The president, Forum of Nigerian Women in Politics (FONWIP), Hon. Florence Gbinigie, has called on everyone living in the state to know their Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) status by going for testing. She said that with proper medical care, HIV could be prevented from degenerating into Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, AIDS. Hon. Gbinigie made the call during the National HIV Testing Day held in Benin City, with the theme, “Take the test and take the next step,” recently.
According to Hon. Gbinigie who was represented by Adodo Joy, the Executive Director of Foundation Builders, “This year’s event is not only to highlight the power and importance of HIV testing, it is to give them the information to make decisions that will keep themselves and their partners healthy regardless of the test results, but also to know the steps everyone can take once they know their HIV status.”
HIV is a virus known as ” Human Immunodeficiency Virus” which attacks the body’s immune system and if not treated can degenerate into AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). Currently, there’s no cure for AIDS, as once HIV is acquired, it stays in the body system for life. But with proper medical care HIV can be controlled so it doesn’t degenerate into AIDS just as the people who get effective HIV treatment can live healthy lives and protect their partners.
“Some believed that HIV might have infected humans from a type of chimpanzee in Central Africa as far back as in the 1800s when there was blood contact with an infected chimpanzee. Over decades, HIV slowly spread across Africa and later into other parts of the world. The virus has existed in the United States since at least the mid to late 1970s.
“The symptom could appear flu-like and occurs within 2 to 4 weeks after infection, which may last for a few days or several weeks, but not all flu-like symptoms can be HIV. However, some people may have no symptoms at all. The only way to know if you have HIV is to get tested. Hence this event is being organized today, to get you tested. A high viral load of HIV in the body, leads to badly damaged immune systems, AIDS, which leads to opportunistic infections or other serious illnesses such as Tuberculosis (TB).
“Whatever your result turns out to be after testing, note that HIV is not a killer if you get the right medical attention and live right. Do not spread it if you have it, always take precautions. Avoid blood or fluid contact and always use protection. For instance, use condoms when having sex and avoid deep kisses. Do not use the same razor, needles, syringes or any sharp object with anyone, especially when you go to cut or fix hair and nails in the salon, or do tattoos, tribal marks on your body or circumcision.
” Stop the use of illicit drugs and abuse of drugs generally as it can lead you to indulging in immoral practices that can make you get HIV. Please note that you can still associate with an HIV positive person, eat, sleep, play, live in the same house/room, etc without contracting the virus. The only way to get it is through blood or semen (fluid) contact. Most importantly, do not stigmatize someone with HIV/AIDS as there’s an existing law to punish any offender, irrespective of your relationship,” she added.
In his closing remarks, Onome Otueroro of Christabel Otueroro Foundation who advised on the need for testing commended Hon Florence Gbinigie for supporting the project financially and CiSHAN for providing the test kits used for the exercise.
