treatment, you can prevent becoming HIV-positive (if you are HIV-negative) or getting a super-infection (if you are already HIV-positive).

Prevention with the right treatment is possible after exposure, but time is of the essence!

PEP Medication: 10 Fast Facts

Post-exposure prophylaxis, or PEP, is the process of taking antiretroviral medication after potential exposure to HIV, to help prevent infection (or status change). Here are some fast facts on PEP treatment:

PEP should be used only in the case of an emergency.
PEP must be started within 72-hours after possible exposure to HIV.
Research has shown that PEP may not be effective in preventing infection if it is started later than 72-hours after exposure.
The sooner you start PEP treatment, the better. Every hour counts.
If you are prescribed PEP, you will need to take the medication once or twice daily for 28-days.
PEP is safe, but the medication may cause side effects such as nausea in some people.
PEP is highly effective in preventing HIV infection when administered correctly, but it’s important to remember it may not be 100% effective.
It is important to get tested for HIV after PEP treatment.
Testing 4-weeks after PEP will detect 95% of infections.
Testing 3-months after PEP will detect 99.99% of infections. This testing is considered confirmation that you are HIV-negative.

If you think you may have accidentally been exposed to HIV; visit your healthcare provider, emergency room doctor or contact your 24/7 EWP dedicated number, as soon as possible, for the advice and support you need to start post-exposure treatment.

Sources:

PEP. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/pep.html

PEP Q&A. Retrieved from: http://i-base.info/qa/5255

zara2021-03-24T14:08:43+00:00

HIV Focus – Why Does HIV Communication Still Matter?

The way we talk about HIV has a significant impact on how it is perceived, and how those living with HIV are treated by society. While understanding and communication around HIV have grown and improved in recent years, there are still many misconceptions about the illness, and it’s important to use HIV communication and education tools to help separate the myths from the facts.

The Importance of World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day has taken place on 1 December every year since 1988, so it’s easy to assume that by now people have “heard it all” and know everything there is to know about HIV/AIDS. However, there is still a lot of work to be done in combating the spread of the virus, and the stigma around it.

There are an estimated 36.7-million people around the world living with HIV. Since the virus was identified in 1984, more than 35-million people have died of HIV/AIDS-related illnesses, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in the history of the world!

World AIDS Day is important because it reminds the public and the government that HIV has not gone away. There is still a need to improve awareness and education around the virus, and raise funds for the medical treatment of HIV/AIDS.

The stigma around HIV/AIDS still remains, and to change this we need awareness and action. This means knowing your status, sharing knowledge, and speaking out against discrimination. HIV is a chronic illness and should be spoken about accordingly.

It’s also important to increase awareness about the effectiveness of antiretroviral (ARV) treatment. ARVs are remarkable, and can help many HIV-positive people to live healthy lives.

How to Get Involved in World AIDS Day

Buy and wear an official red ribbon to show your support and solidarity.
Get tested and know your status. Encourage your partner and friends to do the same.
Donate to a charity working with those affected by HIV/AIDS.
Hand out World AIDS Day informational materials and red ribbons at your workplace or in your community.
Encourage others to educate themselves and donate to HIV/AIDS-related charities.

HIV communication matters because it plays a role in reducing the stigma around the virus, and combating unfair discrimination against HIV-positive people. By dismantling myths and spreading correct information, we can help those affected to live happier and healthier lives.

If you have any questions about HIV/AIDS, you can contact our Employee Wellness helpline for more information.

DOWNLOAD THE WORLD AIDS DAY POSTER HERE >

Sources:

World AIDS Day. Retrieved from: https://www.worldaidsday.org/about/

zara2021-04-07T07:56:24+00:00

Caring Families

December is HIV Awareness Month! Make a point of knowing your status, for your own safety as well as that of your loved ones. Get tested for HIV and, if you are HIV-positive, start treatment and live well!

Early detection = Early treatment
Early treatment = Virus suppression
Virus suppression = Undetectable viral load
Undetectable = Lower transmission risk
Lower risk = Living HIV-well!

zara2021-04-14T08:28:31+00:00

Focus on World AIDS Day 2018

World AIDS Day takes place on Saturday December 1^st, and gives us an opportunity to raise awareness around the fight against HIV. It’s also a chance to show support for those who are living with HIV, and to commemorate all those who have lost their lives to AIDS-related illness.

First established in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day, and continues to be held on December 1^st every year. The 2018 #ROCKTHERIBBON campaign aims to encourage support for people affected by HIV, and to stamp out discrimination against HIV-positive people.

The Battle against Discrimination

HIV-positive people still face a lot of unfair stigma and discrimination at work, in their communities, and even in their own families. This discrimination can have a devastating effect, isolating the people affected and discouraging them from seeking care and support.

By getting involved and helping to spread awareness this World AIDS Day, you can help to dismantle the unnecessary stigma around HIV and AIDS.

How to Commemorate World AIDS Day

Here are a few ways to show your solidarity with those affected by HIV and AIDS:

Purchase and wear your red ribbon.
Visit the official World AIDS Day website and download promotional material, such as flyers and posters, to make available in your workplace and community.
Set an example to your loved ones by getting tested and knowing your status.
Attend a fundraising event in your area – you can find a list of local concerts, sports events or religious events online.
You can also organise and host a fundraising event or awareness-raising talk in your community or workplace.

World AIDS Day only comes once a year, but it’s important to help in the fight against AIDS all year round. Think about getting involved as a volunteer or activist, so you can help to champion the rights of those affected by HIV and AIDS.

Sources

About World AIDS Day. Retrieved from: http://www.worldaidsday.org/about/

World AIDS Day – South African Government. Retrieved from: https://www.gov.za/world-aids-day-1

zara2021-04-08T15:18:50+00:00

Consumer tip

Live HIV-well by taking your medication daily, going for the recommended vaccinations, keeping appointments with your health care provider(s), being active, eating healthy, limiting alcohol, cutting out the use of drugs and smoking, and always condomise.

zara2021-04-13T08:52:51+00:00

Tuberculosis (TB) FAQs

These are the most frequently asked questions about tuberculosis.

Question: What is tuberculosis?

Answer: Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic infectious disease that affects the lungs but may attack other parts of the body. According to the World Health Organisation, tuberculosis is curable – yet it kills 5000 people every day. Two billion people (one third of the world’s population) are infected with TB bacilli (the microbes that cause tuberculosis) and one in ten people infected will become sick with active tuberculosis.

Question: What causes tuberculosis?

Answer: Tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a bacterium first isolated in 1882 by Robert Koch, a German physician who received the Nobel Prize for this discovery.

Question: How is tuberculosis transmitted?

Answer: Infection mostly happens when you inhale minute particles of infected sputum deposited in the air by the coughing, shouting, spitting or sneezing of a person who has a tuberculosis lung infection. An infected person may carry the bacteria for years without showing any symptoms or spreading it to others but when his or her immune system weakens, TB infection develops into an active disease. If not treated each person with active TB can infect about 10 to 15 people per year.

Question: What is Mycobacterium bovis?

Answer: A related bacterium, called Mycobacterium bovis, causes a form of atypical tuberculosis that is transmitted by drinking unpasteurised milk that has this bacterium.

Question: What are the symptoms of tuberculosis?

Answer: Symptoms depend on where in the body the TB bacteria are multiplying but usually they affect the lungs. Symptoms that are lung related include a bad cough that lasts longer than two weeks, chest pain and coughing up blood or sputum (phlegm from deep inside the lungs). Other symptoms are tiredness, weakness, weight loss, chills, night sweats and fever.

Question: How is tuberculosis tested?

Answer: A skin test is used to diagnose tuberculosis infection and tuberculosis disease is diagnosed using a chest x-ray or a test of a sputum sample.

Question: What is the relation between tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS?

Answer: TB is a major cause of death in people living with HIV due to their weakened immune system. HIV/Aids, TB and malaria kill between 5 to 6 million people per year with nearly two million deaths caused by tuberculosis.

Question: Is tuberculosis more prevalent in some areas?

Answer: Poverty is a major influence on the statistics related to tuberculosis and virtually all TB deaths occur in the developing world, affecting mostly young adults in their most productive years. The highest rates per capita are in Africa (about 29%) and half of all new cases are in six Asian countries, namely Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan and the Philippines.

Question: Is tuberculosis curable?

Answer: Tuberculosis can be cured with rigorous unbroken treatment that lasts for six months. Failure to complete the treatment regimen can result in the emergence of drug-resistant strains of TB, a very serious complication. Inactive tuberculosis are treated with an antibiotic to prevent the TB infection from becoming active; active TB is treated with INH in combination with one or more drugs.

Question: What is the future outlook for tuberculosis?

Answer: The probability of eliminating TB by effective treatment, vaccinations and public-health measures was high by the year 2000. The emergence of HIV changed the situation drastically and a tremendous increase in the frequency of TB occurred in the 1980s and throughout the 1990s. The epidemic of TB and HIV has been a deadly combination, especially on the African continent and, despite effective treatment availability, the distribution of medicine to developing countries remain problematic.

Sources
http://www.dhpe.org
http://www.medicinenet.com
http://www.who.int

zara2021-03-15T16:46:29+00:00

Focus – HIV/AIDS