- HIV infects CD4 white blood cells. Our brains have such cells too. When HIV gets to someone’s brain it causes inflammation and may lead to confusion.
- But antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) can change that. The pills stop HIV from making copies of itself, so it reduces the amount of virus in someone’s body — mostly to such low levels that it becomes scientifically impossible to infect others.
- ARVs, however, have to be taken for the rest of an infected person’s life, and that often leads to anxiety and depression. That’s why South Africa’s HIV plan says nurses should be allowed to prescribe antidepressants (and not just doctors) so that it becomes easier to get.
- In this Health Beat episode, we visit Yvette Raphael, who has been taking ARVs for 23 years. We also speak to a psychiatrist, counsellor and HIV doctor to find out what’s the best way to cope with difficulties that come with having to take meds for the rest of your life.
Mia Malan is the founder and editor-in-chief of Bhekisisa. She has worked in newsrooms in Johannesburg, Nairobi and Washington, DC, winning more than 30 awards for her radio, print and television work.
Mohale Moloi worked at Bhekisisa as a television producer and health journalist from July 2021 to March 2024.
Jessica Pitchford is Bhekisisa's TV and multimedia editor. She's been a journalist since the early nineties and has reported on some pivotal events in South Africa’s political history, such as the country’s transition to democracy and the work of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission.
