HIV BasicsHIV/AIDS
What is AIDS/HIV?
AIDS is a acronym for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, AIDS is a condition resulting from HIV's destruction of the immune system. AIDS is now a pandemic, and is caused by HIV, human immunodeficiency virus. HIV attacks the bodies immune system, and HIV progressively destroys the immune system until the body cannot fight off infection or even some types of cancers. The term AIDS generally applies to the more advanced stages of HIV infection.
When HIV/AIDS first appeared there were few treatments, researchers have since been able to develop drugs that can help fight against HIV infections and cancers can be associated with it. The HIV medical advances have improved survival rates and reduced the progression of HIV/AIDS. The regimens can keep those who are HIV positive in good health for long periods of time and have undetectable viral loads.
Women may transmit HIV to their babies during pregnancy, while giving birth or through breastfeeding. There are very effective (low probability to transmit HIV <5% risk) methods to prevent the spread of mother-infant transmission of HIV:
1. Taking a anti-HIV drug during pregnancy-Some drugs that exist are
zidovudine, AZT, alone or often in combination with other drugs called highly active
antiretroviral therapy a mom can significantly reduce the chances of passing HIV on to her baby.
2. Ensure the baby by Caesarean section, and do so before the mother uterine rupture of membranes.
This will reduce transmission risks that may occur during birth. The use of anti-HIV drugs during pregnancy and childbirth, combined with a Caesarean section among women with certain levels of HIV in the blood may reduce the risk that the baby will be
infected in less than 2 percent.
3. Prevention of breastfeeding by an HIV-positive mother. HIV can spread to babies through breast milk
of mothers infected with the virus. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that HIV-infected women feed their children formula to prevent any transmission instead of breastfeeding.
Approximately one quarter to one half of all pregnant women infected with HIV transmit the infection to their babies. HIV infection of newborns is very rare in those countries with good AIDS treatment programs because women are tested for HIV during pregnancy and HIV-infected women receive anti-HIV drugs throughout pregnancy, delivery by caesarean to avoid birth transmission, and are advised not to breast-feed their infants.
It is estimated that about 10000 in the USA have some form of HIV. In the US the number of children being born with HIV is dropped dramatically, from about 2000 per year to less than 200 per year due to the identification of HIV infection in pregnant women and use of anti-HIV drugs during pregnancy, delivery by Caesarean section, and avoidance of breastfeeding.
In contrast to the USA, from mother to child in developing countries remains a major problem, of which approximately 700000 infants are infected with HIV each year because most women are not screened for HIV during the pregnancy, HIV drugs are not available or too expensive, and safe alternatives to breastfeeding do not exist or are too expensive.
Unlike the dramatic reduction of mother to child transmission of HIV infection, the incidence of HIV infection among adolescents and young adults continues to increase across the world. About one-third to one half of new HIV infections in the US can be attributed to adolescents and young adults.
Most HIV-infected adolescents and young adults are exposed to the virus through unprotected sex, some adolescents and young adults are also infected through drug use by injection. In addition, a growing number of children who were infected as infants are now surviving into adolescence.
1. By hanging out with or being near someone who has HIV.
2. From the saliva, sweat, clothes, tears, telephones, drinking water, toilet seats, or any everyday thing like sharing a meal.
3. From insect bites, like a mosquito bite.
4. From donating blood
5. From kissing
If you are sexually active or thinking of becoming sexual active you should take a look at safe sex and HIV.
1. Do not share needles syringes used to inject any drug, including steroids, illegal substance, tattooing, and piercing. Also, do not share any equipment that comes into contact with blood or bodily fluid . Many people have been infected by HIV, hepatitis and other viruses this way. The virus from some who is HIV+ can be left in a needle and then be injected directly into someone else using the needle.
2. Abstain from risky sexual behaviors and always use a condom.
3. The condom is used in conjunction with a lubricant are less likely to break. However, condoms with spermicide do not help prevent any STDS or HIV. Condoms should always be used and used correctly to be effective as protection. The incorrect use can lead to slippage of condoms or rupture, which reduces the protective effect. Use a condom every time because failure to use condoms with every sexual act is risky, any one can result in STD or HIV transmission.
4. Do not share razors or toothbrushes on the off chance that one of these things has blood on it.
5. If you are pregnant or think you might be soon, talk to your doctor or your health department to be tested for HIV. If you share the HIV drug treatments are available to help you and they can reduce the risk of HIV transmission to your baby.
You may have HIV and still feel healthy. The only way to know with certainty whether you are infected or not to be tested. Talk to your doctor or a counselor before and after you are tested. You can access your doctor or health service for testing. To find out where to go in your area for HIV counsellings and testing, contact your local health department. Your doctor or health care provider may give you an HIV test in confidentiality. The information on your HIV test and the test results are confidential, as well as your other medical information. This means it can be shared only with people allowed to see your medical records. You can ask your doctor, a provider of health care, HIV / adviser to where you are tested to explain who can obtain this information. For example, you want may to ask if your insurance company might know your HIV status if you make a claim for benefits health insurance or apply for life insurance or disability insurance. It is recommended that everyone knows their HIV status. How many times you have an HIV test depends on your situation. If you have never been tested for HIV, you should be tested. CDC recommends that testing at least once a year if you do things that can transmit HIV infection, such as:
1. Injecting with needles used by another person.
2. Having unprotected sex
3. or it has been more than one sexual partner since your HIV test
4. Having a sexual partner who has had other sexual partners since your last HIV test.
In many states, you can test in anonymity. These tests are usually given at places known as anonymous testing sites. When you get tested for HIV anonymously, the test site records only a number or code with the test result, not your name. An adviser gives you this number when your blood, saliva, or urine is taken for the test, then you return to the test site (or perhaps call the test site, for example with home collection kits) and give them your number or code to learn the results of your test.
If you have been tested for HIV and the result is negative and you never do things that can transmit HIV infection, then you and your health care provider can decide whether you need to be tested.
You are more likely to test positive for (infection) if you are HIV
1. You have shared needles with another person.
2. You've had sex without a condom with someone who has HIV.
3. You have had a STI/STD such as chlamydia or gonorrhea.
4. Received a transfusion or a factor in blood clotting between before 1985.
5. You had sex with someone who is at risk to contract HIV themselves.
Living with AIDS doesn't mean the end. See our just diagnosed section, HIV is very serious but it is very possible to live a long and healthy life. It is important to make sure you have a doctor who knows how to treat HIV. If you do not know which doctor to use, talk to a health professional or trained HIV adviser. If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, it is of particularly importance.
1. Follow your doctor's instructions and keep your appointments. Your doctor may prescribe drugs for you. Take the medication only how he or she tells you to and try to avoid messing up your regimen.
2. Get vaccinations (shots) to prevent infections such as pneumonia and influenza. Your doctor will tell you when to get these plans.
3. Quit smoking if you do and quit all other recreational substance use
4. Eat food that is good for you in a balanced diet. This will keep you strong/resistant, keep your energy and your weight, and help your body to protect itself.
5. Exercise regularly to stay strong and fit.
6. Get enough rest and sleep.
