‘Let’s talk to our children about sex and HIV’

‘LET’S have open conversations with our children about sex, contraceptives and ARV treatments.

‘Children between 16 and 24 are being infected with the HIV virus because they don’t get information from us as parents. Let’s give our children information on HIV to prevent getting false statements from their friends,’ says King Cetshwayo Aids activist Simphiwe Gumede (34).

As the world commemorates World Aids Day, Simphiwe said this should be a platform to spread the message to youngsters.

‘Talking to our children means when they have sexual problems or are even infected, it makes it easy for them to open up to parents and find a way forward.

‘Hiding information from our children can have deadly consequences. Talking in corners and fooling ourselves that our children are not involved in sexual activities is what will continue the cycle of young people being infected with the HIV virus.

‘We need to understand as children grow they will want to experiment but knowing the facts can save their lives. This means we can have conversations about using protection and empower them with knowledge.

‘The time for us to hide things is over. If we want an HIV free generation, we need to start opening up about the virus,’ said Simphiwe

‘Take ARV treatment with pride’

Although anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs) are not a cure for HIV, the treatment has many positive benefits and help keep infected persons healthy for many years.

Seven years after Simphiwe started with her treatment, she said it not only saved her, but also gave her a second chance at life.

‘Anti-retroviral drugs slow down HIV multiplication. This in turn slows down the loss of CD4 T-cells that the virus destroys, and thus slows down further damage to the immune system, even allowing the immune system to recover to some extent,’ she said.

‘Controlling HIV infections and limiting damage to the immune system result in weight gain and improvement in general health, fewer opportunistic infections, less need for other medications and less time in hospital.

‘People were surprised when I fell pregnant without infecting the father and the baby. The treatment not only allows you to fulfill your dreams, but it lessens chances of infecting others. I had a healthy baby because of it,’ she said.

Simphiwe also said, those infected must not be shy to be on ARV treatment but take it with pride.

‘Taking treatment means you care about your life, that’s why it doesn’t make any sense that we hide that from people.

‘Take pride on the fact that you taking care of your life and do not worry about what others say,’ she said.

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