Frequently asked questions

HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.
H— Human: because this virus can only infect human beings.
I— Immuno-deficiency: because the effect of the virus is to create a deficiency, starburst slots or a failure to work properly, within the body’s immune system.
V— Virus: because this organism is a virus, which means one of its characteristics is, it is incapable of reproducing by itself. It reproduces by taking over the machinery of the human cell.

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A— Acquired: because it is a condition one must acquire or get infected with; not something transmitted through the genes.
I— Immune: because it affects the body’s immune system, the part of the body which usually works to fight off germs such as bacteria and viruses.
D— Deficiency: because it makes the immune system deficient (makes it not work properly)
S— Syndrome: because someone with AIDS may experience a wide range of different diseases and opportunistic infections.

The common ways to get infected with HIV are:
Having sex (anal, vaginal, or oral) with a person who has HIV.
Sharing sharp objects such as needles, and shaving sticks with someone who has HIV.
Women with HIV can pass it to their babies before or during birth, and through breastfeeding.

When used consistently and correctly, they’re very good at stopping the spread of HIV during sex. But condom use can’t give you perfect protection.
If either partner is allergic to latex, try plastic (polyurethane) condoms. You can get them for both men and women.
The surest way of avoiding HIV acquisition is to avoid sex or a long-term relationship with a partner who tested negative, being an exclusive partner.

Yes, it’s possible — whether you’re giving or getting oral sex. While no one knows exactly how risky it is, evidence suggests it has less of a risk than unprotected anal or vaginal sex.
You should use protection for oral sex, too: A latex condom on a man, and a latex barrier between a woman’s vagina and her partner’s mouth. This barrier could be a natural rubber latex sheet, a dental dam, or a cut-open condom that makes a square.

Anal sex without a condom is a highly risky behaviour. Either sex partner can become infected with HIV.

Many people who have HIV don’t have any symptoms at all for many years. The only way to know if you’re infected is to get tested.
Don’t wait for symptoms to show up. If you find out you’re infected soon after it happens, you’ll have more options for treatment and care to help prevent you from getting sick.
There are no specific symptoms that can tell you for sure that one is infected with HIV. However, depending on the severity of some infections one can be suspicious and go in for a test.

Novel Coronavirus, the virus that is responsible for COVID-19 is from a large family of viruses that are known to cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

A novel Coronavirus is a new strain of virus from the Corona family that has not been previously identified in humans.

Common symptoms could include
• Respiratory symptoms
• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath, and
• Breathing difficulties

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In more severe cases, an infection can cause
• Pneumonia
• Severe acute respiratory syndrome
• Kidney failure and even death.

Yes, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 can be transmitted from person to person. This happens usually after close contact with an infected patient, for example, amongst people living in the same household or those who are close to each other in the workplace, health care centre, or for that matter any enclosed environment. The virus can move from human to human through close contact such as coughing, sneezing, and laughing directly at someone. It can also spread when hands carrying the virus are not properly washed.

For every new viral disease, there is never an immediate vaccine. However, especially, when this virus spreads quickly such as the case has been with this version of the coronavirus, a vaccine is quickly developed. Although, routinely, it can take several years for a new vaccine to be developed, in cases where one is needed as an extra form of combating the spread, the development is fast-tracked. This has been the case with the novel coronavirus, the cause of COVID-19.

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Currently, two vaccinations have been approved by the Food and Drug Authorities of the USA and some European countries for vaccines that have been developed by Pfizer and Modern Pharmaceuticals. A few more are in the pipeline and are still undergoing various stages of clinical trials.
These vaccines are unfortunately not readily available for many.

There is no specific treatment for COVID-19. However, symptoms of the condition can be treated and managed. Therefore, any treatment will be based on the patient’s clinical condition. There are however some anti-viral medications that seem promising in managing the condition. However, these have not yet been confirmed as COVID-19-specific treatment regimens. Other treatment technologies such as the use of antibodies derived from those who have been cured of COVID-19 are used to treat those with the infection. More research and studies on more effective treatment are ongoing.

Standard recommendations to reduce exposure to and transmission of the novel coronavirus include the following:
  • Maintain a physical distance always at work, church, school, home and everywhere else. This means one should maintain a distance of 2 meters (6 feet) from a healthy non-household person.
  • Regularly wash hands with soap under running water for at least 20 seconds each time.
  • Use alcohol-based sanitizer regularly when hands have come in contact with potentially infected surfaces.
  • Frequently clean and disinfect open surfaces as well as door knobs and handles.
  • Wear a face mask, covering your nose and mouth before stepping out.
  • Eat more fruits and frequently drink water.
  • Avoid physical contact with persons exhibiting any of the symptoms mentioned above and or in contact with anyone who knows they have come in contact with anyone with the symptoms.