A call was made last Wednesday for persons living with HIV in Guyana to take extra measures to protect themselves from contracting COVID-19.
This call was made by the director at the National Aids Programme Secretariat (NAPS) Dr Rhonda Moore, who stated that persons living with HIV are at an increased risk of developing the most severe form of the virus or even dying if they are to contract the virus. Dr Moore noted that this may be the case for persons who are not on treatment or those who are not virally suppressed.
Moore explained that the HIV attacks the immune system, making it difficult for those living with it to fight off any infection which includes COVID-19 and, therefore, contracting the virus may lead to persons needing hospital care and in most cases intensive care. She also mentioned that persons who are virally suppressed are those persons who have been using their treatments and as a result the virus is under control, which means that their immune systems can fight other infections.
Dr Moore urged persons living with HIV to stay at home unless it’s absolutely necessary for them to venture outside, to practice COVID-19 precautionary measures put in place by the health authorities and to ensure they eat as healthy as possible. She informed that the NAPS food bank is prepared to work with the treatment facilities to provide those who need additional support with hampers.
Persons who are not using any treatment for the HIV condition are urged to call NAPS hotline at 227-8683 extension 215 to be directed to treatment sites in their areas.
The human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) are two species of Lentivirus that infect humans. Over time they cause Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), a condition in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive.
