Of the country’s estimated 60.6 million people, about 8.5 million are HIV positive, according to the Statistics SA 2022 mid-year population estimates report. It noted that the Covid-19 pandemic had interrupted South Africa’s prevention and treatment programmes, but these are being resumed. At present, nearly one in five people aged between 15 and 49 are living with the virus, most of them women.
While better and cheaper antiretroviral (ARV) medication allows people with HIV to have a better quality of life than ever before, it’s important to surround yourself with a support network, to seek counselling, and to make sensible lifestyle choices, to protect yourself and others.
Stay healthy
It’s important to take HIV medication as directed. If you don’t, your level of immune system defenders called CD4 cells can drop, and the level of virus in your blood (viral load) will go up. Medicines then become less effective.
“If you keep taking ARVs as you should, your viral load can eventually become so low as to be undetectable, meaning you are no longer infectious,” says Professor Francois Venter, executive director: Ezintsha, Faculty of Health Sciences, at the University of the Witwatersrand.
Some patients report stopping medication because of side-effects, although this is unusual with the new agents, he says. If you experience ill effects, speak to your health professional, who can either make changes to your medication choices, or help you deal better with effects. Never stop taking ARVs without discussing it with your health provider – your health, even your life, depends on them.
Eat a balanced, nutritious diet, without too much fat, sugar or salt, and get regular exercise. Exercise builds muscle, burns fat and keeps your bones and heart healthy. It’s also a good way to manage anxiety and depression, which studies have found are higher in people living with HIV.
Teeth and mouth issues are common with HIV, so brush, floss and see your dentist regularly.
Share your status
You don’t have to tell anyone you have HIV, but if you do it may help you to process your emotions. Open up to people you trust and who you know care about you. If you’re unsure how to approach the topic, talk to a healthcare professional, HIV organisation or support group for advice – you may even want to take someone with you.
It’s generally advisable to disclose to your partner. If they are HIV negative, they will then know it's important to use condoms for all sexual activity (vaginal, anal, oral), and to be tested often for HIV. Also discuss with them advances such as PrEP: pre-exposure prophylaxis. PrEP is a combination of two ARVs in one pill that can greatly reduce the chance of getting HIV/Aids when taken daily.
For those in long-term relationships, the World Health Organization recently released guidelines for the use of long-lasting injectable PrEP, described as a “safe and highly effective prevention option” for people at substantial risk of HIV infection. “This is not yet available,” says Venter, “but hopefully it will be soon”.
Some health departments offer counselling services. Many provide free services that include helping find sex or drug-injection partners to let them know of their risk of being exposed to HIV, and provide them with testing, counselling and referrals for other services. Clicks Pharmacies also offer HIV testing and counselling*.
Don’t take risks
HIV is spread through body fluids such as blood, semen and vaginal fluids. Use condoms to protect your partner from infection, and to protect yourself from reinfection or from other possible STIs that may worsen your condition.
Also take care not to share items that may have your blood on them, such as razors or toothbrushes.
If you are pregnant, you can pass HIV to your baby during pregnancy and labour. Reduce your risk of infecting your baby by taking ARVs during pregnancy, says Venter.
Many moms are afraid to breastfeed in case they infect their child, but breastfeeding provides all the necessary nutrients for their health in the right proportions and gives protection against allergies and diseases. Since 2016 the World Health Organization has encouraged women taking ARVs to breastfeed. Your baby will need to take anti-HIV drugs in liquid form for a period after birth, but this doesn’t mean they have HIV. In their early years, HIV tests will be done several times to check this.
How Clicks Clinics can help you
*Clicks Clinics offers HIV testing and counselling. To make an appointment call 0860 254 257 or visit Clicks Pharmacies and Clinics online.
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