HIV mother wants to speak out, but afraid

She has accepted the fact that she is HIV positive, and wants everyone else to do the same, but the fear of stigma and discrimination is keeping a 28-year-old woman from coming forward, and getting help for herself, and two of her five children who are also HIV positive.{{more}}

“People are talking, and I want the rumours to stop.” Says “Amy”, (not her real name).

“They don’t know for a fact and are just guessing and saying a lot of nasty things.”

The truth is that Amy was diagnosed HIV positive when she became pregnant with her fourth child “Ben” three years ago. And then one year ago, she became pregnant again and gave birth of her daughter “Mary”.

Amy said she became pregnant again because her boyfriend is in denial and at the time refused to use protection.

Despite the fact that Amy and her children are HIV Positive,their CD4 count (white blood cell level) is good and they show no symptoms of AIDS, therefore at this time there is no need for them to be on medication. CD4 count (white blood cell level) is good and they show no symptoms of AIDS, therefore at this time there is no need for them to be on medication.

Despite that, Amy would like to come forward and be accepted in society, without fear of scorn. She believes she and her children can live a normal social life without having to hide her medical condition.

She is uncertain as to if and how to reveal her status to friends and family, because she is not sure as to how to relay the news, and how they would react.

She is not alone in that respect.

Hundreds of persons infected by HIV are afraid to tell friends and family members, and are even unwilling to seek medical attention.

Because of this fear, they continue to live their lives as they always did, without changing things such as sexual habits and diet.

This is according to N’Zinga Sergeant, Programme Officer at the St. Vincent Planned Parenthood Association.

Sergeant said that the Association, along with the National AIDS Secretariat is equipped to help persons wishing to inform family members about their HIV positive status, as part of their counseling programme.

She, as had many local HIV/AIDS activists in the past, has made the call for persons to become more aware of the facts surrounding the disease, if the stigma and discrimination are to decrease, and in the process the disease’s spread.

She also urged persons who are aware of their status, to seek counseling and medical help as soon as possible.