How Does HIV Affect Business in South Africa?
What exactly is HIV?
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus, which infects and destroys immune system cells, making it difficult to fight off many diseases and several types of cancer that people with healthy immune systems can fight off more readily.
Is AIDS similar to HIV?
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a chronic, potentially life-threatening condition which is the last stage of HIV when it is left untreated.
How long does it take for HIV to progress to AIDS?
Untreated HIV usually progresses to AIDS in 8 to 10 years.
How does a person get infected with HIV?
A person can get infected with HIV through sexual contact, illicit injection drug use or sharing needles, contact with infected blood, or from mother to child during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
What are the stages of HIV?
2. Asymptomatic stage.
3. Symptomatic stage.
4. Late-stage HIV (AIDS).
What are the symptoms of HIV?
1. Fever
2. Fatigue
3. Swollen lymph nodes
4. Diarrhea
5. Weight loss
6. Oral yeast infection (thrush)
7. Shingles (herpes zoster)
8. Pneumonia
How does HIV affect business in South Africa?
HIV undermines South African businesses’ profitability by increasing production costs and diminishing the productivity and availability of South African workers.
How does HIV negatively impact on the South African economy?
The HIV pandemic reduces labour productivity, increases absenteeism, and increases employee retrenchment, all of which have a negative impact on South Africa’s economic growth.
Is there an HIV cure?
There is no cure for HIV, but drugs (antiviral treatments) can control the virus and prevent the disease development.
How can the spread of HIV be stopped?
1. Consider preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP)
2. Use a new condom every time you have sex.
3. Abstinence from unprotected sex
4. Use a clean needle.
5. Infected pregnant women must get medical care immediately.
