Get tested today. As a country, we are targeting 90% of people to be tested, 90% of people on ARVs (anti-retro viral drugs) and 90% of people to be virally undetectable by 2020.
Testing can be done at your doctor or with a self test kit, available commercially, for use at home. The finger prick test gives you an immediate result. If positive, then you should visit a healthcare provider to perform a confirmatory second test.
If you are HIV positive, then ARVs need to be started immediately. These days we have newer, better and super potent ARVs available that can be taken as a single drug once a day.
Safe sex should be practiced to decrease transmission of virus. Condom use should be encouraged.
Don't depend on your partner to protect yourself from contracting HIV if you’re HIV negative. You can access PREP and ensure you remain HIV negative especially in high risk behaviour, when your partners' status is unknown. Avoid the erratic use of condoms.
Circumcisions decrease your chances of getting HIV by 60%. This can be done for free at certain facilities.
All HIV positive women need to have pap smears done annually and in so doing you can prevent yourself from developing cancer of the cervix.
Ensure you make six monthly or annual visits to your doctor or clinic with additional blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol tests together with weight and stress monitoring as well as exercise.
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