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South Africa has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the world, with just over 11% of the population (about 5.4 million people) estimated to be infected. In 2006, the UNAIDS Global Report, the Actuarial Society of Southern Africa and official South African reports estimated that around 18% of the economically active sector of the population was infected with HIV. It was estimated in 2006, by the Actuarial Society of Southern Africa, that just over 700 thousand people were in immediate need of anti-retroviral treatment (ART) and that just less than 230 000 were receiving treatment. If South Africa was to maintain only 20% ART coverage, about 500 000 people would be on ART in 2015. At 90% coverage, more than 2 million people would be on ART in 2015.
The South African Government's response to the HIV and AIDS epidemic is centred on the newly launched National Strategic AIDS Plan for the period 2007 – 2011 as well as the National Department of Health’s Operational Plan for Comprehensive HIV and AIDS Treatment and Care, which was introduced in November 2003. The “scaling up” of ART access continues to move at a pace well below required - partly because of major capacity and infrastructure constraints in the health services. |
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| Siyakhana advocates that all sexually active people should know their HIV status, so that if they are HIV negative they can stay negative and if they are HIV positive they can make lifestyle choices that promote health and access to care, support and treatment. The next few sections provide information for people living with HIV and AIDS. |
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ANTI-RETROVIRAL TREATMENT
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Anti-retroviral Treatment is administered when HIV positive people have a CD4+ count of 350 or less. The CD4+ count measures the impact of the virus on the immune system. If your CD4+ count is higher and treatment is not yet indicated then it is important to stay as healthy as possible.
Keep track of your CD4+ count so that you don’t delay treatment once it is indicated. Once you begin treatment you will need to continue for the rest of your life, so be sure to take your medicine diligently and continue to live as healthily as possible.
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Most people who learn they are HIV positive find they go through a range of emotional responses from denial, anger, guilt, depression and finally acceptance. Keeping a secret about your status is not good for your health and most people report feeling more comfortable after disclosing their status to their loved ones.
Talking to someone like a friend, peer educator or trained counsellor will help you consider your life as an HIV positive person. |
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A healthy diet comprising lots of fresh fruit and vegetables will ensure your body gets the nutrition it needs for maximum health. A diet that includes an even spread of food groups is best this includes protein, carbohydrates, unprocessed fats, diary and fibre. Avoid excessively salty food, too much sugar and too much red meat.
A multi-vitamin supplement is recommended. Do not take "immune boosters" before discussing these with your treatment doctor/nurse. |
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| Staying active and exercising is a valuable way of dealing with stress and protecting your immune system. |
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| Fatigue puts strain on the immune system so try and get eight hours of sleep a night. We function best if our sleep patterns are regular – with going to sleep and waking up more or less at the same time per day. Obviously life circumstances might require variation. |
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Excessive alcohol, smoking, drugs, unregistered herbal mixtures and unprotected sex (sex without a condom).
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