October 26th, 2011  Posted at   Diseases STDs
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AIDS is caused by the Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which damages the body’s defense system. People infected with HIV usually live for years without any signs of the disease. They may look and feel healthy, but they can still pass on the virus to others.

HIV is a retrovirus with two primary types: HIV-1 and HIV-2. There are many strains of both types and all mutate rapidly, which has made it particularly difficult for researchers to find an effective vaccine or treatment for the virus. HIV infection is often mostly or entirely asymptomatic (without symptoms) and the most common signs, which include fever, fatigue, rash, and lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes), are often mistaken for mononucleosis, flu, or similar, comparatively harmless diseases.

AIDS is the late stage of HIV infection. People who have AIDS grow weaker because their bodies loose the ability to fight off illness. In adults, AIDS develops 7 to 10 years after infection, on an average. In young children, it usually develops much faster.

It is not possible to get HIV /AIDS from touching those who are infected. Hugging, shaking hands, coughing and sneezing will not spread the disease. HIV /AIDS cannot be transmitted through toilet seats, telephones, plates, glasses eating utensils, towels, bed linen, swimming pools or public baths.

AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is an incurable but preventable disease. HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), the virus that cause AIDS, spreads through unprotected sex (intercourse without a condom), transfusions of unscreened blood, contaminated needles and syringes (most often those used for injecting drugs) and from an infected woman to her child during pregnancy, childbirth and breast feeding.

All people including children are at a risk for HIV/AIDS everyone needs information and education bout the disease and access to condoms to reduce this risk.

Anyone who suspects that he or she might be infected with HIV should contact a health worker or an HIV.AIDS center to receive confidential counseling and testing.

The risk of getting HIV through sex can be reduced if people don’t have sex, if the reduce the number of sex partners, if uninfected partners have sex only with each other, or if people have safer sex- sex without penetration or while using a condom. Correct and consistent use of condoms can save lives by preventing the spread of HIV.

Girls are especially vulnerable to HIV infection and need support to protected against unwanted and unsafe sex.

Parents and teachers can help young people protect themselves from HIV /AIDS by talking with them about how to avoid getting and spreading the disease, including the correct and consistent use of male or female condoms.

HIV infection can be passed from a mother to her child during pregnancy or childbirth or through breastfeeding. Pregnant women or new mothers who are infected with HIV, or suspect that they are infected, should consult a qualified health worker to seek testing and counseling.

Un-sterilized needles or syringes, most often those used for injecting drugs, can spread HIV. Used razor blades, knives or tools that cut or pierce the skin also carry some risk of spreading HIV.

People who have a sexually transmitted infection (STI) are at a greater risk of getting HIV and of spreading HIV to others. People with STIs should seek prompt treatment and avoid sexual intercourse or practice safer sex. Read more… »

October 25th, 2011  Posted at   Diseases STDs
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Sex workers are very significant in the topic of HIV for two reasons: The very nature of the job they do, and the simple fact that they have a high number of sexual partners on a regular basis. If they become infected with HIV, they’re more likely to pass it on due to the sheer number of sex partners they come in contact with. Prostitutes come in various forms, and can be male, female, or transgendered. It is a high risk group, along with men who have sex with men and intravenous drug users. It is very easy for sex workers to pass HIV from other high risk people to the public at large.

The sex work industry in Asia is very large: upward of 75 million male clients for about 10 million actual sex workers. Thailand was one of the first countries to notice the high rate of HIV infection amongst its sex workers, and began enforcing mandatory condom usage in the brothels; this practice has helped reduce the rate of HIV infection. The Indian government, for example, estimates that about 5% of all prostitutes in India are infected with HIV. And there is clear overlap with other high risk groups, such as intravenous drug users. In Vietnam, about one-third of all such drug users admitted to purchasing sex within the previous year, but only one-fifth of them used a condom during sex.

In sub-Saharan Africa, the rate of HIV infection amongst female prostitutes is 20 times higher than the prevalence in the entire population. Male and transgendered prostitutes have a more difficult time using safer sex practices. Less than half of Kenyan male and transgendered sex workers use condoms, which contributes to the high rate of HIV infection. The high HIV infection rate is also prevalent in Central and South American countries such as Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador. The U.S./Mexico border towns on the Mexican side, such as Ciudad Juarez and Tijuana, have a high rate of HIV infection among prostitutes who also use inject drugs; the reason being that these sex workers will often trade unprotected sex for drug money.

Sex work is often controlled in many European countries and is largely illegal in the United States, which limits the data available on HIV infection (especially in the U.S.) or contributes to a low overall HIV infection rate in the European countries that regulate the practice. It is, however, important that sex workers get the access to HIV prevention programs that they need and continue to promote condom usage amongst sex workers throughout the world. Read more… »

October 25th, 2011  Posted at   Diseases STDs
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Prevention is always better than cure. This principle holds a phenomenal significance when it comes to HIV/AIDS. AIDS is one such disease that does not have any permanent cure. Available treatment options are only effective in reducing the symptoms associated with the disease. In such scenario, it is important to have adequate protection so that you do not get the infection.

Preventive measures for persons who are HIV-negative

1. It is important to understand all details pertaining to HIV and the way it is transmitted from person to person. One should also have an idea about various symptoms associated with AIDS.

2. Creating public awareness regarding HIV and AIDS by means of educational programs

3. Having a sexual pleasure with a stranger can be dangerous. One should never enter into any such an act. Make sure your partner is not infected with HIV.

4. One should never engage in unprotected sex. One should always use condoms. Latex condoms are more useful than those made of polyurethane.

5. A circumcision performed under a medical supervision can reduce the risk of an HIV infection.

6. HIV can also get transmitted through infected needles and other sharp instruments. Hence, it is always good to use a clean and sterilized needle while injecting drugs. New razor blades should be used while shaving.

7. Blood transfusion is another important mode of HIV transmission. Hence, it is always better to have blood that has been screened and is negative for HIV and other STIs. Read more… »

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