We are exposed to many disease causing micro-organisms in daily life. It’s our immune system that protects us against the diseases. Immune system is your body’s defense mechanism against germs and microorganisms that invade your body and cause infection. Immune system is made up of proteins, cells, tissues, organs and protects our body against infections by bacteria, viruses and parasites. This protection is called immunity.
Virus is a submicroscopic, non-living, metabolically inactive and often pathogenic entity that requires a living host organism to replicate. A virus called Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is responsible for the deadly called acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the kind of virus that is sexually transmitted and destroys cells of the immune system. HIV spreads through contact with the blood and body fluids of the infected person, through sharing of the needles, having sex with the infected person and can be passed on to the infant from the mother during pregnancy, at the time of delivery or through breast feeding.
HIV causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV infects and damages a specific type of cells of the immune system called Lymphocytes. HIV takes control of the sub type of lymphocytes known as T-helper cells or T-cells and reproduces. This results in the destruction of the more and more T-cells, finally body losing its ability to fight any infection thus making it deficient to provide proper immune response. There is no cure for AIDS. AIDS is a long lasting and potentially devastating fatal disease.
Following are the risk factors for HIV/AIDS.
- Sex with multiple partners or unprotected sex.
- Already having a sexually transmitted disease (STD)
- Illegal use of drugs or sharing needles for injecting the drugs
- Transfusion of blood or blood products before 1985
- Having a sex partner who has the above risks.
HIV/AIDS cannot be transmitted through casual contact as HIV cannot live outside the human body for long. The infection cannot be passed on from one to another through normal contact such as hand shaking, hugging, touching, swimming in public pool, using same toilets, hot tubs, doors, telephones or water fountains. HIV is not transmitted through insects such as mosquitoes or from food or through sneezing or cough.
Need for HIV/AIDS screening
According to Centers for Disease Control (CDC), if you are between the age of 13 to 64 and sexually active, then you are encouraged to get yourself tested for HIV/AIDS. If you are also pregnant, then you too are advised to undergo for HIV/AIDS test. If you suspect that you were in contact with a person already infected with HIV/AIDS or accidentally exposed to the body fluids of the HIV/AIDS infected person, then you are advised to undergo HIV/AIDS screening.
Food and drugs administration (FDA) has approved only one HIV home kit called Home Access HIV-1 Test System through which blood sample can be collected at home and mailed to a laboratory for testing. This kit ensures an individual’s privacy and confidentiality.
Consulting your doctor for HIV/AIDS test
Your doctor ensures your privacy and confidentiality and is also concerned about your health. Your doctor can give you the needed support even before testing and also after testing professionally.
If you opt for home testing, you would be losing this advantage. But if you are afraid to discuss with your doctor, then you may go for home testing. If your test confirms that you have HIV/AIDS, then you must see your doctor without any delay.
HIV/AIDS prevention
HIV/AIDS infection is preventable is proper precautions are taken. Avoid sex with a person who is already infected with HIV/AIDS, and avoid sex with a person who has multiple sex partners. It is best to exercise safe sex by using condoms every time you have sex. Safe sex is the sex between two people who have no HIV/AIDS infection, no abuse of drugs and use of condoms including both male and female condoms. Safe sex also means not letting anyone else’s body fluids such as blood, semen, urine, vaginal fluid or feces coming in touch with your anus, vagina or mouth.
You should also avoid sharing needles and use of illegal drugs.
Right way to use condoms
Condoms are an effective way to prevent transmission of HIV, however, many people do not use it correctly. The expiry date on the box of the condom must be valid and it should be stored in a cool dry place away from the sunlight. Condoms are for single use, it shouldn’t be reused. When you handle the condom, see that your fingernails do not cause any punctures. The thick rolled up part of the condom should be outside so that the condom can be easily rolled from the tip of the penis to the base of the penis. Ensure to squeeze any air left in the tip of the condom. In guys who are not circumcised, pull back the foreskin and then roll the condom over the exposed part. After ejaculation, hold the condom at the base of the penis and slowly remove the penis and ensure the semen does not seep out. Wrap the used condom in a tissue and though it away. Never flush it. Prefer latex condoms. If you are allergic to latex, then you may use polyurethane condoms.
For oral sex on a woman, condom can be split longitudinally and used between the woman’s body and her partner’s mouth. Though condoms with spermicides are not recommended, but is preferable than no condom at all.
Sharing the needles
The most preferred decision would be to obtain help for your drug abuse. If you prefer to share needles and syringes, sterilize. and sanitize the needles, and syringes to kill any HIV. Draw the bleach into the syringe through the needle and then squirt it out twice. Repeat the same with water.
The last message in the bottle
HIV/AIDS is a deadly disease. But the risk of HIV/AIDS can be dissipated, through proper knowledge, taking preventive measures on time, screening and indulging in safer sex.
