Dear Aunt Silvia,

Recently I was so devastated when I learnt that I am pregnant and HIV positive, yet am a very young girl in Senior four. I was orphaned at a very early age and raised by an old aunt.

I partly take the blame because I have been warned on several occasions because of my wayward behaviour but I would hear none of it- now I feel so lonely. I told my aunt and friends about my condition and everyone is shunning me.

I feel like aborting the foetus. What are my chances of survival if I give birth and that of the baby without infecting it with the virus; will going back to school be worth it considering my HIV status?

Shanice.

Dear Shanice,

Life does not stop with being pregnant and HIV positive. There are new methods to help expectant mothers who are HIV positive not to infect their unborn children with the virus. You need to go and seek medical advice from the doctors who can deal with your condition professionally.

Being a disrespectful and rebellious teenage has its consequences and unfortunately yours are dire. But all is not lost- please be informed that it is not the end of the world to be pregnant and HIV positive.

You have to start living positively and plan for your future and that of the baby.In fact you are at a greater risk of losing your life immediately when procuring an abortion than to die of HIV related illnesses in the near future.

You only need to first see a doctor so that they can check how advanced your sickness is and if they can immediately put you on medication before the opportunistic diseases catch up with you.

Then you need to immediately apologise to your aunt, you have caused her a lot of pain, even after struggling to raise you up alone, you had no respect for her. All that is now water under the bridge.

Forge a new and better relationship with your aunt so that she can help you live a better life than before. Now you know that having a negative attitude doesn’t help. Take heart you need to be near people who love you and take one day a time. HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

Ends