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AWARENESS DAYS

transmitted infections. Until 2019, pregnant and lactating women in South Africa did not receive the PrEP roll-out due to a lack of safety data on its use in pregnancy. Breastfeeding and HIV Historically, breastfeeding posed a transmission risk for mothers living with HIV. However, safe breastfeeding

for mothers with HIV is now possible. For mothers living with HIV who wish to breastfeed, it is essential to follow specific guidelines to minimise the risk of transmission to their infants. These guidelines typically involve taking antiretroviral medication, exclusive breastfeeding, and regularly consulting healthcare providers for monitoring and support.

HIV/Aids support for pregnant moms Support is crucial for pregnant women living with HIV. From healthcare providers offering specialised care to support groups and counselling services, many resources are available to help mothers navigate unique challenges. This support extends beyond medical care to address emotional and social needs, fostering a holistic approach to health.

6 FACTS TO

3. There are many different types of epilepsy. Epilepsy is a word that we use to describe any brain condition that causes someone to have two or more seizures. But people can have very different types of seizures Some people have generalised tonic clonic seizures - this is what many people imagine when they think of epilepsy. It is when a person loses consciousness, falls over and shakes on the ground. But there are many other types of epilepsy, and people have many different types of seizure. 4. One in 10 people will have an unprovoked seizure in their life: People can have seizures even if they don’t have epilepsy (epilepsy is when you have two or more unprovoked seizures). Seizures can be caused by things like low blood sugar, dehydration, using illegal drugs and having a fever - among other things. 5. Most seizures are not medical emergencies and last between a few seconds and two minutes. If the person having the seizure has had them before, this is not usually a medical emergency. It is which need to be treated and managed in very different ways.

important to remember ‘stay, safe, side’ - stay with them until the seizure ends, make them safe by moving sharp objects away, try to turn them on their side if possible. If a person’s seizure lasts for five minutes or more, they may have entered ‘status epilepticus’ (when seizures last a long time). This can be life threatening. If a seizure lasts for more than five minutes, call for medical assistance. 6. You cannot swallow your tongue during a seizure: It is impossible to swallow your tongue because it is attached to the bottom of your mouth by strong muscle fibres. Unfortunately, some people believe you need to put something in the mouth of people who are having epileptic seizures. You must not do this because it could block the airway. ■

HELP PEOPLE BETTER UNDERSTAND EPILEPSY

1. One in 26 people will develop epilepsy in their lifetime: There are many different ways people can develop epilepsy. Some people are born with the condition and some get a fever which affects their brains while others develop epilepsy after a stroke or a brain injury. But for many people we don’t know what originally caused their seizures. 2. Epileptic seizures are caused by disturbances in electrical brain signals. There are millions of cells in our brains which send electrical signals to one another in an ordered manner. However, when someone has an epileptic seizure, these brain signals get ‘scrambled’ and that causes the person to behave in unusual ways.

(Source: www.epsyhealth.com).

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