ARV’s are used by HIV positive people to slow down growth of the virus. Photo/ thevoicebw.com
People living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in Kisumu County have been urged to adhere to medication in order to avoid contacting opportunistic diseases.
HIV/AIDS counselor who doubles up as a doctor at the Kisumu’s Lumumba Hospital Joel Odondi said adhering to medication is among key practices of positive living.
Speaking to Hivisasa.com in Kisumu on Monday, Odondi said HIV positive people in the county should embrace Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs for a positive living and minimizing risk of getting new infections.“ARV’s should be taken on time and as prescribed by the doctor. All ARVs taken from hospitals by individuals should be put to good use. We have had cases of people who take drugs from hospitals and then decline to use them,” he saidHe urged members of the public living with HIV not to fear visiting hospitals for medication, saying hiding only makes the situation worse. ARVs are drugs taken by HIV positive people to slow down growth of the virus.Kisumu is among the top three counties leading in HIV prevalence in Kenya alongside Nairobi and Homabay.According to africaalive.co.ke Kisumu County contributed to 9.5% of the total number of people living with HIV in Kenya in 2015.By the end of 2015, the website says 144,303 people were living with HIV in the County with 22% being young people aged 15-24 years and 6% being children under the age of 15 years.