My name is Faisal kats I was born with HIV, meaning have lived with the virus all my life.
Have taken ARVs for 12 years.
Am not proud of it but have embraced the fact that this is something I will live with all my life.
Dear person living with HIV youโre not alone, wakeup from your sympathy zone and take care of your life.
The rate of HIV infection is becoming very alarming, and I want to share a true story to advise everyone to be careful.
Some years ago, when I was working in a hospital in Uganda, we had specific clinic days when people living with HIV would come to collect their drugs and receive counseling.
There was a particular girl who was HIV positive, but she hid her status from her boyfriend who was based abroad. This guy had been taking care of her financially while she was a student in Enugu.
In December, the guy came back to Uganda . Their relationship was serious, and he was even planning to do their introduction. As part of the marriage preparation, he suggested they both go for medical tests such as genotype, blood group, HIV screening, and other routine tests.
Each time he brought up the idea, the girl kept avoiding it.
One day, the guy insisted and took her to our hospital for the tests. When their results came out, the guy was HIV negative, but the girl was HIV positive.
We already knew the girl because she used to come for her medication, but of course, we could not disclose her status without proper counseling. She was called in for counseling, and she agreed that her fiancรฉ could be present.
When the result was explained, she acted surprised as if she did not know. The guy was shocked and said, โSo you knew all this and still kept quiet?โ He then mentioned that they had slept together two days before.
Immediately, we placed the guy on Post Exposure Prophylaxis, also known as PEP. This is emergency medication given within seventy two hours after possible exposure to HIV to reduce the risk of infection. Thankfully, he came early enough to start the treatment.
If you had seen that young man that day, you would understand. Even though his result was negative, he was sweating and shaking out of fear. He kept asking, โWhat did I do to deserve this?โ
We counseled and calmed him down. He was told to return after three months for another test. By the grace of God, he came back and tested negative again. He was advised to repeat the test at six months, and thankfully, he remained negative.
The reason I am sharing this story is to advise everyone to be careful.
Not every man or woman you see is safe to sleep with. Infections are real and everywhere. Protect yourself and be wise.
And if you are HIV positive, please be sincere with your partner. Keep taking your medications. With proper treatment, people living with HIV can live long and healthy lives, and medical guidance can help protect their partners as well.
Thank you for reading and happy Monday. If you have not followed me yet, please follow me for more real life stories, health awareness, and meaningful content.
Also, whoever gave Bobi Wine the concept of using the Uganda Flag for his campaign trail, cooked.
I watched the videos and the crowd was lit with those many flags flying in the air. I have seen that in American political campaigns and trust me itโs legit. Kudos to whoever came up with that idea.
VIDEO: Kasirye Gwanga on Bobi Wine's political journey: Kyagulanyi is a very smart man. They are messing with Kyagulanyi... He sizes you up, and he takes his time. If he doesn't mix with failed politicians, he will go a long way...
Chaos broke out during the burial of PFFโs Adios Denmark Bainomugisha in Kazindiro Village, Rukungiri District, when mourners interrupted a speech by Brian Akampurira on behalf of Minister Jim Muhwezi. They returned condolence money while chanting โFree Besigyeโ and singing โNever Surrender,โ before chasing Akampurira, who was rescued by the emcee. Order was later restored and speeches resumed.
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๐นJovita Kyarisiima