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A 21-year-old lady narrates the highs and lows of living positively with HIV
At 21, Jane*, not her real name, has been living with a secret, at least in the public eye. She was born with HIV and has been on anti-retroviral treatment for as long as she can recall, she spoke with NTV’s Brygettes Ngana about her experiences as a young person living with HIV. As the world marks World Aids Day, Kenya has recorded the highest rise in new infections among adolescents and young adults a concern for the Ministry of Health.
Q: How old are you and how did you come to learn about your HIV status?
A: I was born in Nakuru, I am 21 years old. I was enrolled in the Comprehensive care Clinic in 2006. I used to take Septrin alone since ARVs are given based on your body weight and so I began taking ARVs in 2017/2018. My parents have never told me that I am HIV positive, I used to attend support group meetings and from the discussions, I could relate to what other people were sharing from their experiences living with HIV. That’s where I learned about my status. I have never asked my parents how I got HIV but I know I contracted it from my mom, and I accepted my status and kept on taking the ARV’s this is my life.
Q: Most new HIV infections are happening in adolescents and young adults. How does knowing your status helped you navigate life as young adult?
A: It is usually very difficult for me to disclose my status, if someone is not educated on HIV /AIDS they will judge you. I am in my 20s, if I tell anyone about my status they will think I contracted HIV from having unprotected sex since they do not know my background. The minute you tell someone about your status, they get shocked and avoid you, but I don’t see it as a big deal.
Q: You call yourself a champion, tell us why?
A: I call myself a champion because for almost 21 years I have been taking ARVs without questions. I know why I am taking the medication and I think I am winning like any other person who is not HIV positive. I want my viral load to be undetectable and my CD4 count to be high. Viral load is the amount of virus in your bloodstream, if it is high you risk infecting other people if you have unprotected sex. An undetectable viral load is equal to an un-transmittable.
Q: As a Youth Volunteer in this public hospital how do you help the young people who test positive?
A: When we test and someone turns positive, they are really shocked. It’s very hard for them to take it in. Young people who are sexually active rarely come for testing every three months as is recommended. When you find yourself as the only person on ARVs in your family, it can really take a toll on you. Some people get depressed and even end up dying by suicide. As a youth champion, I guide them, telling them that I have been taking ARVs since 2006 and so they also have a future. If they see something positive about my story they will change.
Q: What are your fears?
A: I am afraid of rejection. When I get into a relationship for example, and I tell my lover about my HIV status it will definitely scandalize them, that rejection is what I dread. I cannot handle it.
Q: Are you in a relationship?
A: Not yet. I am hopeful though, that I will meet someone I don’t care about their status. If the person is negative we’ll talk things through.
Q: Do think there is misinformation about HIV /AIDS?
A: Yes, there is a lot of misinformation like the billboards that say HIV kills, that really bothers me, because HIV doesn’t kill, it is the opportunistic infections like Tuberculosis that can kill you but if you take your medication you can live with HIV. I don’t understand how the government approves of those billboards.
Q: Anything you’d like to add?
A: People should know their status because everyone ‘looks’ healthy even if you are enjoying your youth, protect yourself, and come to the health facility and be tested. Those of us living positively, let’s keep adhering to our medication.
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