290 HIV and AIDS
Living
Positively
with HIV
Infection
424
support groups
413
mental health
No one—neither modern medicine nor traditional healers—
has a cure for HIV. But most people with HIV can be healthy
for many years, especially with the right care and treatment.
During this time it can help to:
• make the best of every moment of your life.
• spend time with friends and family.
• try to keep active by doing your daily work.
• be sexual if you want to. Enjoying safe sexual touch can
help you stay healthier longer.
• use protection (condoms) when you have sexual
intercourse. This will protect you as well as your partner.
If your partner is HIV infected
If you practice safer sex carefully, the infected person can
avoid passing HIV to his or her partner. Condoms are the best
way to prevent HIV (see p. 189). Cover open skin wounds and
get treated promptly for STIs. And remember, there are other
ways to be sexual besides sexual intercourse (see page 190).
• try joining or starting a group of people with HIV and AIDS.
Some people with HIV and AIDS work together to educate
the community, to provide
home care to those
who are sick with
AIDS, and to
support the
rights of
people with
HIV and
AIDS.
• look after your spiritual and mental health. Your faith and
traditions can bring you hope and strength.
• think about the future. If you have children:
- spend time with them now, and give them care and
guidance.
- make arrangements for family members to look after
them when you are no longer able to do so.
- make a will. If you have some money, a house, or
property, try to make sure that they will go to those
you want to have them. Sometimes women who are not
legally married cannot leave their possessions to their
children and other family members. So it may be helpful
to get legally married in order to leave your possessions
to those you choose.
Where Women Have No Doctor 2012