This is as the world commemorates World AIDS Day on Sunday, 1 December.
In a lengthy narrative, Criselda, who has been living with HIV for many years, shared that this year she is reflecting on her journey with the virus.
She recalled being told decades ago that HIV would claim her life within two years of her diagnosis.
“I look back in complete gratitude for what the Lord has done in my life. Today, I mourn the deaths of millions of people who passed believing that being diagnosed with HIV infection is a death sentence, those failed by their unfaithful partners, failed by systematic exclusion to a holistic approach towards the management and treatment of an immune deficiency disease,” she said.
Criselda further reflected on how umjolo and the feeling of betrayal would lead her to a weak immune system, post-traumatic disorder, ICU hospitalisation and prevention of possible exposure to post-Covid symptoms.
She said she decided to start ARVs, which unfortunately led to diabetes.
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“It’s been three years that tested all my theories about HIV medication. It is what it is. I am still here, strong and closest to healthy. Grateful for life, family and genuine friends, loving my career progression and future prospects.
“Though not easy, every day I choose to love myself unconditionally, I show up as the best version of myself, I teach people how I want to be treated, I honour myself and all my achievements,” she said.
Amongst all that, the former radio personality urged the public to once again invest in facts about the infection and stop saying HIV/AIDS simply because HIV is not AIDS.
She asserted that they don’t say hypertension or stroke, stating that HIV is a germ that weakens the body and AIDS is any illness that takes advantage of the weak body and makes the body sick.
“Most of the AIDS-related illnesses can be cured. TB, some cancers, pneumonia, diarrhoea, meningitis, bacterial and fungal infections and some that are incurable but treatable, like diabetes, shingles and other viral infections like herpes.
“The biggest lie continues to be that ARVs alone make living with HIV easier. This is further from the truth. I’m grateful to having started ARVs at a time when scientists became more ethical and truly invested in treating a viral infection without causing further damage,” she said.