AIDS and COVID-19 in southern Africa.
Afr J AIDS Res
; 20(2): 117-124, 2021 Jul.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1311356
ABSTRACT
By the end of the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, in February 2021, the numbers of cases and deaths in southern Africa were low in absolute and relative numbers. The BBC ran a story (which was later retracted) headlined "Coronavirus in Africa Could poverty explain mystery of low death rate?". A heading in the New York Post said "Scientists can't explain puzzling lack of coronavirus outbreaks in Africa". Journalist Karen Attiah concluded "It's almost as if they are disappointed that Africans aren't dying en masse and countries are not collapsing". We wondered if the knowledge that southern African countries have acquired in their struggle against AIDS has contributed to a more effective approach against COVID-19. The viral origins of the diseases through zoonotic events are similar; neither has a cure, yet. In both diseases, behaviour change is an important prevention tool, and there are specific groups that are more vulnerable to infection. Equally, there are important differences most people with COVID-19 will recover relatively quickly, while people living with HIV will need lifelong treatment. COVID-19 is extremely infectious, while HIV is less easily transmitted.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
/
Observational study
/
Randomized controlled trials
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Africa
Language:
English
Journal:
Afr J AIDS Res
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
16085906.2021.1948877
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