I’m HIV positive – what now?
To receive an HIV positive test result is never easy. You will probably experience feelings of fear, loss, grief, guilt, denial, anger, anxiety, low self-esteem and depression. |
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How to tell others (Disclosure issues)
Disclosure of a loved one’s seropositive status is difficult and often a shock, and no two people react in the same way to the news. Affected others’ responses can range from involvement, caring and support on the one hand, to abandonment, indifference, and antagonism on the other.
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Living positively
When you are diagnosed as HIV-positive it needn't be the end of your life, it just means that you have to start living positively. Here are some ways to do just that by Pierre Brouard. |
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Managing stress
Moderate amounts of stress are usually not harmful and can even be stimulating. Excessive stress, however, can be detrimental to one’s health. |
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What about sex now?
To be HIV positive does not mean that this is the end of your sex life. Sex forms a very important part of one’s psychological health and well-being - as it is nurturing, relaxing and stress-relieving. It is, however, extremely important for the HIV positive person to always practice safer sex. |
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Infection control
The following body fluids can be infectious when they are contaminated with HIV, and they should be handled with care by health care professionals and home-based caregivers (universal precautions should apply to these fluids). |
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Family and community involvement
The magnitude of the HIV/Aids crisis in Africa necessitates the involvement of the family and the community in care programmes. We will only be able to cope with the demands of HIV/Aids if we establish well functioning community home-based care organisations.
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Care and nursing principles
What follows is practical advice on how to prevent and treat some of the common symptoms associated with HIV infection and Aids at home with only the most basic and inexpensive commonly available resources. Caregivers should look out for certain changes in the condition of the patient and seek professional help when necessary.
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Tests used for diagnosis of HIV infection
The diagnosis of HIV infection is based mainly on the laboratory testing of blood samples.
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Eating defensively
HIV-infected people are usually more vulnerable to contract food-borne illnesses because of their weakened immune systems. It is therefore important for people with HIV infection to follow basic food safety guidelines and to eat defensively.
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