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HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS was first identified in the early 1980's and has since seen a rapid increase in the number of people infected around the world. HIV/AIDS is the most talked about disease in the world; however the disease is still surrounded by large scale denial, stigma and oppression. This denial of the disease has lead to a wide spread increase of the disease.
A Global View of HIV and AidsAccording to the information released by the WHO in December 2009, there are 33.4 million adults and children estimated to be living with HIV.
Of the estimated 33.4 million individuals living with HIV, 22.4 million reside in Sub-Saharan Africa.
There are over 7400 new infections a day, 97 % of these infections occur in low to middle income countries.
About 1200 infections occur in children under the age of 15 years and about 6200 infections occur in adults and children aged 15 years or older Women contribute to 48 % of this total.
Young people between the ages of 15 to 22 years contribute 40 % of the total. (WHO, December 2009)
The above number of daily infections can be decreased if people know their status. If an individual knows their status and is HIV positive, information on how to remain healthy, get treatment and how to keep loved ones healthy as well is available. If an individual is negative there is information widely available on how to remain that way.
What is HIV/AIDS?HIV stands for Human Immuno Deficiency Virus .This virus enters into the blood stream. The virus in an HIV positive person can be found in blood, sex fluids and breast milk. HIV attacks and destroys the body's immune system, weakening the body's defence system against opportunistic infections and bacteria such as TB.
How Do I Get HIV?HIV is passed through Sex, Pregnancy (including Breastfeeding) and Blood.
SexHIV is passed through semen and vaginal fluids. An HIV positive person can infect another person through vaginal sex, oral sex and anal sex.
An STI (sexually transmitted infection) can increase the risk of HIV Infection. An STI is any sickness passed on from one person to another during sex. HIV can pass into the blood stream through the broken skin which results from an STI.
PregnancyHIV passes from mother to child during pregnancy, at the time of delivery and in breast milk during breastfeeding.
The chances of mother to child transmission of HIV are 20-40 %. This increases if the HIV positive mother breastfeeds and is not on the necessary treatment to prevent the transmission.
There is no need for an HIV positive mother to give birth to an HIV positive baby. Transmission can be prevented with the right medication and care.
BloodHIV passes from one person to another through the blood stream. HIV can pass through very little blood, like sharing of needles whilst injecting drugs.
The transmission of HIV through blood is high in drug addicts sharing needles and in medical professionals who treat HIV positive people and experience a needle stick injury.
Testing for HIV/AIDSTesting for HIV/AIDS helps avoid spreading the disease. There are clinics that are known as voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) clinics. These clinics have trained medical professionals who will conduct a pre-test counselling and a post-test counselling process.
The test can be done either through a blood sample or a mucosal swab. The results are ready immediately.
Prevention - To Stay NegativeIf a person tests negative then preventative methods need to be adopted in order to stay negative.
Prevention can be achieved through:
1. Protected sex - the correct use of a condom
2. By being in a sexually faithful relationship and not having multiple partners
3. Abstaining from casual sex
Treatment – If PositiveAlthough there is no cure for Aids an individual who is diagnosed with HIV can live a healthy normal life. Research and development has provided medicines that prevent illness and extends an individual's life span. There is no cure for Aids but if an individual diagnosed with HIV aids is treated holistically the individual will live a normal life. There are other diseases that are treated but not cured like Diabetes or Hypertension. "HIV can be viewed and treated like a chronic disease" (AFA, 2005).
When a person is diagnosed positive it is not necessary to start treatment immediately. People remain healthy for a long time without medication. Once the HIV starts attacking the immune system and a person's defence becomes weaker and unable to fight off infections then medication is required. This can be determined by two tests known as a CD4 test and a viral load test.
The CD4 count determines the health of a person's immune system and a viral load measures the amount of virus in the blood. When the CD4 count is low and viral load is high then medication is required in order to help the weakening immune system.
Antiretroviral TherapyMedication which is used in the treatment of HIV in order to slow down the progression of the disease is called "Antiretroviral" (ARV).When taken correctly ARV's can reduce the HIV virus in the blood.
Antiretroviral therapy is known to have the benefit as outlined by the Aid for Aids information booklet (AFA, 2005: Patient information booklet)
1. The medicines will increase the length of your life
2. The medicines will improve the quality of your life
3. The medicines will reduce the chance of you getting nasty infections because of the weakened immune system
4. The medication will boost the CD4 count
5. The medication will reduce your viral load
Starting an antiretroviral is a lifelong decision. In order for the medication to be effective it is important that the medication be taken correctly. The medication must be taken every day as prescribed. If the prescribed treatment is not adhered to, resistance to the therapy emerges and the drugs become ineffective in treating HIV. A person needs to be mentally prepared to start the lifelong process of antiretroviral therapy.
HIV treatment also includes treatment to prevent pneumonias and TB.
Antiretroviral therapy can also be used to prevent mother to child transmission of HIV.
Antiretrovirals are also used as prophylaxes in rape victims and in medical professionals when a needle stick injury occurs.
ConclusionHIV/AIDS, although not curable, can be treated. The first step is to know your status.
If HIV negative, ensure that all care is taken to remain negative. If HIV positive, contact your medical doctor who will assist you in living a long, well balanced life.
HIV/AIDS is a reality. Do not become a statistic.
REFERENCES:
1. World Health Organisation, Revised Principles and Recommendations
2. Rapid Advice, November 2009 5th Edition, 2005.
3. Aid for Aids, HIV/AIDS information booklet, 2005
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