Reflection: A better society for all begins with honest HIV conversations

In a recent episode of the #SafeLoveSafeLives campaign, Reclaiming the Silence: Young People and HIV Conversations, Youth Health Advocate Panashe Mhingwa joins The Dynamite (Panashe Moto). Together, they discuss the important role that communities play in HIV advocacy. They also explore why young people need to be more involved in HIV conversations. This is especially important because young people continue to be affected by HIV. 

Panashe also reflects on her journey as an HIV advocate. She talks about the importance of HIV status disclosure. She shares her experiences of stigma and discrimination. She then addresses common misconceptions about HIV. The conversation also explores romantic relationships and profiling. It also explores the role of religious institutions in raising awareness and supporting HIV education. 

Mhingwa broadly attributes the prevalence of HIV among young people to limited knowledge and ignorance, and I agree. This conversation made me reflect on these key themes: shame and stigma, why disclosure matters, challenging HIV myths, and the power of accurate information. 

Shame and Stigma 

I remember reading a comment on social media that left me feeling both shocked and concerned. It read, “I hope you die of AIDS, you whore.” The comment showed a complete lack of empathy. It also reflected the harmful beliefs that still surround HIV. 

Some people continue to view HIV as a curse, a punishment for promiscuity or a death sentence. However, as Mhingwa explains, HIV is not only transmitted through sex. There are several non-sexual ways that a person can acquire HIV. In some cases, such as transmission during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding, the person has no control over how they became infected. 

Even when HIV is transmitted through sex, judgment is never the answer. It does not help people get the care or support they need. Instead, it can lead to secrecy, discrimination and low self-esteem among people living with HIV. It may also cause people to isolate themselves or avoid seeking care. 

People living with HIV deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. They need care, support and understanding, not judgment. We must see them as whole people, not define them by their HIV status. 

Why disclosure matters 

When I met up with a friend after a long time apart, we caught up on each other's lives. She shared the painful experience of discovering that her former boyfriend was living with HIV. He had not told her his HIV status during their relationship, even though they had been having unprotected sex. 

Several tests revealed her status as negative, but this situation left her traumatized. Keeping an HIV status secret can have serious consequences. It may prevent a person from receiving support from friends and loved ones. It can also affect romantic partners and damage relationships. 

As we continue working to reduce HIV-related stigma, people living with HIV should feel supported to disclose their status to those they trust. This may include close friends, family members or romantic partners. Disclosure is a personal decision, but it can also help others make informed choices and access the support they need. 

Disclosure may not always lead to a positive response. However, it can encourage understanding, reduce stigma and support more open conversations about HIV. 

Challenging HIV myths 

During my internship at a teaching hospital in Nigeria, I often heard stories about HIV that stayed with me. Two of them stand out to this day. The first claimed that a house help deliberately infected her employer's son by using his toothbrush for a year. The second was about a fruit vendor who was said to have transmitted HIV to a customer after cutting himself while slicing watermelon. 

These stories reflect some of the myths and misconceptions that continue to surround HIV. HIV cannot be transmitted through saliva, which means the first story is not medically accurate. 

While the second story is not presented as an absolute impossibility, it shows how fear-based stories about HIV continue to spread. At the same time, many communities still do not receive enough accurate information about HIV. 

As Mhingwa explains, many myths about HIV still exist. Some people believe that people living with HIV are not suitable romantic partners. Others think HIV can only be transmitted through sex or that everyone living with HIV is always ill. These misconceptions continue to fuel stigma and discrimination. 

In reality, many people living with HIV lead healthy and fulfilling lives. With the right treatment and support, they can continue with their daily lives. This brings me to the next point. 

The power of accurate information 

Reducing shame, stigma and misconceptions can make a real difference. It can encourage people living with HIV to seek care, stay on treatment and access the support they need. It can also encourage more people to get tested for HIV. 

Open conversations about HIV status can also help couples make informed decisions together. They can discuss ways to protect each other's health, such as using condoms or taking Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). 

I encourage people to have honest conversations about HIV and other sexually transmitted infections before becoming sexually active. This applies to all types of relationships, whether casual, long-term or non-exclusive. If someone thinks they have been exposed to HIV, Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is available. The sooner it is started, the better it works. Support and care are available, and it is important that more people know about these services.