Put the power back in your hands

World AIDS Day, 1 December 2011

"A year ago my life was in a mess. At the time I did not want to admit it, pretending that I was in control when in reality I was living in denial. I had watched three of my family members die from terrible illness in the last two years and in my heart I knew that if I did not take action I would soon be joining them. So I decided to get tested for HIV. It was the best decision I ever made."

As part of the Government Employees Medical Scheme's (GEMS) ongoing effort to educate our members and future members on a range of healthcare topics, we would like to share real life member stories with you and explore certain important healthcare issues. This article looks at the subject of living with HIV this World AIDS Day, 1 December 2011.

A common problem
Simon Kgokane* is a 52-year-old GEMS member. Like many South Africans he goes to work, spends time with his family on weekends and enjoys watching sports with his friends. He tries to save money for the future and to lead a healthy lifestyle. Simon is just like millions of other South Africans, and just like millions of other South Africans, he is HIV positive.

According to estimates from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), almost six million people in South Africa are living with HIV/AIDS. However not everyone who has HIV knows about it and many of these people do not take precautions such as using a condom during sexual intercourse. This is why the HIV pandemic continues to spread and more and more people become infected.

The same study conducted by the WHO and UNAIDS also found that more than 1 400 000 children have been orphaned because of HIV/AIDS related deaths in South Africa. Many of these children end up having to raise their younger siblings, which compromises their education and robs them of their childhood. However, it does not have to be like this. By getting to know more about HIV and being tested we can begin to reduce the infection rate in our country.

Getting to know about HIV
HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system - the body's defence against diseases. Over time, this makes it difficult for the body to fight off serious illnesses such as pneumonia or TB, which can be fatal for HIV sufferers who are not receiving the appropriate treatment.

Many people know what the disease is but there are other aspects to HIV that they do not understand. One of the most common myths around HIV/AIDS is that you can catch it by being close to an infected individual. This is not true. HIV can only be transferred in the swapping of bodily fluids such as blood and semen. It is most commonly passed on during unprotected sex and in the use of needles that have not been sterilised. You cannot get HIV from touching, kissing or sharing utensils with an HIV positive person.
 
 Another common myth is that people get HIV because they have done bad things. But just like cancer and other diseases, HIV infects people from all walks of life and has nothing to do with who you are as a person.

Confronting the illness
"In my experience HIV is still a topic that makes some people uncomfortable," says Simon. "I have friends and colleagues who do not like talking about it and who refuse to even think about getting tested. However, there are others who understand just how important it is to know your status and I think that the number of people taking control is growing."

Simon is correct in believing this. In fact according to recent statistics approximately 14 million people have been counselled and tested for HIV in South Africa since the launch of the national HCT campaign in April last year.

"Making the decision to get tested is not an easy one. I found it extremely stressful and when I was informed that I was HIV positive I suffered from depression for quite some time. However, this eventually passed and I realised that I had done the right thing, because with treatment and a healthy lifestyle I still have the rest of my life to spend with my family and to accomplish my goals," explains Simon.

Living with HIV
Simon observes that while life with HIV can be just as fulfilling as ever, you do have to take more care when it comes to looking after yourself.

"Nowadays I am much more conscious about my health," says Simon. "I make sure that I take my medicine properly as the doctor instructs me to. I try to avoid coming into contact with those who are sick with infectious illnesses such as the flu as my immune system is compromised and I can get sick more easily than other people. I also make sure that I get plenty of exercise and eat lots of fruits and vegetables."

Simon points out that as a GEMS member he has access to Aid for AIDS, a company that works for GEMS to provide members with the confidential support that they need if they are HIV positive. By turning to them for help you can take control of your life.

"Many people believe that being diagnosed with HIV is as good as being sentenced to death. Well, I am living proof that this is not the case. In fact, living with HIV is all about life and being able to live it to the fullest. If I had not been tested I could have died by now. But because I confronted my illness I am able to watch my children grow up. Being tested gave me my life back," concludes Simon.

If you would like to know how GEMS can assist you to obtain more information about any of your healthcare needs, you can contact the GEMS call centre on 0860 00 4367 or send a SMS to 083 450 4367. GEMS will assist you in every way possible to ensure your family's health and well-being.

Sources:

Avert - www.avert.org 

World Aids Day - www.worldaidsday.org
The World Health Organisation - www.who.int
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS - www.unaids.org

*The member's name has been changed to protect his identity.