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What is AIDS?
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AIDS is an acronym for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome which is the final and most serious stage of HIV.
HIV stands for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus which can dause a person infected with it up to 10 years to develop AIDS.
There are actually 2 types of HIV virus:
HIV-1 is the source of the majority of HIV infections throughout the world.
HIV-2 is not as easily transmitted and is mainly found in West Africa.
How is HIV transmitted?
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HIV is transmitted by:
1.unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person(semen,vaginal fluid)
2.the usage of HIV-tainted needles
3.from a mother to her baby during pregnancy and birth, also during breastfeeding
4.receiving infected blood and blood products
What is the danger of HIV?
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The HIV infection destroys CD4 (T-cell) lymphocytes and thus weakens the body's immune defences.
The T-cells are white blood cells which helps to protect the body from bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.
If the T-cells are destroyed or weakened, they are less able to defend the body effectively against infections.
Having HIV also increases the risk of getting cancers.
The HIV virus can attack every organ of the body.
AIDS which is the terminal stage of HIV infection is fatal.
Once you reach this stage, the person usually dies 1-3 years from various infections and cancers.
What are the symptoms of HIV?
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Usually, a HIV-infected person may not notice any symptoms.
However, the following symptoms may be experienced subsequently:
1.fever,chills
2.Loss of weight
2.sore throat
3.muscular stiffness or aches
4.headache
5.diarrhoea
6.swollen lymph glands
7.fatigue
8.rash of various types
9.joint pain
WHO Classification Of HIV:
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Stage I: HIV infection is asymptomatic and not categorized as AIDS
Stage II: includes minor mucocutaneous manifestations and recurrent upper respiratory tract infections
Stage III: includes unexplained chronic diarrhea for longer than a month, severe bacterial infections and pulmonary tuberculosis
Stage IV: includes toxoplasmosis of the brain, candidiasis of the esophagus, trachea, bronchi or lungs and Kaposi's sarcoma;
these diseases are indicators of AIDS.
How do you test for HIV?
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Blood test for HIV Antibodies.
A negative result does not necessary mean you do not have HIV.
There is a window period of 3-6 months sometimes before the HIV antibodies show positive results.
When a test shows positive results, the blood is retested at a CDC(Communicable Disease Centre) which is able to test more specific tests for HIV.(Western Blot HIV Confirmatory Test)
Rapid HIV testing throgh oral swabs is now offered in some medical clinics.
These tests produce very quick results.
In approximately 20 minutes you may be able to know your HIV status.
New tests for HIV includes HIV-DNA and HIV-RNA testing.
Is there a cure for HIV or AIDS?
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At the present moment there is no cure for HIV or AIDS.
Treatments which can improve the patient’s immune system and prevent the onset of AIDS however are available:
1.Reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitors:
This first group of drugs approved to treat HIV infection act by preventing the replication of the HIV virus.
The HIV virus is unable to spread in the body so easily and less secondary infection may attack the body.
2.Protease inhibitors:
This second class of drugs act by stopping the replication of HIV at a later stage in the cycle.
3.Combination or cocktail therapy (using two or more drugs together) is preferred in case the HIV virus becomes resistant to both classes of drugs.
4. Some new methods involve the use of thalidomide, antimalarial and Anti-TB drugs
5. A cure For HIV will be to produce a vaccine against the HIV virus.
How can I protect myself from HIV infection?
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THE ABC method of prevention:
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Abstinence or delay of sexual activity, especially for youth,
Being faithful, especially for those in committed relationships,
Condom use, for those who engage in risky behavior.
The CNN method of prevention:
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Condom use, for those who engage in risky behavior,
Needles, use clean ones,
Negotiating safer sex with a partner and empowering women to make smart choices
World AIDS day is on 1st December every year.
