Supporting Survivors of Violence (5)

For every girl or young woman sexually abused, there is always the risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.

Thankfully, there is post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) which is taken daily for 28 days, if one has possibly been exposed to HIV, such as through rape. One must begin to take PEP within the first 72 hours (3 days) and must be strictly used as instructed for it to work.

However, it is not guaranteed that PEP will work 100% of the time. Other factors such as not having access to facilities where PEP can be gotten within the recommended timeframe, as well as not knowing about PEP can contribute to a survivor contracting HIV.

Staying healthy with HIV can include starting and adhering to antiretroviral therapy, which are medications designed to reduce the amount of virus in the body, possibly to the extent where they are so low, the risk of transmission via sexual intercourse becomes is reduced.

It’s also important to keep healthy and fit through regular exercise, and balanced and healthy meals. Support from family, friends and loved ones also go a long way for people living with the virus.

We must end the stigma towards people living with HIV/AIDS. We are all humans who have the same rights, and we must all respect that.