The HIV epidemic emerged in South Africa around 1982.
HIV is a virus that can be transmitted through blood, sexual contact, and other bodily fluids. It has been around for decades but still continues to pose a threat to the world’s population. HIV is still a problem because it can be transmitted through bodily fluids and people are not always aware of their status.
HIV Statistics in South Africa
South Africa is one of the most affected countries in the world with HIV. The country has a high prevalence rate of 7.8% so around 7 in every 10 adults have HIV.
HIV statistics in South Africa:
· HIV rates have increased since 1990, with about 11 million people living with HIV/AIDS globally, and 1.6 million new infections occurring each year.
· In South Africa, it is estimated that around 7 out of 10 adults are living with HIV · In 2015, there were over 2 million people living with HIV in South Africa and over 6 000 people died from hiv-related illnesses.
How Do I Get Tested For HIV in South Africa?
There are three ways to test for HIV in South Africa: the rapid test, the antibody test, and the Western blot.
The rapid test is a one-step process that takes about 20 minutes. It is quick, easy and very accurate. The downside to this is that it only detects HIV antibodies in a person’s blood and not the virus itself. The antibody test takes about two hours and can detect HIV antibodies and HIV in a person’s blood sample. The downside to this is that it takes time for results to come back from labs around the world. This can take up to three weeks, so you cannot know your results until then. Finally, there is the Western Blot which can take up to five days depending on how quickly labs around the world respond with their results.
If you have been sexually active with multiple partners or if you have had unprotected sex with an infected person or if you use needles or any other sharp objects (including tattoo needles).
