There is no cure for AIDS, but there are ways to treat the symptoms. Health is not merely the absence of disease, but a sense of total well-being. Wellbeing is determined by 4 aspects.
Physical well-being includes having a proper nutrition, rest, exercise, preventing and treating infections and illnesses, avoiding drugs and alcohol and proper hygiene.
Psychological well-being involves having a positive attitude, building self esteem, counselling and reducing stress.
Social well-being includes having a supportive family and friends, having a social system that protects one from discrimination, continuing productive work and being involved in advocacy.
Spiritual well-being means having faith or a belief system, praying and meditation.Â
ANTI-RETROVIRAL THERAPY
ART is combination therapy that slows down HIV from spreading in the body.
Duration: ART is a lifetime commitment. People on ART will need to swallow pills every day
according to a strict schedule.
Adherence: Skipping only a few of these pills can trigger the development of new strains of
HIV that are immune to these drugs. These new strains could eventually lead to death.
Costs: Anti-retroviral drugs can be very expensive and many people cannot afford them.
Side Effects: headaches, dry mouth, skin rash, diarrhoea, anaemia, dizziness, hair loss, tingling
in the hands and feet, nausea and vomiting, unusual or bad dreams, feeling tired, and
feelings of sadness or worry.
Once one is diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, Living positively with HIV involves what is called the 5 L,s.
BeLieve in yourself – you can do it
Learning all you can
Listening to your doctor
Leaning on others – counselling, support from friends and families
Letting be – accepting the situation you are in.
HIV/AIDS is not a death sentence. Since the 80’s, a lot of research into this once deadly illness has resulted in prolonged life spans and increased quality of life. Know your HIV status now and save yourself and your loved ones.