HIV = ARV

In fact, the life expectancy of an HIV positive person can be the exact same as a person who is HIV negative.

Here are a few important details that every South African citizen should consider:

Test!If you do not test, you will not know your HIV status

• We are in the “test and treat” era
• You can have a quick finger prick test (you will know immediately) or a lab blood test (you will know the next day)
• We always confirm with two tests

Start treatment while you are still well so that you do not get ill

• You can access treatment within a day or two of testing positive
• Treatment should suit your lifestyle
• Treatment should preferably be taken once a day
• Treatment should have no side effects
• Treatment should have no toxic effects
• Within four months of being on treatment, your viral load should be undetectable

One’s viral load must be undetectable

• This is the most important tool we use for monitoring HIV
• The viral load tells:
  • If taking your treatment
  • If you are taking your treatment properly
  • If the drugs work for you

Do not wait to get ill before you start treatment

• Do not get TB and then start treatment
• Do not get diarrhoea and then start treatment
• Do not get a chest infection and then start treatment
• Do not lose weight and then start treatment
• Do not get skin infections and then start treatment

Fertility shouldn’t be a problem, as long as you are virally undetectable

• Whether one partner is positive or both are positive
• One can have as many babies as one likes
• No baby should be born HIV positive

You canlive as long as you like

• Treatment is for life
• Treatment means ARVs, a healthy diet, a good lifestyle
• Life expectancy can be exactly the same as that of HIV negative people

HIV = Human Immunodeficiency Virus

ARV = Antiretroviral

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