World Aids Day, 1 December 2012

As part of the Government Employees Medical Scheme's (GEMS') ongoing effort to educate our current and future members on a range of healthcare topics, we look at HIV this World AIDS Day, 1 December 2012.

In South Africa we are constantly bombarded with information about HIV/AIDS. Unfortunately, our continent has the highest infection rate in the world. Despite efforts by the media to educate us about this disease there is still confusion.

The latest studies show a staggering number of people living with HIV worldwide. It is reported that about 34.2 million people live with the disease and of that number approximately 23.5 million are on the African continent. That makes it 69% of the global total.

What is HIV/AIDS?
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that infects cells of the immune system, destroying or weakening their function. As the infection progresses, the immune system becomes weaker and the person becomes more susceptible to infections. Diseases like pneumonia and tuberculosis (TB) become difficult for the body to fight and can be life threatening. The most advanced stage of the HIV infection is acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It can take ten-15 years for a person to develop AIDS and antiretroviral drugs can also slow down this process even further.

Know your HIV status
It is imperative for everyone to know their HIV status. All you need is a quick trip to your doctor or nearest clinic for a simple blood test. The results of which are available quite quickly. There is a window period of three to 12 weeks in which the virus may not be detected and for this reason it is suggested that another test be done after three months of the initial test. Your results are kept confidential and everyone should receive post counselling and follow-up care and treatment. It is important to know your status and how HIV is spread, so that you can protect yourself and your loved ones from the disease.

How is it transmitted?
There are a number of ways you can get HIV. These include unprotected sex, the transfusion of contaminated blood, sharing of contaminated needles and the transmission from mother to her child during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding.

How do you protect yourself?
Our everyday choices can protect us from the possibility of contracting this disease. For example, abstaining from sex with multiple partners. The consistent and correct use of condoms during sex can protect you against the spread of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. The use of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs within 72 hours of exposure to the disease can prevent the person from contracting HIV. People who inject drugs can take precautions against becoming infected with HIV by not sharing their needles and using sterile or clean injecting equipment, including needles and syringes, for each injection. When a woman is HIV positive and pregnant, it is important for her to consult her doctor to find out what the best treatment may be and how to prevent the transmission of the disease to the baby.

Treatment
Being diagnosed with HIV does not need to be the end of the world. By consulting with your doctor you will realise that with the correct treatment and a healthy lifestyle, you can live a full and healthy life.

HIV can be suppressed by a combination of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and ARV drugs. Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi recently revealed that the number of people receiving free antiretroviral treatment had increased, with 300 0000 more people being put on treatment between 2010 and 2011.
ART does not cure HIV but it does control the disease and allows the person's immune system to strengthen to be able to fight off infections. This helps people with the disease to live productive lives.

A healthy lifestyle is also extremely important, as your immune system needs all the help it can get. Regular exercise and healthy meals should therefore be at the top of your list.

Knowledge is power
World AIDS day aims to educate the public about this disease. Knowledge is power and the more you know about the disease, the easier it is to find the necessary assistance. Do the responsible thing this year and get tested to know your status.

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.

References
1.World Health Organisation, www.who.int
2.The Huffington Post, www.huffingtonpost.com
3. SouthAfrica.Info, http://www.southafrica.info/