HIV
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a retrovirus that attacks the body's immune system, specifically targeting CD4 cells (T cells), which help the immune system fight off infections. If left untreated, HIV reduces the number of CD4 cells in the body, making the person more likely to get infections or infection-related cancers. The virus is transmitted through contact with certain body fluids from a person who has HIV, most commonly during unprotected sex or through sharing injection drug equipment. HIV can also be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding. Over time, HIV can destroy so many CD4 cells that the body cannot fight off infections and disease, leading to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), the most severe phase of HIV infection. Symptoms of HIV vary depending on the stage of infection, with early-stage symptoms including fever, headache and rash, whilst later stages may involve weight loss, chronic diarrhoea and opportunistic infections. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) can control the virus, allowing people with HIV to live long and healthy lives whilst also preventing transmission to others. Sub-Saharan Africa bears the highest burden of HIV globally, with millions of people living with the virus and significant public-health and economic impacts. Prevention strategies include condom use, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), voluntary medical male circumcision and harm reduction programmes for people who inject drugs. The virus was first identified in the early 1980s and has since become one of the world's most significant public-health challenges, prompting extensive research, treatment programmes and advocacy efforts.
HIV Updates
HIV in South Africa: why rolling out a groundbreaking new shot will miss a critical group of men
1st June 2026 The first shipment of Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable that prevents HIV with two shots a year, arrived in South Africa from the United States... →
PSA calls for urgent intervention in National Health Laboratory Service debt crisis
27th May 2026 The Public Servants Association (PSA) is extremely concerned about the more than R11 billion owed by provincial health departments to the National... →
Secretive deals, aggressive demands are new US foreign aid tactics
By: Bloomberg 22nd May 2026 On a Friday last November, government officials representing Lesotho, a mountainous enclave in eastern South Africa, sat down in the capital Maseru... →
US aid cuts undermine HIV prevention in South Africa, report finds
By: Reuters 21st April 2026 US funding cuts to South Africa have dismantled HIV prevention programmes just as they are needed to support the roll-out of the new prevention... →
DA, ANC laud arrival of HIV prevention injection
By: Thabi Shomolekae 8th April 2026 The Democratic Alliance (DA) and the African National Congress (ANC) have welcomed the arrival of the HIV prevention drug Lenacapavir, donated by... →
With US aid slashed, Nigerian HIV volunteers went door‑to‑door to keep patients alive
By: Reuters 31st March 2026 For several months last year, Josephine Angev walked the dusty village paths of Nigeria's Benue State with a mission - to help people living with... →
SA: Paul Mashatile: Address by Deputy President, at the official Commemoration of World TB Day, Western Cape (24/03/2026)
27th March 2026 I remember last year, during our commemoration in KwaZulu-Natal, a young man named Sibusiso approached me to share his challenging journey. He... →
Daily Podcast – March 17, 2026
By: Lumkile Nkomfe 17th March 2026 Making headlines: DA wants Mantashe to disclose state of SA’s fuel reserves; Sars cracksdown on corruption in customs-inspection; And, Eswatini... →
Eswatini starts administering lenacapavir to curb spread of HIV
By: Reuters 17th March 2026 Eswatini joined a handful of countries to officially roll out new HIV prevention drug lenacapavir on Wednesday, announcing that 2 000 Swazis had... →
SA: Paul Mashatile: Address by Deputy President, at the extended SANAC Plenary (12/03/2026)
13th March 2026 I wish to thank all sectors of SANAC, government, Civil Society and the private sector for the hard work they continue to put in our country’s... →
 |
 |
1 |
2 |  |
 |
