What if HIV was like Malaria?
What if HIV was like malaria?
Why is it so easy for people to say I caught a cold or I was diagnosed with cancer but almost a taboo to say I have HIV?
We have all contributed to increasing the stigma about HIV. As individuals, we have the attitude of apportioning blame or automatically looking at people with HIV as promiscuous people. While this might be the case with some people it’s not with everyone. HIV like Diabetes is a chronic disease. It can be better managed if diagnosed early and if patients take their drugs properly. With the heavy stigma associated with HIV infection, some people do not get treatment early enough and some live in denial until it is too late. Unfortunately, this only contributes to a greater incidence of disease.
This year, World AIDS Day is celebrated under the theme “Ending the HIV/AIDS Epidemic: Community by Community“.
We have one question for all our readers today;
‘What is your role as part of the community to fight HIV?’
We will like to say we are gone past the era of HIV stigmatization. Like any other chronic disease, we should cease from stigmatizing people.Very simple things like knowing our HIV status, encouraging those around us to get tested and take treatment if tested positive are a first step. Recognizing that HIV is a chronic infection and could affect anyone is the next step. Getting appropriate treatment means undetectable viral loads, and the good news is that it decreases the chances of transmitting the infection to anyone else.
Today on World AIDS Day, we reaffirm our commitment to #EndAIDS through the global theme, ‘Communities make the difference’.
HERO Cameroon has been actively involved in raising awareness about HIV/AIDS in the community and partnering with important stakeholders to ensure an HIV-free future for Sub-Saharan Africa.
What have you done as an individual or group to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic?
Share with us in the comments section below.
For further reading, click on the link below
Dr Fozao Mbi Vanessa.
Et si le VIH était comme le paludisme ? Pourquoi est-ce si facile de dire j’ai le palu mais presque un tabou de dire je suis séropositif ? Je pense que nous avons grandement contribué à la stigmatisation vis-à-vis des personnes séropositives, car nous les regardons comme des personnes légères et frivoles, ce qui n’est pas toujours le cas.
Comme le diabète, le VIH est une maladie chronique qui peut très bien être contrôlé si le diagnostique est fait assez tôt, et si les patients prennent leurs médicaments religieusement. Mais tellement nous stigmatisons les personnes séropositives que la plupart ne prennent pas leurs médicaments comme il se doit, et certains vont même jusqu’à nier leur maladie, ce qui peut avoir de lourdes conséquences.
Cette année, la journée mondiale du sida a pour thème, « le VIH et la communauté ». En tant que membre de la communauté ; quel est ton rôle dans la lutte contre le VIH ? Encourages-tu les gens à se faire dépister ou fais-tu des commentaires désobligeants à leur endroit ?
Tout ça pour dire que l’époque de la stigmatisation est révolue. Nous demandons un changement d’attitude. Au lieu de pointer les gens du doigt, encourageons-nous les uns les autres à se faire dépister. Il y a des médicaments disponibles ; qui aident à contrôler la charge virale, voir même à la rendre indétectable. Quand la charge virale est indétectable, le VIH devient intransmissible. « I=I ». Pour finir, en tant que membre de la communauté, si nous évitons la stigmatisation, alors le taux de décès lié au VIH diminuera.
Translation: Wanko Lowe Yvana
Editor: Christie Linonge, MD MSc(c)
1. I check my HIV status regularly.
2. Actively screen for HIV (and other STIs) in my patients
3. Regularly directing people living with HIV/AIDS for drug adherence counselling
3. Health education on HIV/AIDS
4. Actively screening for and implementing preventive measures for opportunistic infections
What if HIV was like malaria? Then I think many people will be more comfortable to talk about their status and take their medications. I’m longing to see those days when people would be able to say ‘ I have HIV’ without being stigmatized. Many people lose their lives not because of the HIV itself, but because of the mental struggles they have to face each day. It’s like fighting two battles, one against the virus, and another against societal stigma.
Advocate and campaign on HIV