Rolene Strauss chats about personal story on HIV
Q&A with former Miss World and Miss SA (2014), Rolene Strauss, who opens up about her personal story around HIV.
Former Miss World (2014) and Miss SA (2014), Rolene Strauss chats about her personal story on HIV, after making the revelation in an Instagram post this past weekend.
BEAUTY QUEEN SHARES PERSONAL STORY AROUND HIV
Rolene Strauss took to Instagram this past weekend to share her personal story around HIV. The South African beauty queen explained that after the birth of her first child in 2017, she was completing medical studies and was exposed to HIV while treating a patient.
The beauty queen has two sons with husband D’Niel Strauss and the pair are currently expecting their third child. She explained that when she was exposed to HIV, she had been breastfeeding. So, she has to go on post-exposure prophylaxis – a short course of HIV medicines intended to prevent the virus from taking hold in your body.
“Sharing a deeply personal story today ❤️. After the birth of our first son back in 2017, I was completing my medical studies and was exposed to HIV while treating a patient at a hospital during my call one evening. I was breastfeeding at the time and had to go on post-exposure prophylaxis. I can still remember all the questions (even as a medical student) running through my head at the time… 💭,” she wrote.
She also revealed that she has joined #ForeverWena. The campaign offers a lifeline of support and information through its WhatsApp chatbot and social media accounts.
Q&A WITH ROLENE STRAUSS
Can you share more about your experience when you were exposed to HIV while treating a patient and how it affected you personally and professionally?
After the birth of our first son, amidst the whirlwind of completing my medical studies, I found myself confronted with a reality I never imagined facing. It was during one of my evening calls at the hospital when I was inadvertently exposed to HIV while treating a patient. At that moment, time seemed to stand still as fear and uncertainty flooded my mind. I was breastfeeding at the time, and the weight of responsibility pressed heavily on my shoulders as I realized the potential implications for both myself and my baby.
Despite my medical background, the flood of questions and concerns was relentless. Would this affect my child? How would this impact our family’s future? The journey that followed was one of vigilance, undergoing post-exposure prophylaxis while navigating the delicate balance of motherhood and medical obligations. It was a period marked by fear, but also by resilience and an unwavering determination to protect my family.
How has your experience with HIV exposure influenced your perspective on maternal and child health?
Fast forward to the present, and I find myself on the brink of welcoming our third child into the world. This journey, coupled with my past experience, has ingrained within me a profound understanding of the intricate link between a mother’s health and the well-being of her child. It’s a realization that has fuelled my passion for advocating for HIV awareness and prevention, especially within the realm of motherhood.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO JOIN THE #FOREVERWENA CAMPAIGN, AND WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU HOPE TO CONVEY THROUGH THIS INITIATIVE?
It’s not just about raising awareness; it’s about embracing a responsibility born from personal experience. It’s about empowering mothers to prioritize their own health as an integral part of safeguarding their children’s future.
How do you see campaigns like #ForeverWena making a difference in reducing the stigma associated with HIV and encouraging open discussions about sexual health?
Preparing for motherhood goes beyond nursery decorations and baby showers; it’s about ensuring that you are equipped with the knowledge and resources to protect both yourself and your little one. Specifically focusing on HIV in the realm of motherhood, I want to ensure that all mothers and potential mothers know that motherhood begins long before the first cuddle, pregnancy, or even conception! It starts with the health choices we make for ourselves long before we even start thinking about growing a family.