Izwi - Cato Manor Community Newspaper

HIV/AIDS - THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES

NEVIRAPINE -
Good news for pregnant mothers

When apartheid ended, we all thought it was the end of the struggle. But since then a new struggle has emerged - the struggle against HIV/AIDS.
It has been a struggle to give Nevirapine to women in Cato Manor.
At Cato Manor Clinic, Nevirapine has been offered to pregnant women since March 2000. Because the government had not yet registered Nevirapine for use by the general public, the staff was not allowed to give it freely to anyone. Because of this, only women linked to research were allowed access to the drug. This was very unfair, and much effort went into trying to reverse this decision. Nevirapine was therefore supplied by an international funder.
In July 2001 Nevirapine was finally registered for use by any HIV infected pregnant woman. This was wonderful news, though the international funders are happy to continue to supply Nevirapine. Now any pregnant woman who is HIV infected is able to receive Nevirapine and this will reduce the risk of her baby contracting the virus.
We hope that the government will soon take over the responsibility of providing Nevirapine for HIV-positive pregnant women at all clinics.
In order to receive the drug, women are asked to take an HIV test after being counselled. If they are found to be HIV infected they are given Nevirapine. This Nevirapine is to be taken when the woman is in labour. The baby should also receive a dose as soon after birth as possible. Women can get this dose at King Edward Hospital or at the clinic.

A new world of hope
A new Counsellor who has recently joined the Team says this:
Knowing about Nevirapine has opened a new world to me - a world of hope and health. Myths about Nevirapine that I had in the past have been cleared. All that I knew about Nevirapine was that it destroys the liver. Now I know that this is not true.
After good counselling, pregnant mothers are given a chance to test for HIV. Almost 80% of mothers who test positive decide to take the Nevirapine after they are given the advantages and disadvantages of Nevirapine and confidentiality is ensured. Many women agree to give their babies Nevirapine after the baby’s birth. They are also advised on how to feed their babies, that is either exclusive breastfeeding, or exclusive formula feeding if they can afford it. Mixed feeding is discouraged as it increases the risk of HIV transmission to the baby.
It is unclear at this stage how the community views Nevirapine as mothers are still afraid to disclose their status. They fear being an outcast in their community and their family. The reality is that almost half of Cato Manor’s population is infected with HIV.
I appeal to every member of the community to love and help people affected by this illness – we need to remember that God loves us all!

Changing attitudes
A nursing sister tells how Nevirapine has changed women’s attitudes to testing.
"We want to give God the glory for the change we see in the women’s attitudes towards HIV testing. During our counselling sessions we had some mums who refused to have the HIV test. Since then our mums have been informed about what nevirapine can do for their babies, and their attitudes have changed. Instead of refusing the test, they sometimes go home and think about it and often consent to testing on their next visit.
This response shows that mothers now have a positive attitude to life and good health for their babies in the form of Nevirapine. They realise that Nevirapine is part of the solution for now!
And who knows, God may have more answers for us in the future"

A counsellor says....
My initial thoughts and feelings about nevirapine were - well, here’s some hope for our future generation, but at the same time I had some doubts about the acceptance by the people and its availability for the larger community.

THE REAL EXPERIENCE!
My experience over the past month is that the majority of clients I have seen at Cato Manor's Clinic welcome Nevirapine and are hopeful that the virus will not be transmitted to their babies. However a smaller number of these women feel that because it is not going to help them, that it is not a good idea to take the Nevirapine.

THE REAL DIFFICULTIES!
A real problem is that some clients are reluctant to test in order to benefit from Nevirapine. Some people DO test, but they are too frightened to come back for their results, or go to other hospitals to be re-tested. It is difficult to really help women like this. The other difficulty is that Nevirapine is not available at all clinics and hospitals yet

WHAT ABOUT THE WOMEN?
The amazing thing is that some women bring their partners with them for testing. This is such a positive attitude and it shows that the community is becoming more aware that the HIV pandemic is not just one man’s problem. I feel that if women’s partners get involved from the testing phase, they will be supportive and the pregnant mother will be less stressed.

Voluntary Counselling
and Testing

Live Better, Live Longer with VCT!

What is VCT?
VCT stands for Voluntary Counselling and Testing. This is when a person chooses to undergo HIV\AIDS counselling so that he/she can make an informed decision whether to be tested for HIV.

The benefits of VCT

It encourages individuals to be pro-active about their health.
It promotes strategies to cope with stress.
It allows for earlier access to treatment of opportunistic infections.
It provides emotional support to cope with HIV related anxiety.
It gives an opportunity to correct misinformation and provide relevant information.
t facilitates access to prevention of mother to child transmission interventions.
It links people to community resources.
It contributes to destigmatisation of HIV/AIDS testing and provides an opportunity to encourage the prevention of HIV transmission.
It can provide information about preventative therapies.
It encourages future planning.
It encourages positive living.

BE WISE - KNOW YOUR STATUS

Contact your Provincial Department of Health at (033) 394 0270 to find out where your nearest VCT site is.
Phone your local provincial hospital and ask for the CDC Clinic or the HIV\AIDS Unit to find out about HIV counselling and testing services and how to get yourself or your child referred to an HIV clinic.
Lifeline Durban - (031) 312 2323
NAPWA (National Association of people living with HIV\AIDS)
(031) 300 3914
Ekuphileni Clinic

Infections that may occur in HIV-infected people:
TUBERCULOSIS (TB). Treatment is highly effective but has to be taken for six months to ensure complete recovery.
PNEUMOCYSTIS CARINI PNEUMONIA (PCP). This is a life-threatening lung disease. Symptoms include dry cough and difficulty in breathing. PCP an be prevented by taking catrimoxazole
TOXOPLASMOSIS. It affects the brain, infects lungs and eyes and can cause a coma. It is treated with a six week course of drugs or prevented by catrimoxazole.
CRYTOCOCCAL MENINGITIS. An infection of the brain and spinal cord, which is caused by a fungus which is breathed in. Can be treated with fluconazole and patients remain on it for life.
ORAL CONDIDIASIS (THRUSH). It appears in the mouth and throat . It can cause sore throat, pain when swallowing, nausea and loss of appetite. It is treated with a mouth wash or lozenges.

How AIDS progresses

STAGE ONE
There are no symptoms.

STAGE TWO
The immune system starts showing signs that it is not function properly. You should watch weight loss, minor skin problems, shingles and recurrence of head colds.

STAGE THREE
Weight loss tends to be more profound. There is chronic diarrhoea and fevers. Should start taking catrimoxazole. The other problems are thrush, TB and vaginal infection.

STAGE FOUR
HIV-positive people are usually not well enough to work or care for themselves at this stage. Their problems include weight loss, severe lung infections, PCP pneumonia, brain infections and cancer. It is vital to continue taking catrimoxazole.
(Information provided by the Treatment Action Group)