Month: February 2023

Are You In A Mixed-HIV Status Relationship?

Posted on by Shazia Kassim

A mixed-HIV status relationship is a relationship in which one partner has tested negative for HIV and the other partner has tested positive for HIV. This is also called an HIV discordant relationship.

Mixed-HIV status relationships can be very stressful, and you could be asking yourself a lot of questions on how to navigate such a relationship.

Once you find out your partner has tested positive for HIV, it’s important to also get tested so you can both know your status. Knowing your status and talking to your partner about it can help you both protect each other and reduce the risk of infection. Knowing each other’s status can make it easy to negotiate condom use in a relationship and can help you practice a healthy and safe sex life.

You are probably wondering:

“Will the partner living with HIV live a full life?”

Although there is no cure for HIV, it’s manageable and people living with the virus can live a normal, long life if they take their anti-retroviral treatment (ART) as prescribed and they don’t miss treatment. Taking ART every day, at the same time, as prescribed by a healthcare provider can suppress your viral load, which can keep you healthy and prevent transmission to your partner. You can get more information on viral suppression from your healthcare provider.

“Will we ever have a normal sex life?”

Living with HIV does not have to affect your sex life. You can still have a normal, fulfilling sex life with your partner. All you need to do is ensure that you use a condom correctly every time you have sex to protect both you and your partner.

“Does this mean we will never have children?”

People living with HIV can have HIV-free babies as long as they take their treatment and are virally suppressed. Once you and your partner are ready to have a baby, you can speak to your healthcare provider so they can monitor the process to ensure there is no mother-to-child transmission.

“How can I protect myself or my partner from the risk of infection?”

In a mixed-HIV status relationship, the partner who tested negative for HIV can take PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) to reduce their chance of getting infected. PrEP is a medicine administered to individuals who test negative for HIV but are at risk of exposure to the virus to reduce the chances of infection. For PrEP to be effective, it must be taken every day as prescribed by the healthcare provider. Missing treatment can increase your chances of infection.

Although ART can help you achieve viral suppression and PrEP can reduce chances of infection from HIV, it’s important for you and your partner to have protected sex every time and go for regular testing. HIV is not a death sentence; you and your partner can have a meaningful life together.

Remember, if you or a friend need advice or help, you can contact me here on Ask Choma, send a Facebook message, an  Instagram message or a Twitter DM, or a WhatsApp Message (071 172 3657).

The Importance of Prenatal Care

Posted on by Shazia Kassim

Finding out you’re pregnant can be overwhelming, often followed by many questions about what to expect. Whether you are a first-time mom or not, getting early prenatal care is key to a healthy pregnancy.

What is prenatal care?

Prenatal care is the healthcare you receive while pregnant. Regular prenatal care throughout your pregnancy helps to catch potential concerns early and reduces the risk of pregnancy and birth complications.

As soon as you suspect you are pregnant, make an appointment with your healthcare provider.

You can expect to see your healthcare provider regularly, usually monthly up to the second trimester, throughout your pregnancy. Typically, you will be scheduled for your first prenatal appointment when you are at least 8 weeks pregnant.

What to expect

Your healthcare provider will review your medical history at your first prenatal visit.

At each visit, your healthcare provider will check on you and your baby. They’ll advise you on the things you can do to help you and your baby stay healthy, such as eating healthy foods, staying active, and gaining the right amount of weight during pregnancy. Your healthcare provider may also order blood tests and imaging tests, such as an ultrasound.

Why is it important

Even if you are further along in your pregnancy, prenatal care is still important. It is not too late to begin, so see your healthcare provider today to schedule a visit. Babies of mothers who do not get prenatal care are three times more likely to have a low birth weight and have birth complications. Seeing your healthcare provider regularly helps ensure you have the healthiest pregnancy possible.

Remember, if you or a friend need advice or help, you can contact me here on Ask Choma, send a Facebook message, a Twitter DM, or a WhatsApp Message (071 172 3657).

 

HPV Unpacked: What is Human Papillomavirus

Posted on by Shazia Kassim

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) through skin-to-skin contact. This infection causes warts in various parts of the body like the vagina and penis, mouth, and hands depending on the strain.  There are more than 100 varieties of HPV.  Some types of HPV infection cause warts, and some can cause different types of cancer.  

Most HPV infections don’t lead to cancer. But some types of genital HPV can cause cancer of the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina (cervix). Other cancers, including cancers of the anus, penis, vagina, vulva, and back of the throat (oropharyngeal), have been linked to the HPV infection. Read more about cervical cancer linked to HPV

How do you contract HPV?

HPV is spread from sexual skin-to-skin contact with someone who has it. You can get it when your vulva, vagina, penis, or anus touches someone else’s genitals, mouth, or throat during sex. Some people who have the virus usually don’t show the symptoms hence they can still pass it on. 

Symptoms of HPV 

In most cases HPV has no symptoms, this is what healthcare providers refer to as an asymptomatic infection. Many can have it and still don’t know.

Women can develop warts around their genital areas like the vulva, vagina, clitoris, and cervix while males get them on the penis. They can also be on the mouth and hands and can cause itching.

Where you can test?

You can get tested at your doctor’s office or at your community clinic. The test includes a Pap smear or the HPV test, it will also depend on your age and medical history.  Your healthcare provider will let you know which test best suits you.
 

Treatment and Prevention

There is no cure for the virus itself but, there is treatment for the health problems that HPV can cause. Genital warts can be treated by your healthcare provider with prescription medication. If the warts are left untreated, they may go away, stay the same, or grow in size or number. That is why it’s important to seek medical advice.

South Africa has HPV vaccinations for young girls from 9 years through school health programs and adults up to the age of 26, provided they are not sexually active at the time of vaccination. It is not recommended for all adults over the age of 27. Healthcare providers will need to discuss this with you as you may not have been vaccinated earlier in life. In this age range the vaccination provides less benefit because more people might have been exposed to the virus sometime earlier in their life as they became sexually active. Read more on things you should know about the vaccine.

You can also avoid being infected by ensuring that you use protection whenever you have sexual intercourse. 

Remember that there is help Choma, you don’t have to feel ashamed about HPV and no one has the right to judge you. You should see a healthcare provider if you notice any changes in the appearance of your genitals, mouth, throat, or anus so that you can be treated. 

If you or a friend need advice or help, you can contact me here on Ask Choma, send a Facebook message, an  Instagram message or a Twitter DM, or a WhatsApp Message (071 172 3657).