As someone living with HIV, cancer, and TB, and having had a heart attack, I discovered numerous benefits from leading a sober lifestyle. Some of these benefits include:
- Improved health: By avoiding alcohol and other harmful substances, my body was able to better fight off infections and recover from my illnesses. My overall health has dramatically improved since I became sober.
- Better relationships: My relationships with family and friends have improved since I chose a sober lifestyle. I can have clearer and more meaningful conversations with those closest to me.
- Increased energy and focus: Abstinence has given me more energy and focus. I can work harder, be more productive, and make the most of each day.
- Increased self-esteem: My self-esteem has improved as I have become more confident in my ability to make positive changes in my life. I can cope with stress and have found healthy and fulfilling ways to manage my emotions.
- Better sleep: My sleep has improved since I decided on abstinence. I can fall asleep more easily, sleep more deeply, and wake up feeling refreshed and energized.
- Financial stability: Living a substance-free life has allowed me to save money that I previously spent on these unhealthy habits. This extra money can be used to pay for medical expenses or be put towards other important life goals.
- Increased longevity: My new and upgraded lifestyle has also improved my chances of living a longer, healthier life. By avoiding harmful substances, I have reduced my risk of developing additional illnesses and complications.
PS: Either a Pro or Con, you decide. I am ALWAYS voted as the designated driver! ?
Initially, I stopped smoking years before any of my chronic challenges. I am in my twenty-first year of abstinence. I stopped consuming alcohol prior to my cancer diagnosis, mainly because the alcohol burnt my tongue, and once my chemotherapy ended, I never resumed the habit.
Keep in mind that certain pleasures in moderation are okay. I choose not to partake and would suggest that anyone who is a prolific substance user and wants to change to a life of abstinence talk to their health worker, who can assist in a programme to ‘wean’ you off detrimental substances.
In conclusion, my sober lifestyle has brought me many benefits, including improved health, better relationships, increased energy and focus, elevated self-esteem, better sleep, financial benefits and increased longevity. So, as to the question, “Is a sober life possible” the answer is a resounding YES!
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.
The definition of fear is an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm. Sometimes people experience fear or lack courage because they are tired, and the idea of doing anything more feels all-consuming.
Fear is a trait that has allowed us as humans to survive predators and natural disasters. We are born with only two characteristic fears: the fear of falling and the fear of loud sounds. The purpose of fear is to promote survival. Throughout human evolution, people who feared the right things lived to pass on their genes. Fear need not be a bad thing!
I have felt fear more times than I like to remember and have practised a mindful and affirmative mindset to work past these fears.
One of my fears was that on hearing of my HIV diagnosis, I would not be around to witness either my son or daughter developing sustainable careers and marriages or be around to see any grandchildren. In the early days of HIV understanding, my life expectancy was a maximum of ten years.
I worked around these fears by telling myself constantly that I had strong, intelligent, hardworking children and that they would be successful in all ways.
Well, I was right. With the new HIV medication and treatments, I was fortunate to see all of this materialise. The great thing, in hindsight, is that my fears were unfounded as they both have admirable careers, are married, and made me a proud grandmother.
- Identify your fear
Do not sweep your fear under the carpet. You will give it more power.
- Challenge your fear
Challenging your fear will help you understand the fundamental reasons why you are fearful.
- Practice affirmative awareness
Listen to your inner voice that discloses your beliefs and thoughts. You may have created negative self-talk.
Negative thoughts disrupt your development. Replace them with positive affirmations.
- Create brave habits
Once you conquer your fear for the first time, don’t stop there. Make a list of things that you would do if you were not fearful. Once the list is made, work your way up from the easiest one.
- Practice mindfulness
When you exercise mindfulness, you learn to observe your thoughts and learn not to let them take over your life.
- Find a mentor
Find a mentor and build a relationship with them. Their courage and confidence can add value that will teach you how to be fearless and brave.
- Embrace failure
We often fear trying something new as we are afraid of failure. As soon as we fail, we give up. Do not fear failure, turn it into a learning opportunity. Begin by building your resilience.
Resilient people are not too hard on themselves when they are unsuccessful and apply a growth mindset. By practising a growth mindset, you accept that you can learn through your failures, so try again.
- Don’t aim for perfection
To overcome fear, try to approach anything you do with an open mind. Do not burden yourself with high expectations. Aim to develop yourself with little or no pressure.
Learn how to be courageous and encourage others
In the pursuit of courage, it does not mean never being afraid. It is a way of taking action regardless of feeling afraid.
Whatever your fear, there are a few ways to help you manage your day-to-day anxieties.
One of them is to breathe through the panic. Try this breathing technique for stress: https://youtu.be/tEmt1Znux58
Reward yourself! By doing this your brain stimulates positive emotions, leading to the self-recognition that your efforts result in a positive reward. With regularity, your brain will start to associate gratitude to completing the assignment and move towards it going forward.
A chronic condition can affect anyone. How you manage it is what makes the difference.
You can get coverage of up to 1 million rands 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.
The definition of fear is an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm. Sometimes people experience fear or lack courage because they are tired, and the idea of doing anything more feels all-consuming.
Fear is a trait that has allowed us as humans to survive predators and natural disasters. We are born with only two characteristic fears: the fear of falling and the fear of loud sounds. The purpose of fear is to promote survival. Throughout human evolution, people who feared the right things lived to pass on their genes. Fear need not be a bad thing!
I have felt fear more times than I like to remember and have practised a mindful and affirmative mindset to work past these fears.
One of my fears was that on hearing of my HIV diagnosis, I would not be around to witness either my son or daughter developing sustainable careers and marriages or around seeing any grandchildren. In the early days of HIV understanding, my life expectancy was a maximum of ten years.
I worked around these fears by telling myself constantly that I had strong, intelligent, hardworking children and that they would be successful in all ways.
Well, I was right. With the new HIV medication and treatments, I was fortunate to see all of this materialise. The great thing, in hindsight, is that my fears were unfounded as they both have admirable careers, are married, and made me a proud grandmother.
- Identify your fear
Do not sweep your fear under the carpet. You will give it more power.
- Challenge your fear
Challenging your fear will help you understand the basic reasons why you are fearful.
- Practice affirmative awareness
Listen to your inner voice that discloses your beliefs and thoughts. You may have created negative self-talk.
Negative thoughts disrupt your development. Replace them with positive affirmations.
- Create brave habits
Once you conquer your fear for the first time, don’t stop there. Make a list of things that you would do if you were not fearful. Once the list is made, work your way up from the easiest one.
- Practice mindfulness
When you exercise mindfulness, you learn to observe your thoughts and learn not to let them take over your life.
- Find a mentor
Find a mentor and build a relationship with them. Their courage and confidence can add value that will teach you how to be fearless and brave.
- Embrace failure
We often fear trying something new as we are afraid of failure. As soon as we fail, we give up. Do not fear failure, turn it into a learning opportunity. Begin by building your resilience.
Resilient people are not too hard on themselves when they are unsuccessful and apply a growth mindset. By practising a growth mindset, you accept that you can learn through your failures, so try again.
- Don’t aim for perfection
To overcome fear, try to approach anything you do with an open mind. Do not burden yourself with high expectations. Aim to develop yourself with little or no pressure.
Learn how to be courageous and encourage others
In the pursuit of courage, it does not mean to never be afraid. It is a way of taking action regardless of feeling afraid.
Whatever your fear, there are a few ways to help you manage your day-to-day anxieties.
Relaxation Technique
One of them is to breathe through the panic. Try this breathing technique for stress: https://youtu.be/tEmt1Znux58
Reward yourself! By doing this your brain stimulates positive emotions, leading to the self-recognition that your efforts result in a positive reward. With regularity, your brain will start to associate gratitude to completing the assignment and move towards it going forward.
A chronic condition can affect anyone. How you manage it is what makes the difference.
You can get cover of up to 1 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.
We have all heard the cliché ‘You are what you eat.’ The belief behind the saying is that what you eat directly relates to your body’s health.
In this day and age of convenience foods and microwave meals, authentic nutritious food is becoming less conventional. The many additives in convenience food can cause illness.
The five prime chronic diseases, namely, Diabetes, Cancer, Hypertension, High Cholesterol, and Heart diseases, are linked to infection and defective immune systems. In many instances, additives are excessive in sodium, hydrogenated oil and refined sugars. Many cooking oils cause inflammatory reactions in the body due to additives, preservatives, and pesticides.
Many convenience foods are high in calories and insubstantial in nutritional value, and our health will consequently become vulnerable to diseases.
Healthy eating should start from a young age as genes often play a role in high blood pressure, heart disease, and other related conditions. It is also possible that people with a family history of high blood pressure share communal environments and other potential elements that increase their risk.
Eating healthy is not about dieting and losing weight, it’s about feeling healthier both physically and mentally.
The benefits of healthy eating…
- May help you live longer.
- Keep skin, teeth, and eyes healthy.
- Support muscles.
- Boost immunity.
- Fortify bones.
- Lower risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers.
- Will boost your immune system.
- Will enhance your mood and energy levels.
After my first chronic diagnosis, of HIV and AIDS, I adapted rather than completely changed my eating habits (diet) as I was already practising a healthy regimen.
Following my diagnosis of TB meningitis, two strokes and Cancer, I again adapted my eating habits, cutting out and adding healthier options. Once again, after my heart attack resulting in a double bypass, I tweaked my diet to fit in with my health situation and active lifestyle. One of the changes I made was to lose some weight, which I duly did. With the right mindset and eating strategy, I lost 20 kilograms! This loss has increased my mobility and, by so doing, enhanced my life.
A chronic condition can affect anyone. How you manage it is what makes the difference.
You can get cover of up to 1 million rand for your chronic health condition and up to 10 million if you live 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.
Chronic illness can cause trauma in adults!
Trauma and stress have been linked to a variety of chronic disorders, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, autoimmune disorders such as arthritis, lupus, chronic pain, and digestive conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and fibromyalgia.
When the body undergoes stress for a prolonged period, neurochemicals and hormones linked with stress are discharged in unusually large amounts. Although these chemicals follow naturally and are a significant process of normal functioning, their extended discharge can be toxic to the brain and body.
When I was first diagnosed with HIV I decided not to disclose my status. I was concerned about the fallout and rejection my disclosure would release and was unwilling to allow myself to be vulnerable. Had I known then what I know now, I would have done things differently.
My health rapidly deteriorated and as I had no physical, emotional or mental support (all of my own doing) I landed in the hospital and doctor’s room on many occasions. Dragging myself to get help without support from family and friends was exhausting and made me even more ill. Trauma and stress to my body became overwhelming. I ended up with TB Meningitis, Cancer, Strokes and more.
There are ways to deal with the trauma of a chronic diagnosis and treatment for this should not be neglected.
Keep in mind that your body is not the enemy. The sooner you accept that, the faster your mental and physical trauma can be alleviated.
- Remember, it is not your fault that you have health issues.
- Do not destroy yourself by adding self-blame to your list of challenges.
- Make peace with this addition to your life.
- Do not drain yourself of energy agonising about how others interpret your medical condition.
- Keep positive people who support you, around.
- You will be let down by friends and family on occasion, accept that this will happen.
- Be brave enough to ask for help.
A chronic condition can affect anyone. How you manage it is what makes the difference.
You can get cover of up to 1 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.
In the early days, South Africa started the free rollout of ARV treatment in April 2004. In my case, diagnosed in 2004, ARV’s were only administered to me in 2008 and not provided ARV treatment until our CD4 was below 200. Years later, ARV’s were recommended at 350 and, still later, at 500 CD4 counts. Normal levels of a CD4 cell count indicate the health of your immune system. The levels of a person who does not have HIV can be anything between 500 and 1500.
Currently, South Africa has implemented guidelines that provide insight into how and when treatment gets supplied, declaring: Who is eligible? ‘All people, regardless of age, CD4 cell count and clinical stage. ART should be initiated within seven days unless there is a reason to defer. Same-day initiation is encouraged if the client is clinically well and motivated.’
- ARV – Antiretroviral – usually refers to the medication
- ART – Antiretroviral Therapy/Treatment
According to the Western Cape Department of Health (DoH), you should start taking HIV treatment immediately on diagnosis, and at the very least, within seven days, circumstances permitting. Advantages of HIV treatment: Once your viral load is undetectable, you cannot pass on HIV to partners. (It might take up to six months on treatment to become undetectable.) U=U means Undetectable = Untransmittable. hiv_guidelines_16012020.pdf (westerncape.gov.za)
Antiretroviral therapy keeps HIV from making copies of itself. On first starting ARVs for your antiretroviral treatment, your HIV levels should drop significantly. Here is when viral load testing comes in. During the first two months of therapy, an HIV-positive person’s viral load should drop to a minimum of 90 per cent.
Benefits of starting immediately:
- An extended life.
- Reaching a higher CD4 count and keeping it high.
- Blocking additional damage to the immune system.
- Lessening the risk for HIV-related and non-HIV-related health complications.
- Reducing your risk of transmitting HIV to others.
Risks of delayed treatment:
- A shorter life
- An extremely weakened immune system. This can lead to it taking longer to repair your immune system later, and your condition can potentially develop into AIDS and other serious illnesses.
- An accelerated chance of your failing health advancing some infections when you begin taking HIV drugs later, and have limited CD4 cells.
- Transmitting HIV to others, inclusive of sexual partners and babies, if you become pregnant.
Blood Tests:
You will have baseline blood tests done prior to starting HIV treatment. Your healthcare worker will take blood for various tests. These are your original, or baseline, tests and subsequent test results will be compared to these original test results to check how your treatment is working.
- CD4 cell (T-cell) count: The CD4 count checks the strength of your immune system. After you start HIV treatment, if your CD4 count is low, you should see it go up. Initially, your CD4 count should be checked every three to four months. When this count becomes stable, it should be checked every six months to one year.
- Viral load test: The viral load (VL) test measures the amount of HIV in your blood. After you start HIV treatment, you should see your viral load go down. Your viral load should be checked around a month after starting or changing HIV medication. Your VL should be tested every three to four months until it becomes undetectable in your bloodstream. Your VL should be checked every six months once stable.
- Resistance test: The resistance test helps regulate which drugs are likely to work against the strain of HIV that you have. Experts recommend that everyone get a resistance test before starting or changing HIV treatment. (HIV-1 has nine named strains: A, B, C, D, F, G, H, J, and K. Some of these have sub-strains).
- Other tests to check your overall health: These include complete blood count (CBC), chemistry screen, lipid profile (cholesterol and fat), liver tests, and glucose(blood sugar). Your healthcare provider should inform you how often you will require these tests.
A chronic condition can affect anyone. How you manage it is what makes the difference.
You can get coverage of up to 1 million rands 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!
(DO’S & DON’T’S)
Using incorrect terminology when talking about HIV and AIDS can be insensitive and harmful to someone with the virus. Even if you are in a group of friends’ company where you assume everyone is HIV-negative, remember that someone in the conversation may be HIV-positive and may not have disclosed their status.
I remember a newly HIV-diagnosed client who approached me for post-counselling, telling me about their neighbour that came for a braai (barbecue) every weekend. The host was diagnosed HIV positive through assisting a person in distress by engaging in mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. This neighbour would regularly rant and show disgust towards people living with HIV. This person’s insensitivity was distressing to the HIV+ host and ensured sadly, that he has not, to my knowledge, ever disclosed his status. This kind of behaviour can be detrimental to the mental and physical health of an HIV person. Be aware of the language you use when talking about HIV around anyone, as you do not know who is HIV positive and possibly struggling with their diagnosis.
If a friend or relative does tell you that they are HIV positive, allow them to talk, listen to them and be understanding of their situation.
Do not say things such as:
- How did you get it?
- Who gave it to you?
- How long have you had it?
- Why am I not surprised?
Rather ask/say:
- How are you feeling?
- Have you started treatment yet?
- How can I support you?
- Have you found a good doctor?
- I am here for you.
Consider rephrasing your terminology when talking about HIV using the examples below to avoid promoting discrimination and misinformation around HIV.
- Instead of using AIDS (when referring to the virus, HIV) – use HIV or HIV and AIDS (when referring to both).
- Don’t say, ‘to catch AIDS’, ‘to catch HIV’, ‘to pass on HIV’ – Do say, ‘to be diagnosed with HIV’, ‘to acquire HIV’, ‘to transmit HIV’.
- Don’t use the phrase ‘body fluids. – Do use, Blood, amniotic fluid, semen, pre-ejaculate, vaginal fluids, rectal fluids, and breast milk.
- Don’t use words like Victims, Sufferers, Contaminated, or Sick, rather say, People/person with HIV.
- Unacceptable phrase: AIDS patient, HIV patient, Patient. Preferred term: Person with AIDS, Person with HIV, Person living with HIV, HIV positive persons.
- A BIG no-no: Positives, HIVers, AIDS or HIV carrier(s). Acceptable terms: HIV-positive people/person, People/person with HIV, People/ person with AIDS
Be direct, non-judgmental, and supportive.
HIV can be transmitted through breast milk and increase the risk of perinatal HIV infection.
Maternal ART can significantly reduce the risk of transmission through breast milk, but it does not exclude the risk of infection. In resource-limited locations, such as South Africa. The World Health Organization (WHO) proposes that mothers living with HIV should breastfeed exclusively for the first six months and continue breastfeeding for at least twelve months, including supplemental foods from the second half.
The mother’s health should be maintained with ART (Antiretroviral Treatment) adherence to decrease the risk of transmission through breastfeeding, and in doing so, support the mother’s health.
An HIV-positive mother can breastfeed and bottle feed simultaneously under supervision by their healthcare workers. The healthcare worker will reassure you that ART reduces the risk of postnatal HIV transmission even when the baby is on mixed feeding.
Mixed feeding may affect a good supply of breast milk. It is important to discuss options when considering supplementing with formula with your clinic, health nurse, lactation consultant or Doctor.
I was fortunate enough to have had both my children well before being diagnosed HIV positive. My personal choice at the time was to breastfeed. I did for thirteen and eighteen months, respectively.
Breastfeeding:
- It comprises the correct percentage of nutrients your baby needs, including protein, carbohydrates, fat, and calcium.
- It offers natural antibodies that help your baby fight illnesses.
- It may increase your child’s intelligence.
- It is always available and is free.
Formula:
- It is convenient.
- It is flexible.
- Scheduling feedings may be easier.
- You do not have to worry about what you eat. At times, breastfeeding mothers need to avoid certain foods.
Ultimately it is the mother’s choice and preference as there are benefits to both options. You decide what will work best for you with the guidance of your healthcare worker.
For more on HIV breastfeeding: HIV/AIDS: Infant feeding and nutrition (who.int)
A chronic condition can affect anyone. How you manage it is what makes the difference.
You can get coverage of up to 1 million rands for your chronic health condition and up to 10 million if you are living with HIV. SMS LIVING to 33857 to find out more.
I did!
Chronic illness can cause trauma in adults!
Trauma and stress have been linked to various chronic disorders, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, autoimmune disorders such as arthritis, lupus, chronic pain, and digestive conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and fibromyalgia.
When the body undergoes stress for a prolonged period, neurochemicals and hormones linked with stress are discharged in substantial amounts. Although these chemicals follow naturally and are a significant normal functioning process, their extended discharge can be toxic to the brain and body.
MY EXPERIENCE
When I was first diagnosed with HIV I decided not to disclose my status. I was concerned about the fallout and rejection my disclosure would release and was unwilling to allow myself to be vulnerable. Had I known then what I know now, I would have done things differently.
My health rapidly deteriorated and as I had no physical, emotional or mental support (all of my own doing) I landed in the hospital and doctor’s room on many occasions. Dragging myself to get help without support from family and friends was exhausting and made me even more ill. Trauma and stress to my body became overwhelming. I ended up with TB Meningitis, Cancer, Strokes and more.
Keep in mind that your body is not the enemy. The sooner you accept that the faster your mental and physical trauma can be alleviated.
REMIND YOURSELF
- Remember, it is not your fault that you have health issues.
- Do not destroy yourself by adding self-blame to your list of challenges.
- Make peace with this addition to your life.
- Do not drain yourself of energy agonising about how others interpret your medical condition.
- Keep positive people who support you, around.
- You will be let down by friends and family on occasion, accept that this will happen.
- Be brave enough to ask for help.
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A chronic condition can affect anyone. How you manage it is what makes the difference. |
|
You can get cover of up to 1 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! |
One of the first comments from newly diagnosed young women I hear is, ‘I will never be able to have children’. Years ago this was a concern as medical data and medication were limited. I was older when diagnosed and had already had the joy of having my children, which put me in a position to understand when someone voiced these concerns as to just how much they thought this was an impossible dream.
An HIV-positive person could potentially transfer HIV to their baby throughout pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding. Being HIV positive does not mean that you cannot have children. Treatment with a combination of HIV medicines called antiretroviral therapy or ART can prevent transference of HIV to your baby and safeguard your health.
During pregnancy, HIV can pass through the placenta and infect the foetus. During childbirth, the baby may be exposed to the virus from blood and other fluids. When a woman goes into labour, the amniotic sac breaks (when her water breaks) and therefore, the risk of transmitting HIV to the baby rises.
The good news is that there are many ways to lower the risk of passing HIV to your unborn baby to almost zero.
You, the woman in the relationship, may not be the one that is HIV positive and wondering how to conceive if your partner is the one living with HIV. There is a variety of ways to achieve your purpose.
UNDETECTABLE VL
When a person living with HIV has an undetectable viral load, there is no risk of HIV transmitting HIV during sex. Provided your HIV partner has an undetectable viral load (for at least six months after the first ‘durably undetectable’ test.) and neither of you has any sexually transmitted infection/disease (STI/STD), sex without a condom is acceptable.
If you or your partner have a detectable viral load it is essential to discuss conception options that reduce or remove the risk of transference during intercourse to you or your partner and baby. Before deciding not to use condoms, get advice from your HIV healthcare providers so that they can establish what would work best for you. One of the options may be to join up with your HIV-negative partner taking PrEP (Pre-exposure prophylaxis). PrEP decreases HIV transmission and is safe to take during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
BOTH HIV POSITIVE
If both partners are HIV positive, both must have an undetectable viral load to prevent reinfection. Reinfection can lead to transmitted resistance whereby a drug-resistant variant can transfer to a partner. Should this happen, some HIV drugs may not work.
Currently, the drugs of choice for HIV in pregnancy are the antiretroviral drugs dolutegravir, and emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide fumarate, (DTG+FTC/TAF). These may compromise the safest and most effective HIV treatment regimen, which is currently available during pregnancy.
MOTHER-TO-CHILD TRANSMISSION
Overall, the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV is 40% in the absence of any intervention. The timing of such transmission is as follows: in utero: 5%; during delivery: 15–20%; up to 24 months of breastfeeding: 20%. https://sahivsoc.org/Guidelines/Module19
In 21 countries in sub-Saharan Africa surveyed in 2019, the transmission rate varied between 2 and 25%. The countries with the best figures were Botswana, Eswatini, South Africa and Namibia (all below 5%).
If you, your partner or both are HIV positive, ask your medical service provider for guidance on the most suitable procedure that will suit you and your partner’s situation.
The next blog will provide information on breastfeeding vs formula feeding – you decide.
A chronic condition can affect anyone. How you manage it is what makes the difference.
You can get cover of up to 1 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!
