NEW!! HIV & AIDS Poster Launch!

This has been a very interesting process involving several experts from around the world. It took many months of careful adjustments and review. The resulting set of messages for children to learn and share are an update and upgrade from our first edition published in 2014.

All 10 HIV & AIDS Messages

1. Our body is amazing. We have an immune system, and this protects us from germs cause diseases.
2. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that weakens our immune system and stops our bodies protecting us well from everyday germs. IF HIV is not treated, it can lead to AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome).
3. HIV lives in the blood and other bodily fluids and is invisible to the eye. It can be passed on (1) through sex (2) from HIV positive mothers to their babies during pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding (3) in needles or syringes, and (4) through a blood transfusion.
4. Medicines called AntiRetroVirals (ARVs) keep HIV levels low so a person can live a long time. ARVs prevent the spread of the virus to others.
5. Children with HIV need strong support from their family, friends and teachers and encouragement to keep going with their medication to stay healthy.
6. People with HIV can play, share food and drink, hold hands, kiss and hug other people. People do not pass on the virus this way.
7. A medicine called PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) helps protect people who are at risk of getting HIV.
8. People protect themselves from getting HIV from sex by (1) having sex using condoms (protected sex) (2) being in a sexual relationship where both partners are HIV negative and do not have sex with others. (3) taking Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP).
9. To help themselves and others, adults who think they may have HIV can do a simple test at a clinic or with a self-test at home.
10. Pregnant women should be tested for HIV at the antenatal clinic. If positive, they should get treatment to keep them healthy and stop HIV passing to their baby during pregnancy delivery and breastfeeding.

Students and faculty at a school in Eswatini have co-created this poster by workshopping the messages and the artwork. Here are some photos of the teachers and the children giving the final draft the thumbs up.