|
seunspice (m)
|
I had a chat with some colleagues last month and a few of them still found it hard believing AIDS exists or even if it does not in the proportions that is being reported especially in Nigeria and Africa. In my lifetime i have been acquainted with 5 cases of People 'living positively'. The first case was way back in Secondary school, she was a class mate and a fine girl, she had suitors everywhere, classmates, seniors, teachers et al. She died 5 years after being diagnosed in 1999 (her last 2 years was spent in confinement to her room). There were 2 cases in a church i used to attend (A couple, who both died,leaving 3 kids) and then a friend during my brief stint at Poly Ibadan. In her case she was gang raped.
I was at the hospital last saturday and while having fun with the pharmacist, there came this beautiful daughter of eve, i actually admired her to the extent that i could not keep my eyes off her. she spoke hausa to the Pharmacist, picked up her drugs and left, i was about asking for her identity when the guy told me she was living positively and just picked up her anti retro viral drugs. she has been positive for 2 years. She looked no different from other babes you would see on the street, Campuses, Offices and everywhere. When i was about driving out, i saw her with some guy. probably an intending suitor.
I have been unable to keep her face out of my mind since then.
Ever known anyone living with HIV/AIDS? lets share experiences.
|
|
|
|
|
|
almondjoy (f)
|
I had a chat with some colleagues last month and a few of them still found it hard believing AIDS exists or even if it does not in the proportions that is being reported especially in Nigeria and Africa. In my lifetime i have been acquainted with 5 cases of People 'living positively'. The first case was way back in Secondary school, she was a class mate and a fine girl, she had suitors everywhere, classmates, seniors, teachers et al. She died 5 years after being diagnosed in 1999 (her last 2 years was spent in confinement to her room). There were 2 cases in a church i used to attend (A couple, who both died,leaving 3 kids) and then a friend during my brief stint at Poly Ibadan. In her case she was gang raped.
I was at the hospital last saturday and while having fun with the pharmacist, there came this beautiful daughter of eve, i actually admired her to the extent that i could not keep my eyes off her. she spoke hausa to the Pharmacist, picked up her drugs and left, i was about asking for her identity when the guy told me she was living positively and just picked up her anti retro viral drugs. she has been positive for 2 years. She looked no different from other babes you would see on the street, Campuses, Offices and everywhere. When i was about driving out, i saw her with some guy. probably an intending suitor.
I have been unable to keep her face out of my mind since then.
Ever known anyone living with HIV/AIDS? lets share experiences. Yes. I had quite a few patients who died from AIDS and I have a friend currently living with AIDS here, in the same city, a Nigerian. Another is from another neighbouring African country, I have to assist with retro virals since she is an illegal. In the final days of AIDS, all look like AIDS victims when the disease has finally taken over the person. Living with HIV is different from living with end-stage AIDS when the retro virals do not work any more since multiple organs including the brain have been over-powered. It is sometimes not written on the forehead like you just observed. The best thing you can do is educate yourself on the nature of the disease, and give safe support to those who need it. It does not scare me at all having been around quite a few AIDS patients. Attended some of my patients' funerals too. Retro Virals are wonderful and hopefully there would be some form of cure for the dreadful disease. Also, I am glad that the drugs are becoming cheaper and more accessible to patients of different socio-economic strata. All you can do is support the victims without being judgemental. You never know how any individual contracted that disease. MOST were in monogamous relationships and just happened to be in "a new relationship"! Some by blood transfusions or contaminated needles. It is not only transmitted via sexual encounters. |
|
|
|
|
|
seunspice (m)
|
I am not really scared of people living with the disease, instead i feel pity for them and that is what i feel for the lady in question too, i feel more pity though for people who engage in unprotected sex with absolute strangers. I was once a peer educator on HIV AIDS, but seeing those in the agony of the scourge is a life changing experience. Its a replica of having a moment of solitude at the Mortuary.
|
|
|
|
|
|
almondjoy (f)
|
It may surprise you to know that more people in Underdeveloped countries contract the disease through every other means but sexual intercourse. When you do not have safe means of sterilizing equipment in hospital and dental facilities, you can only wonder about the state of healthcare in Nigeria especially. Had the displeasure of watching one of ma sisters-in-law who is a dentist, many years ago, working on one of the patients extracting a tooth. I was horrified at the carelessness with which she handled contaminated objects. Not to talk of the re-use of medical instruments and indequate personal protective devices for the medical staff.
|
|
|
|
|
|
babycool (f)
|
@ Almondjoy
Sis Abe? missed ya!
@ Poster
Yes Aids is real like the back of your palm, i have lost sveral people including two of my dear friends(lovely ladies)
Left their husbands behind and yes the virus is not contracted only during sexual intercourse that is why it is recommended that every individual should go for test at least once in 6 months.
|
|
|
|
|
|
almondjoy (f)
|
@ Almondjoy
Sis Abe? missed ya!
@ Poster
Yes Aids is real like the back of your palm, i have lost sveral people including two of my dear friends(lovely ladies)
Left their husbands behind and yes the virus is not contracted only during sexual intercourse that is why it is recommended that every individual should go for test at least once in 6 months.
Where have you been lovelycool?  Good to take a break once in a while jare. Love having you around, ma dear Agenegbode sis.  How is Abuja? Mo oooooooooooooooooooooooh! Yes, good advice you have there. Everyone should get an STD panel every year with routine annual physicals, married or not. |
|
|
|
|
|
seunspice (m)
|
i second that
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bolarge (m)
|
Come to UCH and see for yourself. They all end up here. . . then the basement.  |
|
|
|
|
|
seunspice (m)
|
Come to UCH and see for yourself. They all end up here. . . then the basement. i have been there severally, the cancer ward, the casualty but not the HIV ward. A visit to UCH would make one thank God for life and health, and make one very sober. It is always a sobering experience even when i just had to see a friend who put to bed at the maternity. |
|
|
|
|
|
ndubest (m)
|
currently in nigeria, ALL the Teaching Hospitals and Federal Medical Centres have the FREE HIV/AIDS programme
so you can visit the one nearest to you to see for yourself
even some of the Mission and General Hosptials in the states are providing the free services now courtesy of PEPFAR and GFTAM
|
|
|
|
|
|
ifyalways (f)
|
Yes, good advice you have there. Everyone should get an STD panel every year with routine annual physicals, married or not.
word ! been to an HIV ward and i tell you,its a very horrible sight.it makes one so very careful,hmmmmn no moment of madness or whatever is worth it.its good to pay a visit once in a while,keeps one on track . |
|
|
|
|
|
chii
|
I agree with u'all; going to those HIV wards will always put one in check.
I went to the research institute in yaba sometime ago for VCT.
The site was a truly sorry one. I felt their pains.
Plssssssss having unprotected sex is not worth it in any way.
|
|
|
|
|
|
almondjoy (f)
|
word !
been to an HIV ward and i tell you,its a very horrible sight.it makes one so very careful,hmmmmn no moment of madness or whatever is worth it.its good to pay a visit once in a while,keeps one on track .
Wait till you see them in the "end stages" as they take the last breath. Cannot even get out of bed! In this day and age, people are still sleeping around without protection?  Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! |
|
|
|
|
|
The Sly
|
Everyone should get an STD panel every year with routine annual physicals, married or not True!!! TopicNo. . . . .& i don't think i want to!!  |
|
|
|
|
|
![Nairaland [Nigerian Forum] Home](http://www.nairaland.com/Themes/default/images/english/home.gif)
Author
