Nelly Zulu, 58, Diepkloof (Soweto)
Nelly Zulu has been living healthily on ARVs for 21 years. She believes that the key to living with HIV is to stay on treatment. “I am 58 years old and have been living on medication for 21 years. My expectation is to live more than 20 years to come.” She found out her status in 1998 and started treatment two years later, in 2000. She had side effects from the ARVs because, when she started them, she was very sick. It took her a week to regain her health and for the last 21 years she has been taking ARVs without any side effects.
Nelly says that she is strong on her dolutegravir and, at 58 years old, she expects that she has at least another 20 years ahead of her, provided she stays on her ARVs.
When she first started taking ARVs she was very scared. She was thin and sick; and people were gossiping about her. As time went on and she saw her health improve, she started to feel strong, both physically and mentally, and was able to leave the fear and stigma behind.
Nelly has four children, born in 1987, 1997, 2000 and 2003. The last born child has been living a healthy life with HIV on ARVs for the last 18 years.
In her role as a counsellor, she acknowledges that her long term adherence and overall health after 21 years of taking ARVs can be inspiring to other people.
Nelly Zulu has been living healthily on ARVs for 21 years. She believes that the key to living with HIV is to stay on treatment. i
Nelly Zulu, 58, Diepkloof (Soweto)
Nelly works at Diepkloof Clinic in Soweto. Her role is to counsel people living with HIV and help them to stay on their ARVs.
She found out her status in 1998 and started treatment two years later, in 2000. She had side effects from the ARVs because, when she started them, she was very sick. It took her a week to regain her health and for the last 21 years she has been taking ARVs without any side effects.
“My immune system is very strong so I never get sick and I enjoy taking my treatment every night.”
Nelly says that she is strong on her dolutegravir and, at 58 years old, she expects that she has at least another 20 years ahead of her, provided she stays on her ARVs.
When she first started taking ARVs she was very scared. She was thin and sick; and people were gossiping about her. As time went on and she saw her health improve, she started to feel strong, both physically and mentally, and was able to leave the fear and stigma behind.
“People must take treatment and they will live a long life, and they will stay healthy.”
Nelly has four children, born in 1987, 1997, 2000 and 2003. The last born child has been living a healthy life with HIV on ARVs for the last 18 years.
In her role as a counsellor, she acknowledges that her long term adherence and overall health after 21 years of taking ARVs can be inspiring to other people.
“I am 58 years old and have been living on medication for 21 years. My expectation is to live more than 20 years to come.”
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