Dr Gail hosts radio show "Health Now"

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Dr Gail has teamed up with Radio Veritas, a 10 year old catholic station that has just launched on medium wave. You can catch the show "Health Now" every Wednesday at 7 pm  from 11 April hosted by Gail with a line up of guests each week. It's an inside look in the body and the mind, helping to make smart decisions about your general health. Radio Veritas is now on 576am , or channel 171 on DSTV, or audiostreaming. 

Does HIV determine whether you have a C/Section or Vaginal Delivery?
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PEOPLE WITH A CD4 OF 350 OR LESS CAN START ARVS AT ANY STATE CLINIC. 
August 12 2011

latest blog out now: Nutrition, Good Foods and Bad Foods. What should you be eating? 
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30 March 2012

February 2012 
Lesego Motsepe has stopped ARVs: announced on national TV. 

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 I must admit I did not see the show 3 Talk  (approx 9 Feb 2012). But I heard that she announced that she elected to stop her ARV treatment and is on no therapy currently except meditation and some natural foods/treatments. I am going to have a look and see if I can watch the show and get an accurate picture of what she said. But, my first reaction, if this is true, is horror. When a public figure has achieved fame, along with the priveleges of that fame come responsibilities. Lesego was on the show because she is a well known actress. She disclosed her HIV status publicly on 1 December, which I applauded. But, she is looked to as a role model for regular civilians, and she needs to take that responsibility very seriously. Standing up and making declarations about stopping ARV treatment have serious repercussions on how people feel about themselves, about their status and about their decisions whether to take treatment or not. We already know that in the era of Dr Beetroot Tshabalala Msimang and Thabo There-is-no-such-thing-as-HIV Mbeki that approximately half a million people died directly because of the delays and digging-in-heels of a government refusing to provide ARV treatment. Does Lesego want to take  the burden of more deaths and infections onto her shoulders along with the  privelege of fame she bears? See the poll below. Please give me your opinion. This is not a time for sitting on the fence. Lives are at stake, and maybe yours. 

optimism

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There is now a one-pill-once-a-day combination antiretroviral pill registered for use in South Africa. Ask your doctor whether it would benefit you. (Atripla or Tribuss)

Scientists have identified two antibodies which seem to stop HIV from attaching to and infecting T-cells, accelerating efforts toward a vaccine.

HIV is not a death sentence but a chronic illness that can be managed successfully with high quality care. In first-world countries life expectancy is 43 years after starting antiretroviral treatment. This is what we can and should be achieving in South Africa.

The iPrex (oral Truvada) and CAPRISA 004 (1% tenofovir microbicide gel) trials show the potential for anti-retrovirals to reduce the risk of contracting HIV, by 43.8% in men who have sex with men and 39% in heterosexual women respectively.
awareness

Starting antiretroviral therapy earlier is better than later. Current recommendations are CD4 less than 350 cells/mm3 AND/OR disease stage 3-4.

Mother-to-child transmission of HIV can be prevented with antiretroviral therapy in pregnancy which should be started as early as possible.

Safer conception techniques exist for couples living with HIV. Ask your doctor.


enlightenment

Health and living well is our section with evidence-based tips on pregnancy, nutrition, exercise, smoking, sex and disclosure. There are also personal stories from South Africans living with HIV.

thebody.com is an excellent American website dealing with American issues. South Africans deal with very different issues and different drugs and disease profiles. Therefore, a website with local perspective is essential.