Most of us are aware of the term HIV/AIDs especially with HIV/AIDS education being compulsory in most institutions and through social community based organizations. Over the years, managing and preventing the virus has become easier as there is more information on most platforms including social media educating people on the virus. Let us first get to understand more on how it works.

What is HIV/AIDs?

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It is the virus that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS, if not managed. Unlike some other viruses, the human body can’t get rid of HIV completely, even with treatment. HIV attacks the body’s immune system, specifically the CD4 cells (T cells), which help the immune system fight off infections. Untreated, HIV reduces the number of CD4 cells (T cells) in the body, making the person more likely to get other infections or infection-related cancers.

How and where can I get a HIV test?

Times are changing. Gone are the days when you had to visit a clinic so as to know your HIV status. You can now carry out the test yourself at the comfort of your home in an affordable, private and super convenient way. Self-examination only takes you a short period of time and you can rest assured of your status. If you may be having any concerns and require assistance, Besure.co.ke is the website for you as it has more info on how to take the test. The site also has other support websites and a list of private providers who can help you with the process. There’s also a LVCT Health hotline 1190 (mainly for youth).

I have done the test and the results came out positive.  What next step should I take?

Testing positive for HIV often leaves a person overwhelmed with questions and concerns. It’s important to remember that HIV is a manageable disease that can be treated with HIV medicines. The first step after testing positive is to see a health care provider, even if you don’t feel sick. People with HIV work closely with their health care providers to decide when to start HIV medicines and what HIV medicines to take.

To lower your risk of transmitting HIV,

• Take medicines to treat HIV (antiretroviral therapy or ART) the right way every day.
• Use condoms the right way every time you have sex. Learn the right ways to use a male condom and a female condom.
• If your partner is HIV-negative, encourage them to talk to their health care provider to see if taking daily medicine to prevent HIV (called pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP) is right for them.
• If you think your partner might have been recently exposed to HIV—for example, if the condom breaks during sex and you are not virally suppressed—they should talk to a health care provider right away (no later than 3 days) about taking medicines (called post-exposure prophylaxis, or PEP) to prevent getting HIV.
• Get tested and treated for STDs and encourage your partner to do the same.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle constituting of regular exercises, balanced diet and avoid alcohol and other drugs.

I have done the test and the results came out Negative.  What next step should I take?

A negative test result can be a sigh of relief. However, in some cases, negative result doesn’t necessarily mean that you don’t have HIV. That’s because of the window period—the time between when a person gets HIV and when a test can accurately detect it. The window period varies from person to person and is also different depending upon the type of HIV test.

Visit health care provider to learn more about the window period for the test you’re taking. If you’re using a home test, you can get that information from the materials included in the test’s package. If you get a HIV test within 3 months after a potential HIV exposure and the result is negative, get tested again in 3 more months to be sure. When the test comes out negative again, you can do more research on how to prevent yourself from contracting the virus.

There are ways to help you stay negative. Here are a few of them;

1. Condoms (For both males and females)
2. VMMC (voluntary male medical circumcision)
3. Seek out PMTCT services (prevention of mother to child transmission)

Remember, prevention is always better than cure. Visit our branches and get a self-testing kit.

Many people relate Movember to growing a beard famously known as ‘No Shave November’. Majority of the people do it for fun. Let us dig deep into what Movember really means.

Movember began in Australia in 2003 to raise awareness for prostate and testicular cancers, according to the Movember Foundation, a nonprofit that raised nearly $21 million in 2013.

Movember is an annual event involving the growing of moustaches during the month of November to raise awareness of men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s suicide. By encouraging men to get involved, Movember aims to increase early cancer detection, diagnosis and effective treatments, and ultimately reduce the number of preventable deaths.

To participate in Movember, simply grow out your facial hair every day during the month of November, start as many conversations about men’s health as you can, and raise awareness on men’s health.

The key drives for Movember include but are not limited to;

• Giving men the facts on key health issues
• Encouraging men to change lifestyle and behavior for the better
• Work in Creating services that work for men
• Bringing facts together from community and advocate for men

Many of the common diseases that men often suffer from are preventable. However, the only way we can prevent ourselves from developing disease and living a long, healthy life is by knowing the facts and knowing how to protect ourselves.

What are some of the common diseases in men?

1. Coronary Artery Disease – High cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes are some of the conditions that can lead to heart disease. Keep your cholesterol low, maintain a healthy weight and diet, get regular exercise, avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, keep your blood sugar under control, and if necessary, discuss options with your doctor regarding medications.
2. Cancer (Lung, Prostate, Colorectal and Testicular) – While cancers are not always preventable, early detection saves lives. Have routine preventive screenings, avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, maintain a healthy weight and diet, exercise regularly, limit sun exposure and use sunscreen, be aware of carcinogens, and know your family’s medical history.
3. Stroke – The leading risk factors for stroke include high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, carotid or other artery disease, atrial fibrillation or other heart disease, TIAs (mini-strokes), high red blood cell count, sickle cell anemia, high cholesterol, physical inactivity, obesity, excessive alcohol intake and some illegal drugs.
4. Diabetes – Type 2 Diabetes affects 90 percent of those with the disease. The best way to prevent or control the onset of diabetes is by knowing the risk factors that can be modified and those that can’t. Modifiable: Overweight and obesity, high blood glucose, high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels, physical inactivity, smoking. Non-modifiable: Age, race, gender, and family history.

While not all diseases, especially cancers, are preventable, early detection saves lives. Therefore, in addition to raising awareness for others, it’s important that all men celebrate Movember for themselves too. Even if you feel good, you should make regular visits to your doctor to screen for health issues, assess your risk of future health issues, stay up to date with vaccinations, and discuss how to maintain a healthy lifestyle. So go ahead and keep that beard on