With HIV/AIDS statistics soaring up each year, Miss South Africa 2014 and medical doctor, Rolene Strauss recently shared her personal story on how she was exposed to the virus while at work.
Taking to her Instagram page to share her experience, Rolene said after the birth of her first son in 2017, while she was still completing her medical studies, she was exposed to HIV. This was on an evening when she was on call and treating a patient at a hospital she worked in.
Rolene was breastfeeding at the time and had to start post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Now pregnant with her third child, she joined the Forever Wena campaign. The model added that she understands the crucial link between maternal and child health.
Forever Wena campaign is about being real with yourself and owning your sexual health journey, by prioritizing your prevention, agency and choices.
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Instagram users responded to her comment section:
One user said: “Just finished my PEP, and boy oh boy, what an experience. Thank you for this post. #EndTheStigma.”
Another user said: “She didn’t say she has (the virus). She was exposed to HIV while on duty. She is campaigning to end the stigma about it because having HIV is not the end. There are ways to prevent mothers from passing the virus to the child while pregnant.”
Forever Wena responded in the comment section by saying, “Thank you for sharing such a personal story. You are indeed a leader.”
Also see: Alarming number of viral Hepatitis infections in Africa
