Facts and Stats keep us informed about what is happening in the world around us, and being informed means education on relevant issues in our space, be it you, your family or your community.

FACTS

1. People with HIV today can live long, healthy lives.

2.      Early access to ARV treatment is beneficial in keeping viral loads low and immune systems strong.

3.     There are only three ways to get HIV:

· Unprotected sex (sex without a condom).

· Contact between your blood and infected blood or body fluids.

· Mother-to-child transmission.

4.     HIV is NOT the same as AIDS.

1. You cannot know if your partner has HIV unless he or she has been tested.
2. There is no vaccine to prevent HIV.
3. HIV tests are reliable.
4. There is NO cure. 

Read more:  https://bit.ly/HIVHealthFacts 

• Dolutegravir or DTG is the most recommended HIV treatment drug as it has minimal side effects. It also can reduce the chances of people developing drug resistance. South Africa began its rollout of DTG in December 2019.

• Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is medication taken after coming into contact with HIV to lessen your chance of infection. You must start PEP within 72 hours (3 days) after exposure to HIV. Start sooner rather than later. It has little to no effect after three days or more after exposure.

• PEP can lower your risk of HIV infection by 80% if you take it as prescribed by your healthcare worker. https://wb.md/3tXZ7g9 

Instances where you may need PEP:

• If you think you suspect exposure to HIV during intercourse. 
• If you were molested.
• Drug users who recently shared needles or other related items
• Healthcare workers who may have been exposed to HIV on the job. (i.e. needle-stick)

STATS

The estimated overall HIV prevalence rate is approximately 13,7% among the South African population. 

The current population in South Africa is 61.93 Million making these prevalence rates cause for concern.

Globally there are 37.7 million people living with HIV. South Africa is a third of that infected population.

The total number of people living with HIV (PLWHIV) is estimated to be 8,2 million in 2021. For adults aged 15–49 years, an estimated 19,5% of the population is HIV positive. (Department: Statistics South Africa) 

In 2020 my healthcare worker advised me that I qualified for the new treatment, Dolutegravir. I am relieved that I had no side effects, not even weight gain or the expected insomnia. My experience obviously does not mean that side effects will not occur in others.

My healthcare worker advised me to change my old night-time routine to a morning regimen. I set my alarms to go off twice in the morning at ten-minute intervals, helping me adjust to the new schedule after twelve years. Keeping to my new regimen was extremely important as I needed to take my ARV treatment strictly on a 24-hour cycle to maintain my viral load and CD4 levels.

A chronic condition can affect anyone. How you manage it is what makes the difference.

You can get cover of up to 3 million rand for your chronic health condition and up to 10 million if you are living with HIV.

SMS CHRONIC to 33857 to find out more.

I did!

Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended for educational purposes only.

It is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure, and is not a substitute for professional consultation with a health professional.