Lungile Khumalo highlights all you need to know about reinfection if you are HIV positive.
A year after being diagnosed with HIV, as well as following a strict antiretroviral (ARV) regimen and healthy lifestyle, Pumi regained her confidence. She was no longer wallowing in self- pity over why she was infected, and ready to move on with her life. Along came Trevor, and they hit it off immediately. Not only did they have a lot in common, but they were also both HIV positive and on ARVs. This was an unexpected relief – they both understood what the other had been through, and could offer emotional support. And because they were both positive, they thought there was no need to protect each other from the virus. But, they were wrong! This is because it is still possible for an HIV-positive person to infect another HIV-positive person. This is called reinfection, and we unpack 10 things you need to know about it.
WHAT IS IT?
Reinfection is when someone who is already infected with HIV becomes infected again with another strain of the virus. This is according to Dr Steven Miller, a specialist in HIV medicine, based in Johannesburg. “Sometimes, this is referred to as superinfection. While there have been many reports of cases of reinfection, this is probably a rare event,” Dr Steven says. The signs and symptoms of reinfection are the same as first-time infection. Within 10 days to 4 weeks of being reinfected, you could experience flu-like symptoms, which include night sweats, fevers, rashes and chills. But, you could feel well again within a few weeks. “In the majority of cases, you remain well and unaware that you have been reinfected,” he explains.
HOW WILL I KNOW?
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