What can you do?

Anyone can be at risk for HIV infection. The only effective strategy for controlling the spread of HIV is prevention. How?

• Abstain from sex or practice fun activities of a sexual nature with your partner that does not involve the transfer of body fluids such as cuddling or mutual masturbation
• If you are sexually active, use safe sex measures like using a condom (even if you are in a monogamous relationship)
• Be committed to a monogamous relationship or reduce your number of sex partners
• Spreading the correct information about preventing HIV infection
• Get treatment for Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs): STDs increase the spread of HIV as STD's damage the skin of the genital area causing sores or inflammation. These sores or inflammation makie it easier for HIV to enter your body through the broken skin which then can be passed from one person to another.
• Do not share needles or shaving blades
• Demand that nurses and doctors use sterile, disposable needles
• Mother to child infections can be reduced by a short course of an anti-HIV drug given to the mother and new-born baby at the time of delivery

Live positively

There is no cure for HIV & AIDS but HIV is treatable. Medication slows down the disease and helps people live longer. Healthy living can also help people live longer. A lot of people in South Africa consult traditional African healers or sangomas who use alternative, traditional remedies other than conventional medication. Some of these treatments are potentially bad for people with HIV/AIDS. For example, some say that the African potato boosts the immune system, therefore helping to fight AIDS. The truth is that research has shown that the African potato, lowers the level of antiretroviral chemicals in the body of people on ARV treatment – it actually increases the likelihood of HIV developing resistance to the drugs. If you are in treatment for HIV, be responsible and take the medication as prescribed. Here are a few more ways that you can live positively with HIV:

• Practice safe sex! Even if you and your partner are both HIV positive, you can re-infect each other!
• Eat 3 good meals a day: eat fresh fruits and vegetables; eat whole grains such as brown bread; avoid junk food
• Exercise
• Learn how to deal with stress e.g. through meditation or doing something that you enjoy or that relaxes you
• Get enough rest
• Be positive about life: believe in yourself, see the positive side of things, and set goals for yourself
• Take care of your health – its best not to drink, take drugs or smoke, but if you do try to reduce it
• Take your medication correctly
• Tell your partner that you are HIV+
• Talk about the disease to your family, friends and community
• Get support from those around you

Support someone who is HIV+

• show love, respect and support
• know the facts about HIV and AIDS
• encourage people with HIV to get treatment if they are sick
• talk openly about the disease with the HIV infected person or with other people but DO NOT disclose the persons HIV status to anyone without their permission
• help to reduce stress and stressful situations
• be positive for and with the person – don’t scare them unnecessarily about their impeding death sentence
• help to provide balanced and nutritious meals
• If you are looking after someone with HIV, you may sometimes need to clean up body fluids or blood from someone infected with HIV. Even though there is a slim chance of infection, rather don’t risk it. Use rubber, plastic gloves, plastic bags or thick cloths to prevent direct contact. Make sure that you have these easily available at all times.