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Preventing HIV After Rape
Laboratory Tests for HIV
Key Points about HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS Counselling
HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis (TB)
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

Preventing HIV After Rape

(Source: Preventing HIV After Rape - an informative booklet produced by the AIDS Law Project at the University of the Witwatersrand)

What are my rights?

• You have the right to be treated with respect and dignity at all times by doctors, nurses, police officers, prosecutors and social workers who help you after the rape.
• You have the right to be given full and accurate information about your health. Health workers must tell you about any medicines they can recommend to you, as well as the cost of these medicines.
• You have the right to emergency medical treatment if you are seriously injured even if you can't pay for it.
• Information about your health is confidential. No health care worker can tell others about your HIV status without your permission.
• You have the right to refuse treatment.

I am worried about being exposed to HIV after rape - What can I do?

There are anti-retroviral medicines that you can take that may reduce the risk of becoming infected with HIV.

You can take these medicines (anti-retrovirals) if you have been raped or forced to have anal sex:

• You have been told about how these medicines might stop you from being infected with HIV.
• You have been told about the possible side-effects of these medicines.
• You have had an HIV test and have tested negative.
• You have made your own choice to take these medicines.

How can I get these medicines?

• Go to a doctor as soon as you can and ask about anti-retroviral medicines that could reduce the risk of getting HIV. These medicines are called "post-exposure prophylaxis" or PEP. You must start taking the medicine as soon as possible. If more than 72 hours (3 days) have passed since you were raped, it is too late for these medicines to reduce the risk of getting HIV from rape.
• You should ask the doctor to give you an HIV test. Before taking an HIV test you must be counselled and receive information about what the test means. You should also get counselling after you have received the results of an HIV test.
• While you are waiting for the results of the HIV test, the doctor may give you the medicine so that you can start taking it immediately. This is called a starter pack.
• If you test HIV positive, the medicines that may reduce your risk of getting HIV from rape, will be stopped. Ask the doctor about things you can do to look after yourself when you have HIV. Find out about: organisations and people that can help you live positively and taking anti-retrovirals that will help you manage HIV.
• If you only get a starter pack, go back to the doctor to get the results of your HIV test. Also get the rest of the medicines if you are HIV negative. If you think it will be impossible for you to come back to the doctor to get the rest of the medicines, remember to ask the doctor for all the medicines in the beginning.
• If you test HIV negative, take the medicine for 28 days. Remember that the starter pack of 3 days' medicine will not protect you from HIV. You must take the full course for all 28 days or it will not work.
• These medicines are strong and may have side-effects like headaches, tiredness, skin rash, a running stomach, nausea and others. These side-effects are usually not serious and will not last long. If the side-effects are very unpleasant, go back to the doctor.
• Have another HIV test after six weeks, three months and again after six months after the rape. It is very important for you to find out the results of your HIV test so that you can know your HIV status. If you test HIV negative each time, it means that you did not contract HIV from the rape.

Where can I get these medicines?

You can get these medicines at state hospitals and some clinics for free. If the hospital cannot give them to you, call the AIDS Helpline (0800-012-322) and ask them where you can get these medicines. This is a free call.

You can also get these medicines at a chemist, but you will need a prescription and they may be expensive to buy. Many medical aid schemes now provide anti-retrovirals, so specifically ask about them.

Can Children Use These Medicines?

Yes. If you are over 14 you do not need your parent or guardian's permission to have an HIV test. You also do not need their permission to take these medicines. If you are younger than 14 years, one of your parents, or your guardian or the hospital superintendent will have to give consent. But there may be emergency situations where children under 14 have been raped and need urgent assistance. In these situations, doctors should be guided by the best interests of their patients and their duty to give emergency medical treatment.

There are other steps you can take to protect your health:

Ask the doctor for:

• Antibiotic medicines to stop you from getting a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STIs) from the rapist.

• The 'morning-after' pill to prevent you from becoming pregnant from the rape.

• Medicine that would prevent you from getting Hepatitis B from the rapist.

• If you are pregnant, find out about the possibility of HIV infection for your unborn baby from your doctor.

• If you become pregnant from the rape, you can also discuss the termination of the pregnancy with your doctor or a health care worker.

• If you are having sex, always use a condom. This is safer for you and your partner.

Rape is very traumatic. It is important that you talk to someone who can listen to you and support you after the rape. A counsellor can help you cope with your feelings.

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AIDS & HIV Charter

(Source: The AIDS Consortium)

In the light of: The existing discrimination against persons with AIDS or HIV and their partners, families and care-givers, the danger that the growth of the epidemic in South Africa will lead to an increase in unfair and irrational treatment of those affected by AIDS and HIV, the desirability of greater awareness and knowledge of AIDS and HIV among all South Africans, and the need for concerted action by all South Africans to stop the spread of HIV, this Charter sets out those basic rights which all citizens enjoy or should enjoy and which should not be denied to persons affected by HIV or AIDS, as well as certain duties.

Read the full document here...

Laboratory Tests for HIV

Professor Alan Smith - Head of Virology answers questions relating to HIV-testing:

HIV, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus like any other organism be it bacteria such as those causing cholera, typhoid or tuberculosis; or a parasite such as those causing malaria are all foreign to the human body and are recognised as such by our immune system. Any foreign substance, such as those given as examples above, are termed ANTIGENS because they act as a stimulus to the body to produce ANTIBODIES. Both of these entities are highly specific, that is to say, one type of antigen will cause the production of a specific antibody; for instance the antibody produced in response to the 'flu virus will be different from the antibody produced in response to hepatitis virus or the HI-virus. From the above it is easy to see that we do not have HIV antibodies if we have not been exposed to (had in our body) the HIV (antigen).

Read the full document here...

Key Points About HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS educational posters

(Source: Department of Health HIV/AIDS and STD Directorate)

AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is a disease that affects millions of South Africans. It is caused by a virus called HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) that slowly weakens a persons ability to fight off other diseases.

HIV is spread from one person to another :

• by having unprotected sex with an infected person
  
• through contact with infected blood
  
• from an infected mother to her unborn or newborn baby (but only some babies born to infected mothers become infected with HIV)

You cannot be infected with HIV in other ways. For example, if a person with HIV coughs, he or she cannot pass on the virus. If you hug or touch a person with HIV, you cannot get HIV.

Most people who are infected with HIV do not know they are infected, and you cannot tell if a person is infected just by looking at them. It takes many years for the signs of HIV infection to show up. This is usually when a person becomes ill from other diseases.

An HIV blood test can be done at some clinics, or by a doctor, or at an AIDS Training, Information and Counselling Centre (ATICC) in most cities. You cannot be forced to have an HIV test. It is your choice. The results are confidential and only told to you. Having the test will help you to better plan your future and to prevent the spread of HIV.

HIV infection can be prevented by:

• saying "No" to sex
• staying faithful to your sexual partner
  
• using a condom every time you have sex
  
• asking your healthworker about HIV risks when you are pregnant
  
• preventing direct contact with blood by using gloves, plastic bags or other barriers.

There is no cure for AIDS, but many people infected with HIV live long and healthy lives. They do this by taking care of their health, keeping fit, getting treatment when they are sick, eating correct foods, reducing stress and practising safer sex.

If you have any questions about HIV/AIDS, you can phone the free 24-hour AIDS Helpline on 0800-0123-22

HIV/AIDS Counselling

(Source: Department of Health HIV/AIDS and STD Directorate)

People who are HIV-positive may find it difficult to talk to their friends and family about their feelings. They also have many decisions to make about their life. Friends and family members may not know how to talk to those who are close to them who are HIV-positive. It is important that people who feel this way have a chance to talk about these feelings with an experienced counsellor. Counsellors are trained to listen and can provide accurate information to assist people with decisionmaking.

Anyone having an HIV/AIDS test should speak to a counsellor before the test, and should be able to discuss their test results with a counsellor. Counsellors can also offer ongoing support, information and advice to HIV-postiive people, their partners, friends and family.

There are many organisations that offer counselling face-to-face or over the telephone. Counselling is available from:

• AIDS Training, Information and Counselling Centres (ATICCs) in most big towns
  
• The free 24-hour AIDS Helpline at 0800-012-322
  
• Social workers and some community organisations

A counsellor:

• must treat what you tell them confidentially
  
• should provide a private place for you to talk
  
• should not judge you or your situation
  
• should be understanding and allow you to express your feelings
  
• should advise you of your options but not make decisions for you
  
• should give you information that will help you make informed decisions
  
• should be supportive
  

HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis (TB)

(Source: Department of Health HIV/AIDS and STD Directorate)

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease that usually affects the lungs and is passed on by coughing. Most people on TB treatment cannot infect others.

HIV is spread from one person to another:

• by having unprotected sex with an infected person
  
• through contact with infected blood
  
• from an infected mother to her unborn or newborn baby (but only some babies born to infected mothers become infected with HIV).

Because HIV/AIDS affects the bodys ability to fight disease

• people with HIV/AIDS can easily get TB, BUT
  
• not everyone with TB has HIV/AIDS, and not everyone with HIV/AIDS has TB.

A person who has TB may have the following symptoms:

• coughing for more than three weeks
  
• coughing up blood
  
• losing weight and appetite
  
• sweating at night
  
• feeling tired
  
• pain in the chest

If you think you have TB, you should go to a clinic immediately. You will be asked to cough up fluid (sputum) which will be tested to show if you have TB or not.

TB CAN BE CURED whether you have HIV or not. Pills must be taken regularly for at least six months. It is not always easy to remember to take pills for such a long time.

• To help people with TB in their treatment, the Department of Health is using a system called DOTS.
  
• DOTS is a system that encourages treatment supporters, such as co-workers or community members, to help people with TB to take their pills regularly.

Actions you can take include:

• helping people with TB by becoming a treatment supporter
  
• giving care and support to people who have TB and/or HIV/AIDS
  
• completing your treatment if you have TB

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDS)

(Developed for the Department of Health and STD Directorate)

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are diseases caused by germs that are passed from one person to another during sex.

STDs can be cured.

You may have an STD if you have one or more of the following symptoms:

• pus or smelly fluids coming out of the penis or vagina
  
• blisters, sores or warts on the penis or vagina
  
• pain or burning when urinating
  
• pain during sex
  
• pain in the lower abdomen
  
• unusual swelling near the penis or vagina
  
• itching on or near your genitals

If you think you have an STD, you should go to a doctor, clinic or hospital for treatment. STDs can be cured with pills. Sometimes an injection is given. If you have an STD, your healthworker will advise you to:

• finish the course of treatment that you are given
  
• advise your sexual partner(s) to go for treatment
  
• use condoms every time you have sex

Untreated STDs can result in serious illness and infertility. They also lead to easier infection with HIV. STDs cause sores and also weaken the skin of the penis or vagina, making it easier for HIV to enter the body. STD infection can also be passed on to an unborn or newborn baby by an infected mother.

If you have any questions about HIV/AIDS, you can phone the free 24-hour AIDS HelpLine at 0800 012 322.