Matungulu Sub-County residents on Wednesday benefited from a HIV awareness seminar which was held at Tala Township Primary School grounds.
Speaking during the seminar, Dr Boniface Mutiso, cautioned residents against stigmatising people living with HIV, saying it makes victims fear getting Antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) from health centres.
"HIV/Aids is a condition that can affect anyone and it does not mean that those infected are cursed or sinners. We should learn to accept the victims so that they can live without emotional stress and live longer," said Dr Mutiso.
The doctor advised residents to get tested and know their status to enable those who will test positive to start taking ARVs early.
He also warned youth against engaging in immoral behaviour such as drug abuse, that could lead them to engage in unprotected sex, or sharing of needles used during injection of drugs.
Dr Mutiso urged residents to be attending such seminars in a bid to equip themselves with knowledge about how to avoid contracting the disease.
He gave hope to those living with the virus saying there is still life after contracting the virus, if someone learns how to live with the condition by taking ARVs, eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly.