ARV's in our lives[swiss].indd - Treatment Action Campaign

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It is important to remember that throughout all these stages, our immune system still tries to fight.
But at some point, it starts to feel defeated and can’t fight hard enough anymore. When you start
getting Stage 4 illnesses, it is a sign that your immune system has given up and the virus has taken
over. Your clinic must refer you to a place where you can have the choice to take ARV treatment.
Although there is no absolute link between stage of HIV and CD4 count, usaully the more advanced the
stage the lower the CD4. Your CD4 count shows the level of risk that you might get certain infections
and is used as a measure to decide when it is best to start ARV treatment. When it is below 200, it
is recommended to consider starting ARV treatment.
Don’t wait till you are ill and your CD4 becomes low to start learning about the options you have to
improve your health.
Opportunistic infections
‘My name is Phumzile Neville Nywagi and I am 40 years of age. In 2001, I
became sick and had swollen glands in my neck. I thought it was just a bad flu
that would not go away. I went to a day hospital and was examined by a doctor.
He asked me if I knew about HIV and if I wanted to have an HIV test. I decided
not to go for an HIV test.
Later I told my neighbour Mandla, who was a TAC member, about my illness.
He also advised me to agree to an HIV test, but I was sceptical and afraid of a
positive test result. After some time my illness became worse and I was unable
to walk. My sister helped me with eating and keeping clean. At this stage I agreed to an HIV test. Because
I had night sweats, coughing, and had lost weight and my appetite for food, I also had a TB test. I tested
positive for both TB and HIV and was later diagnosed with cryptococcal meningitis (crypto). I was treated
for TB for six months, and continued taking Fluconazole to prevent the ‘crypto’ from coming back. But then
I was anxious to start ARVs because I heard that they would keep me alive!
I started the ARV program on 12 November 2001. Soon after starting ARVs, I was able to walk and could once
again cook, clean, and enjoy home life. My viral load dropped after three months to 215 and later became
undetectable (less than 50 copies).
I started to learn more about ARVs through attending the ARV support groups.I’ve recovered and do field
work now. I was trained by the TAC to be an educator. Professionally, I have a teacher's diploma, and I’m
using it now to educate people about ARVs. I share my experiences of sickness, health and hope with my
friends, family, and community at large. I also promote VCT.
I think it is important as a man living with HIV/AIDS to do this work. It should not just be women. I would love
to not see people dying. That’s why I’m an educator. I educate people about treatment literacy and treatment
advocacy. My life has changed.
My ex-wife and my children give me lots of support. I must take my tablets on a 12-hour cycle. I do it at 9 in
the morning, 9 in the evening. Some people take them at 10 or 8. So, up to now, I’m very much committed
to my schedule. My lifestyle has changed. Like sexual practices. At the moment I’m not involved. But it’s
important to know what you should do and what you should not, and what can damage your health – like