Pamela Lesuthu, 47, Kagiso - West Rand
Pamela Lesuthu has been living healthily on ARV's for almost six years. She likes to be in control of her medication and to do so she needs access to trustworthy information about it. She says the most important thing is to educate yourself about HIV and the ARV's you are taking. “Accept yourself, accept your status and live a normal healthy life. Don’t stigmatize yourself.” Pamela has been on ARVs since 2016 but she tested positive in 2011. She is TEE. She does not think she will change to dolutegravir because she is worried about the side effect of weight gain in women.
She says that most people don’t know which combination of pills they are on but through her work with TAC she has been educated about the different medications and is able to be more in control of what she gets from the clinic. In her opinion, it is important for everyone to know what ARVs they are on and to be in control of it.
On ARVs, her health has been on and off. She has gained weight even though she has been trying to exercise. When she started on treatment to she had a constant headache but that has now subsided and all the side effects are manageable.
Pamela said that there is still so much stigma it stops people from going to get their medication. She says the most important thing is to not self-stigmatise, there is already so much stigma that you should not put it on to yourself as well. It is really important to accept your status.
She says that she is lucky to have her family there for her. They did not judge her but supported her. Everyone needs a family that will support them instead of ostracising them. Some families make their relatives with HIV use different dishes or live in a separate shack in the garden.
Pamela Lesuthu has been living healthily on ARV's for almost six years. She likes to be in control of her medication and to do so she needs access to trustworthy information about it. She says the most important thing is to educate yourself about HIV and the ARV's you are taking. i
Pamela Lesuthu, 47, Kagiso - West Rand
Pamela has been on ARVs since 2016 but she tested positive in 2011. She is TEE. She does not think she will change to dolutegravir because she is worried about the side effect of weight gain in women.
She says that most people don’t know which combination of pills they are on but through her work with TAC she has been educated about the different medications and is able to be more in control of what she gets from the clinic. In her opinion, it is important for everyone to know what ARVs they are on and to be in control of it.
“Accept yourself, accept your status and live a normal healthy life. Don’t stigmatise yourself.”
On ARVs, her health has been on and off. She has gained weight even though she has been trying to exercise. When she started on treatment to she had a constant headache but that has now subsided and all the side effects are manageable.
Pamela said that there is still so much stigma it stops people from going to get their medication. She says the most important thing is to not self-stigmatise, there is already so much stigma that you should not put it on to yourself as well. It is really important to accept your status.
“It’s very important for people to get tested, know their status, and start their medication. They must adhere to their medication so that they can have their viral load suppressed and live a normal life like anybody who is on chronic medication.”
She says that she is lucky to have her family there for her. They did not judge her but supported her. Everyone needs a family that will support them instead of ostracising them. Some families make their relatives with HIV use different dishes or live in a separate shack in the garden.
“I’m virally suppressed, I’m undetectable. I’m good.”
Art tools in
your hand!
Add the website on your phone’s home screen to use the handy ART tools to help manage and track your treatment.