Studies have shown that HIV-positive people are more likely to suffer from depression or a major depressive disorder than those who are HIV-negative.
It is extremely important for an HIV-positive person to take care of their mental health. Depression in HIV-positive patients can lower the immunity and may lead to reduced adherence to Antiretroviral drugs. The disease can also progress quicker.
Anti-depressant medication is effective and can be used in HIV-positive patients. Psychotherapy has also shown to reduce the lowered immunity experienced by depressed patients. It is equally important for patients to lead a healthy lifestyle by eating healthy food, exercising in moderation and reducing stress.
What if I have a partner who is HIV-positive?
It is important to disclose your status to your partner before starting a physical relationship. It may be difficult to disclose this information especially if you love and care for your partner deeply, but it is crucial that you do.
Using condoms should be the standard rule if you are HIV-positive. You can also explore other ways of being intimate with your partner without having sex. It does put a strain on any relationship, but communicating openly is what assists for a “healthy” relationship.
If you live with someone who is positive, it does not mean that you are at risk of contracting the HIV virus. You can share utensils, bathrooms, beds or eat and drink from the same dishes without contracting the virus.
HIV/Aids is real. Take care of yourself.
You can be exposed to HIV/Aids by having unprotected sex: oral, anal or vaginal penetration without a condom, or by blood contact through an open wound, blood in the eyes, a human
bite, contact with an infected needle, or any blood.
Sexual exposure poses the greatest risk for being infected. It is important that our children are also made aware of the risks, especially as now children are becoming sexually active from a younger age. Children should be educated about HIV/Aids.
Educate yourself on HIV/Aids- it could save your life
