Expert Urges Caution and Responsibility in HIV Prevention
Written by Skyz Metro FM on January 16, 2025
16 January 2025
Effort Moyo
Retired nurse practitioner and health advisor Innocent Sibanda Mukoni has stressed the importance of responsible behavior in preventing the spread of HIV and re-infection among people living with the virus.
In an interview with SkyzMetro FM, Mukoni highlighted the need for caution, advising individuals to avoid promiscuity and practice safe behaviors to protect themselves. He emphasized that couples should undergo HIV testing before engaging in sexual relationships to help reduce viral load and minimize the risk of transmission.
“If you and your partner are HIV positive,you must follow certain procedures.Your viral load should be low,a state known as undetectable viral load or HIV viral suppression. It is essential to maintain this status for at least six months to one year before considering unprotected sex.I strongly advise that individuals undergo regular tests for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs),as having STIs increases the risk of HIV transmission. It is crucial to be STI-free and undergo testing annually.
Couples must avoid promiscuity and maintain a monogamous relationship.Having multiple partners increases the risk of HIV transmission.Some individuals mistakenly believe that younger partners are less likely to have HIV but this is a risky assumption.Those living with HIV must avoid engaging in unprotected sex, even with an HIV-positive partner.This is because there is a risk of reinfection if the partner’s viral load is still high”,said Mukoni.
Mukoni also raised concerns about the dangers of sharing injection needles among drug users, calling for increased education on the risks associated with such practices.
“Individuals who engage in drug use and share needles are at an extremely high risk of contracting and transmitting diseases. As long as there is an exchange of blood and bodily fluids,there is a significant likelihood of infecting others with diseases such as HIV and other infectious diseases.
Therefore,it is crucial that these individuals receive education and awareness about the dangers of sharing needles and the importance of using sterile equipment,” added Mukoni.
He further urged women living with HIV to plan their pregnancies, undergo testing before conception, and ensure that their newborns receive appropriate medication to prevent mother-to-child transmission.