Together We Advance!

Transcription

1 Together We Advance! Understand Your Treatment Better

2 This publication was developed by a group of HIVpositive migrant women from their experiences, to inform others who have just learned about their HIV status. The brochure was created with the cooperation and proofreading of professionals in simple and understandable language. Together we Advance! has been co-created by a group of volunteer migrant women living with HIV, medical professionals, SidAids migrants / SIREAS association, LIBIKI asbl, Project Nyampinga, Clarice illustrations ( ), i-propeller and Oksigen Lab. This brochure can be used and reproduced for free under the Creative Commons licence BY-NC-SA. To order paper copies, download a version of this brochure or other visual tools and to learn more about the project: 2

3 1 - The virus and I "I ve just learned that I am HIV-positive (I have HIV). My doctor suggested that I start treatment." What is HIV? HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. virus What is AIDS? AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is a disease that attacks the immune system. What is the immune system? It is the defence system of the body. It prevents microbes (such as viruses or bacteria) from attacking my body. immune system 3

4 I have HIV, but I do not feel sick A person who has been infected with HIV may carry the virus for years without symptoms of the disease. They are HIV-positive (they can transmit the virus) even if they are not sick. Why should I seek treatment? To stay healthy. To reduce the amount of the virus contained in the blood: reduce the viral load. To strengthen my immune system: increase the CD4 count. CD CD4 D4 Reducing the viral load: decrease in the virus Increase in CD4 count: immune system strengthened HIV/AIDS can be treated, but cannot yet be cured. 4

5 2 - The treatment and I What is the purpose of my treatment? It prevents the virus from multiplying, and developing further. TreATmenT It prevents the virus from spreading in my body. STOP TreATmenT It prevents the virus from attacking other cells. TreATmenT It puts the virus to sleep. TreATmenT In short... to stay healthy! 5

6 What is the benefit for my health? The treatment will decrease the amount of virus in my body. reduce the viral load TreATmenT The treatment will strengthen and protect my body (my immune system). Increase the CD4 count CD4 TreATmenT How do I take my treatment? We all do not have the same treatment and we do not respond to treatment in the same way. The doctor will explain to me how and when to take it. It is very important to take all anti-hiv medication as prescribed by the doctor: at the right time and at the right dose. This will ensure there is always enough medication in my body to fight the HIV. 6

7 What happens if I do not take the medication as the doctor told me? If I do not take it correctly: The virus may wake up and become aggressive and resistant to treatment. The body may become further weakened. If I stop: The virus will become even more aggressive, dangerous and destructive. I may fall ill. Can I talk about anything with my doctor? Yes, the doctor and his/her team are there to support you, reassure you and answer all your questions. DOCTOr PSYCHOlOgIST DIeTICIAn gynaecologist SexOlOgIST nurse SOCIAl WOrker Welcome 7

8 3 - We talk about it... "At first I was revolted, angry, but I followed my treatment. Now, my viral load is undetectable and stable. I have hope."j., 62 "Little by little, by talking to others in the association, I have accepted my situation." G., 22 "I had no appetite, I lost weight, I did not like myself. Then I started taking care of myself and I now feel better in my body." D., 55 "I pay attention to my diet (less French fries, only a little oil), I eat lots of vegetables and drink plenty of water." P. 34 "At the beginning when I was HIV-positive, I was really disgusted by sexuality, because that's how I was contaminated. Then I met Pol (he is HIV-negative). We educated ourselves about the disease. We're good together! " M.-L, 40 "I learned that I was positive 25 years ago. I have confidence in the future! " S., 45 "I met my husband at the association. We were able to reconstruct our lives." M., 46 "Making a healthy child when living with HIV is possible. Solutions do exist! " M., 29 "I had side effects at first, and they have decreased." T., 23 "I went to see a psychologist, and was able to talk about the things I don t tell my family." V., 30 "I was able to live better through my early menopause at the age of 43 years with the support of my gynaecologist and my infectious disease specialist." D., 49 "To confront this tough fight, I play sports. This helps me. I walk with strength, which was not the case before." S., 38 8

9 4 - Tips and Tricks Prepare your treatment for the whole week in a pill organizer or weekly pill box and put it in a visible location (such as next to the m T W T F S S bed or near the coffee machine). Programme an alarm to sound on your mobile phone when it s time for your medication. Obtain your new prescriptions or the necessary documents (e.g. the right to treatment form for those receiving welfare benefits) in time to avoid interruption of treatment. Note down the appointments on a calendar or enter them in your phone with a reminder. Tell the doctor about any changes related to the use of the medication : side effects (fatigue, nausea, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, etc.) and any other difficulties (relating to community life, work, etc.). Follow the doctor s instructions (when to take medication, whether to take it with food, number of doses, number of capsules, etc.). Do not double the dose if you forget and avoid self-medication. Avoid storing the drugs in an improper container (such as a wallet or plastic bag). When traveling, take an adequate supply of medication and a letter from your doctor which justifies the need to transport medicines X day

10 5 - Be aware HIV is found! In the blood In semen (including the ejaculatory fluid before ejaculation) In vaginal secretions (including during menstruation) In the anal mucosa In breast milk. HIV is transmitted During unprotected vaginal, anal and/or oral sexual relations. sex Through contact with contaminated blood (transfusion, sharing of needles, sharp objects or using nonsterile injecting equipment). From an HIV-positive mother to her child during pregnancy in the absence of treatment for the mother, and during breastfeeding. HIV is not spread by Kissing, coughing, sneezing, saliva, or tears Handshakes or hugs Sharing of cutlery, plates, glasses, bed linen, toilets or bathrooms Insect bites. 10

11 6 - How can you protect yourself? Use a condom (male or female) whenever you have sexual intercourse to prevent other STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases). In case of condom failure with a partner who is HIV-negative, your partner should go to the emergency room within 72 hours, as he or she may benefit from a post-exposure treatment. If you have an undetectable viral load, talk to your doctor before stopping the use of condoms. 7 - Some useful addresses BrUSSelS SidAids migrants/sireas asbl Groupe «Mandela» Rue de la Peṕinie re, Brussels Tel 02/ Mobile 0471/ ASBl libiki Boulevard Leópold II, Brussels Tel 0484/ Mobile 0485/ louvain-la-neuve Project nyampinga Collectif des femmes, Rue de la Citronnelle, Louvain-la-Neuve Mobile 0498/ AnTWerP HIV-SAm Project Nationalestraat Antwerpen Tel 03/ Fax 03/ liège groupe de Parole - CHU lie ge Centre de Re feŕence SIDA - CHU Lie ge, Quai Godefroid Kurth, Lie ge Tel 04/ namur le SASer (Service de Sante Affective, Sexuelle et de Re duction des Risques) Rue Docteur Hai be, Namur Tel 081/ CHArlerOI SIDA-IST Charleroi-mons C/o Polyclinique CHU Charleroi Boulevard Joseph Il 6000 Charleroi Tel 071/ mons SIDA-IST Charleroi-mons Place Nervienne 33 (site CPAS) bloc Gleṕin 6-1 er étage 7000 Mons Tel 065/

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