HIV/AIDS is a serious disease that affects millions of Nigerians. People who are infected with HIV need care and support from their friends, families, and the community, especially when they are ill. Friends and family members sometimes worry that they might be infected when caring for a person with HIV by touching, hugging, coughing, or sharing eating utensils cannot pass on HIV. It is possible for people who are infected with HIV to live long, healthy lives. You can help those who are infected by:
- Showing love, respect, and support.
- Knowing the facts about HIV/AIDS and talking openly about the disease.
- Helping to reduce stress and stressful situations.
- Helping to provide balanced and nutritious meals.
- Package a tour for them by taking them to tourist attraction sites, beaches, and vacations, which will help them to feel among people.
- Encourage them to take anti-retroviral drug therapy and to get treatment if they are sick. Most infections are easily treated and cured, even if a person is HIV positive.
- There may be situations where you need to clean up body fluids or blood from someone infected with HIV. It is important to use rubber or plastic gloves or other barriers such as plastic bags or thick cloth to prevent direct contact. Make sure that you have these easily available at all times
ADVICE TO PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS (PLWH/A)
AIDS is a disease that affects millions of Nigerians. A virus called HIV that slowly weakens a person’s ability to fight off other diseases causes it. If you are infected with HIV you can still live a normal, healthy life for many years by observing the following:
- Eat nourishing foods, have enough rest, and share information about their HIV status with their spouses and those they trust.
- Seek counselling about pregnancy because of mother-to-child transmission.
- Being positive about life.
- Getting support from those around you
- They should avoid passing the infection to others by practicing safer sex and protecting themselves from other STDs.
