Dr Sindisiwe van Zyl sindivanzyl@gmail.com Pretoria HIV 102 Dr Sindisiwe van Zyl sindivanzyl@gmail.com Pretoria

Introduction

MAP OF THE WORLD © Copyright SASI Group (University of Sheffield) and Mark Newman (University of Michigan).

Worldwide HIV prevalence in adults aged 15 – 49 © Copyright SASI Group (University of Sheffield) and Mark Newman (University of Michigan). Map from worldwide mapper showing country size according to HIV prevalence

WHAT IS HIV? retrovirus and a lentivirus – slow progress The HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV) retrovirus and a lentivirus – slow progress uses the body’s own cells to make copies of itself attacks the body’s immune system causes AIDS – Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

BACK TO BASICS CD4 cells – most important cells in the body “army” HIV – targets CD4 cells, hijacks them and starts making copies of itself VIRAL LOAD – the number of HIV copies in your body ART antiretroviral therapy – combination of 3 or more ARVs taken to suppress the virus’ ability to make copies of itself

Undetectable equals Untransmittable

The Good News

Safer Conception for Couples Serodifferent couples One partner is HIV-negative Other partner is HIV-positive COUPLE CAN HAVE CONDOMLESS SEXUAL INTERCOURSE AND CONCEIVE NATURALLY

Safer pregnancy, labour, and delivery

UequalsU has changed everything! In the past … Women were not allowed to conceive Women had to deliver via C-section Women were not permitted to breastfeed UequalsU has changed everything!

Safer infant feeding Mom MUST be on antiretroviral treatment Her viral load MUST be undetectable Mom MUST exclusively breastfeed Six months to two years is the recommendation

Life expectancy on ARVs

More good news …

Newer drugs & less side-effects

Everyone must get tested!

QUESTIONS