: Man who pricked wife with HIV needles jailed

Man who pricked wife with HIV needles jailed
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Times.co.nz  on 27 February, 2010 02:45:00
 
The 35-year-old had been sexually active across Auckland and women who had had
sex with him should get in touch with the police or health services.
Detective Simon Jeffries, of Counties Manukau Police, says: “We’ve been able
to determine the offender has been sexually active with other women in the
Auckland area over the past few years.
“Anyone who hasn’t been in touch with the police or health services
regarding contact with this man, and who has health concerns, should contact a
doctor or health provider as soon as possible.”
Chakanyuka was jailed for eight years and four months on February 3 for wilfully
infecting his 33-year-old wife with the virus, by pricking her with needles
contaminated with his blood. His intention was that she would catch the disease
and resume having sex with him.
Now the New Zealand Aids Foundation (NZAF) is encouraging people to access HIV
testing and support services.Eamonn Smythe, director of positive health
services, says: “This is a distressing situation.
“People who find out they may have been exposed to HIV will be stressed out.
We advise them to access testing and support services as soon as possible.”
Mr Smythe says that HIV has far-reaching consequences, and support for people
affected needs to continue beyond testing.
Facts about HIV/Aids
* HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It is the virus that causes Aids.
A member of a group of viruses called retroviruses, HIV infects human cells and
uses the energy and nutrients provided by those cells to grow and reproduce.
* HIV can only be spread through bodily fluids such as semen or blood. Using
condoms and lube can prevent sexual contact spread.
* Aids stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. It is a disease in which
the body’s immune system breaks down, and is unable to fight off infections
and other illnesses that take advantage of a weakened immune system.
* The NZAF provides free thera-peutic services with qualified counsellors and
psychotherapists before, and after testing for positive and negative results.