sexually transmitted infections

According to UNAIDS (The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS) there were approximately 37.9 million people across the globe with HIV/AIDS in 2018. Of these, 36.2 million were adults and 1.7 million were children.

While many live with HIV, there are several famous South Africans who have used their popularity and HIV status to raise awareness about the disease.

Criselda Kananda Dudumashe

This radio host and activist was diagnosed with HIV two decades ago – a time when there was almost no hope for pregnant moms and babies. Today, she’s a mother, motivational speaker, professional counsellor, and serves on the board of the South African National AIDS Council.

Criselda uses her personal story to inspire and encourage people to take responsibility for the choices they make. She believes there’s a need to educate people and takes opportunities to correct incorrect assumptions.

Lesego Motsepe

The late South African actress known for her role as Lettie Matabane in the soap opera Isidingo, disclosed her status on World Aids Day in 2011. She strived in educating people on behalf of the voiceless. Lesego died in 2014, two years after stopping ARV treatment.

The main lesson that is taught by these South Africans about the HIV stigma, is their use of their stories to encourage those affected by it to speak up and to know they can still live a healthy life by taking treatment.

Musa “Queen” Njoko

This renowned Gospel artist was only 22 when she was diagnosed with HIV. She went public about her HIV-positive status in 1995, when treatment wasn’t yet available in South Africa. Though she faced many challenges and stigma, today, Musa still tells her story through inspiring policy work through her music. She aims to encourage people to get tested for HIV and shares that you can still live a good life after being diagnosed.

Other international stars who have inspired those living with the disease include:

Magic Johnson

American retired professional basketball player, Earvin “Magic” Johnson Jr is the most well-
known sports star to disclose his HIV status. He has been living with the disease for more than 20 years and has committed himself to educating and informing people about the disease.

Charlie Sheen

Former Two and a Half Men star Charlie Sheen disclosed his HIV status after an exclusive interview with NBCs Today Show in 2015. He admitted that his admission to the disease was “like being released from prison”. Since then, he has publicly spoken out about his bout with the disease.

Get tested today

It’s recommended that you are tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) at least once a year if you’re having sex, even if you always use protection.

If you’re having sex with a new partner or feel you’re more at risk, test more regularly.

If you test positive, it means you can start treatment quickly to protect your immune system and continue living a healthy life.

If you are HIV positive:

Talk to your doctor about antiretroviral therapy (ART). People on ART take a combination of HIV medicines every day to treat the HIV infection.
The main goal of ART is to reduce viral load to an undetectable level. An undetectable viral load means that the level of HIV in the blood is too low to be detected by a blood test.
This is important because having an undetectable viral load means there’s effectively no risk of transmitting HIV to your HIV-negative partner through sex.

Although ART can’t cure HIV, it can help people with HIV live longer, healthier lives.

References:

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease caused by a type of bacteria.

The disease can affect both men and women. Women can get chlamydia in the cervix, rectum, or throat, while men are vulnerable in the urethra (inside the penis), rectum, or throat.

According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); in 2017, over two million new cases of chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis were reported.

Chlamydia remained the most common condition reported to the CDC with more than one million cases diagnosed in 2017. The report estimates that about 45% of these cases are girls between the ages of 15 to 24.

How do you get chlamydia?

This STD can be passed on through unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex. This includes sharing sex toys with someone who has chlamydia, even if they don’t have symptoms. If you’re pregnant with chlamydia, you can pass the infection on to your unborn baby. You can also get this condition if your genitals come into contact with your partner’s. This means you can contract chlamydia from someone even if there’s no penetration, orgasm or ejaculation. People most at risk of contracting chlamydia are those who regularly have unprotected sex or multiple sexual partners.

Symptoms

Like most STDs/STIs, chlamydia puts you at risk of other STDs including HIV/AIDS. Many cases go undiagnosed because people with the condition don’t have obvious symptoms when they first contract it:

Pain or burning when peeing.
Increased vaginal discharge caused by an inflamed womb (cervix).
Pain during sex and/or bleeding after sex.
Pain in the lower abdomen during sex.
Bleeding between periods and/or heavier periods.
Pain, discharge or bleeding in the anus (bottom).
A cloudy, white or watery discharge from the penis.
Pain and/or swelling in the testicles.

When these symptoms are ignored, they can lead to more infections, prostate problems and even cause infertility in women.

How can it be treated?

As soon as you notice symptoms, check in with your doctor who will ask you to provide a urine sample for testing. For women, a swab is taken from the lower part of the womb (cervix) or the vagina. For men, a swab is taken from the tip of the penis (urethra). If you’ve had anal or oral sex, a swab can be taken from the rectum (bottom) or throat. In most cases, your doctor will give you an effective antibiotic treatment. Your partner must take an antibiotic too, so they don’t reinfect you.

Stay safe

Prevention is key, so learn to protect yourself to prevent infection. Don’t have sex until you and your partner have completed the antibiotic treatment. If you’re diagnosed with chlamydia, you’ll need to inform all your sexual partners, because they will need the same treatment. Also make sure to:

Use latex condoms correctly when you have sex.
Have a follow-up test to make sure the treatment has cleared the infection.
Contact all sexual partners. Even if partners have no symptoms, they could possibly transmit the infection to other sexual partners, so they need to be tested and treated as soon as possible.

Tag: sexually transmitted infections

What these celebrities taught us about HIV