Real HIV issues with Duba

27/10/2025

CD4 vs Viral load

Quite a number of people living with HIV don't understand the difference. Some think they are one and the same thing. Some think CD4 indicates that they are responding well to treatment. Well let me give you the differentiation.

CD4 and viral load are both measured using a blood test, but they measure different things: a CD4 count measures the number of immune cells also known as helper T cells that fights infection. Generally a healthy CD4 should be between 500-1500 cells. A viral load test on the other hand measures the amount of HIV in the blood. Ideally, CD4 should be high and viral load should be low (preferably undetectable).

Initially CD4 count used to be used as a measure of how one was responding to treatment. But after research, scientists discovered that Viral load was actually the one that was able to give a clear picture of how well one was responding to treatment. So if you want to know if you are responding well to treatment, don't look at the CD4 count but look at your viral load. That is the true reflection of how well you are responding to treatment.

23/10/2025

This is sad 😢

20/10/2025

Someone asked a question on Doctors File if it's possible to get infected from someone who is HIV positive, on ART and with an undetectable viral load. Some people are saying it's possible because of viral blips. I always use myself as an example to respond to this question. I was in a discordant relationship for 10 years. He never used PrEP and I had a viral blip but he remains negative to this day. Viral blips are very minimal and resolve quickly as long as one is adherent to their medication. What causes viral blips is a topic for another day. Otherwise U=U provides 100% prevention against HIV infection. It's scientifically proven.

19/10/2025

I was asked this question. I am sure a lot of people can learn from my response. Response in the comment section.

18/10/2025

I have had such cases in my inbox. Sometimes the negative partner chooses to stay after getting knowledge about discordant couples and some choose to leave because they feel betrayed. I honestly don't blame those that leave because as PLHIV, we owe it to our s*xual partners to disclose our status before getting intimate with them. If you are not ready to disclose, at least insist on using condoms. Sadly most of the cases I deal with have unprotected sèx with their partners without disclosing their status. And when they leave they cry stigma. No it's not stigma, you betrayed your partner by not disclosing your status before getting intimate with them. I know most fear being rejected but your partner also deserves to know so they can make an informed decision. Someone who really loves you will stay despite your HIV status. Most of you know that I was in a discordant relationship for 10 years. He stayed despite me disclosing my status to him. My fellow positives, let's learn to disclose our HIV status. It doesn't matter if your viral load is Undetectable. Not everyone understands U=U (Undetectable=Untransmittable). If the person was already positive before getting intimate with you they will blame you for their infection even if you can't infect them when your viral load is Undetectable. Thank you 🙏

17/10/2025

UNAIDS says it's fake news 🤦

OFFICIAL STATEMENT

UNAIDS wishes to clarify that the information circulating on social media claiming that “HIV cases among young Zambian women have doubled, rising from 13,000 in 2023 to 30,000 in 2024” is FAKE NEWS.

UNAIDS has not released any such statement and the authors had/have misquoted facts.We urge the public to rely only on verified information shared through our official UNAIDS Zambia platforms, Ministry of Health, National AIDS Council and reputable media sources among others

For accurate updates and statistics on HIV in Zambia, please visit:
🌐 www.unaids.org
Latu Unicef Zambia AHF Zambia Racheal Kundananji Legacy Foundation Local Government Association of Zambia Nyapachuma Memorial FoundationYMHAZ United Nations in Zambia Tides 24 Foundation The Youth Platform - TYP Phenomenal Positive Youths

17/10/2025

This makes sad reading 😞

HIV Cases Increase Among Young Women in Zambia

By Nyambe Nalishebo

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS –UNAIDS- has raised alarm over a sharp increase in HIV infections among adolescent girls and young women in Zambia.

Speaking to ZNBC News, UNAIDS Zambia Country Director, ISAAC AHEMESAH, revealed that new HIV cases among young people aged 15 to 24 have risen dramatically, from 28,000 in 2023 to 30,000 in 2024.

Mr. AHEMESAH attributed the spike to several factors, including declining condom use, limited access to health services, and persistent cultural challenges such as child marriage and gender-based violence.

He said UNAIDS is working closely with the Zambian government to roll out combination prevention strategies, including wider access to condoms and pre-exposure prophylaxis –PrEP- options.

However, Mr. AHEMESAH expressed concern that funding cuts could severely hamper these efforts.

14/10/2025

Good morning ladies and gentlemen 🥰🤝, slowly 🐌 but surely we are fast approaching our event. A number of people have made payment so far and it is our wish that everyone attends this information packed event where several questions and lessons will be looked at in details. Come let's learn, grow and celebrate together as team adherence ❤️🤌🏽🇿🇲. For payment and reservation, call Dr Simpungwe on +260 977772572

Note: I am an invited speaker and not the organizer. For reservations and payment contact the above contact. Thank you 🙏

13/10/2025

After I shared the post about people in SA who give themselves an ART holiday someone sent this in my inbox. You see why I tell people that as long as you are s*xually active you can also end up HIV positive. Imagine these married men who are sleeping with her. They go back to their wives and infect them. Maybe everyone should be on PrEP mweh 😫

From my inbox

I have a former friend. I distanced myself from her because of her ARV holiday breaks...she has friends who deliver the medicine to her so she never goes for check ups from the time she reached u=u and she sleeps with anyone who shows interest in her as long as he can spend money on her. She mostly dates married guys and she sleeps with them without rubbers. Now here's the thing, most know of her status and she does reveal to some but they still have live s*x and go back to their wives. At some point she was dating a man with 5 wives. They think she's u=u yet she gives herself breaks. At first I used to wonder why she was so wreckless, till she opened up ... I've come to the conclusion that she's a deliberate mass spreader. And sadly, Men fall for her because she's a very beautiful lady

13/10/2025

This makes sad reading 😔

07/10/2025

Copy and paste

HIV RANDOM POINTS:1. don't ever take PEP or PreP without understanding how either works or how long u should take it. 2. For either PEP or PreP don't stop your course in the middle, eg u only take it for 14 days then stop 🙄 badmanners. 3. Don't rely on anyone who is not a medical personnel to convince u to take PEP or PreP without even knowing when after how many days prior to initiation of Prep should u have raw s*x with an HIV + partner. 4.Dont listen to those that say ati " Me I only took PEP for 5 days boi and I stopped because I won't get infected even if I don't finish the course " , 🙄uhmm badmanners. 5. Effectiveness for Prep to kick in or start working differs in males and females meaning for females it can be maybe after 2 weeks prior to PreP that's when she can copulate with her HIV+ spouse while for males it can maybe be after 7 days prior to PreP then he can copulate with his HiV + spouse. my point is it takes different tyms for the PreP to start working 🥺not u take 1 tablet of PreP today then tomorrow u copulate 🙄🥺guys relax and follow instructions. 6. Both PREP and PreP tablets should be taken daily even though PreP can be taken for a short period of tym or long period of time.7. Can u switch to oral PreP from injectable PreP ? YES u can after 4 weeks prior to PreP injection. 8. Can u transition from PEP to Prep ? , yes u can so long you know the exposure to infection will continue after PEP or so long u continue copulating with an HIV+ partner. 9.A self HIV test negative result is not sufficient for PreP to be initiated meaning the hospital has to retest u using PCR . 10.PCR is the gold standard test meaning so long PCR is positive u will remain positive even your vL is undetectable.11. U=U means u can't transmit the virus but u will still remain positive meaning DON'T stop taking your meds thinking u have become HIV negative.12. So long u compliant to your meds, eating healthy and taking immune boosters trust me u are fyn .

RT: Cia Mendez