HIV positive – “This was never meant to happen to me”

It was not the first time Senzo Thabekhulu (not his real name) tested for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) at the Ballito Clinic.

But the local man said he was left trembling and confused when the counselor told him he was HIV positive few weeks back.

He went to the clinic because we was not feeling well and was told that he had to do an HIV test.

“When the counsellor said, ‘You are HIV positive’ it felt like the whole world was on my shoulders. She kept on talking but I could not hear her. I was traumatised,” said Thebekhulu.

Eventually, he managed to calm down and asked her what to do next.

He was told that he must start his treatment as soon as possible and his blood samples were taken.

“The most difficult part was telling my family about my health condition. I cannot tell my mother – she will die. But at the clinic, they said at least one family member should know. I had no choice but to inform my sister.”

“People still assume you have HIV because you were sleeping around.”

This was not the case with Thebekhulu, he was always faithful to his partner and he said he had only one girlfriend that he did not use protection with. They had wanted to start a family.

“After testing positive, I contacted her and she told me that she knew her status and that is why she left me. She said she could not tell me because I might have killed her for infecting me. She thought the best way was to let me live with the virus until I found out.”

While he has forgiven her, he said he is finding it hard to forgive himself for trusting someone with his life.

Despite this he is trying to face his diagnosis and live a normal life.

“One thing that I know, there are millions of people living with the virus and they are fine. I, therefore believe that everything will be ok.”

What is HIV?
According to AIDS.gov, HIV attacks the body’s immune system, specifically the CD4 cells, which help the immune system fight off infections.

If left untreated, HIV reduces the number of CD4 cells (T cells) in the body, making the person more likely to get infections or infection-related cancers.

There is no other way to find out whether you are positive or negative besides being tested.

You can get tested for free at your local health care provider or buy a home testing kit at a pharmacy or online.

Thebekhulu said when he started his antiretroviral therapy (ART) medication the side effects “nearly killed me”.

“I had nightmares, stomach pains and my body was very weak. I had to go and see a doctor. She said people react differently to the medication so she gave me different medication and I was fine.”

Other medications or conditions you have could cause the antiretrovirals to react differently. So you should tell your doctor and pharmacist about all other medications, supplements, and herbs you take.

The Basics

• HIV is the virus that causes HIV infection. AIDS is the most advanced stage of HIV infection.
• HIV is spread through contact with the blood, semen, pre-seminal fluid, rectal fluids, vaginal fluids, or breast milk of a person infected with HIV. Individuals cannot become infected through ordinary day-to-day contact such as kissing, hugging, shaking hands, or sharing personal objects, food or water.
• The use of HIV medicines to treat HIV infection is called antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART involves taking a combination of HIV medicines (called an HIV regimen) every day. ART can’t cure HIV infection, but it can help people infected with HIV live longer, healthier lives. HIV medicines can also reduce the risk of transmission of HIV.

(source: The World Health Organisation and Aidsinfo.nih.gov)

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