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AIDS
AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.
Acquired means you can get infected with it, Immune Deficiency means a
weakness in the body's system that fights diseases, Syndrome means a group
of health problems that make up a disease. AIDS is caused by a virus called
HIV, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. This condition reduces the
effectiveness of the immune system and leaves individuals susceptible to
infections and tumors.
Mode of Transmission
The virus of HIV primarily is transmitted by sex (anal, vaginal or oral sex
with an infected partner), by injections (sharing contaminated needles for
drug use or accidental piercing with a contaminated needle), or from
infected mother to child through pregnancy or breast-feeding.
Infected semen and vaginal fluids, blood and blood product lead to the
transmission of HIV. Drug abuse with unsterilized needles is another
high-risk activity. Unprotected sex with multiple partners is the major
cause of infection.
Symptoms
HIV disease becomes AIDS when the immune system is seriously damaged. In
such cases, the cell count decreases by fourteen percent. The infected
person becomes prone to various opportunistic infections such as
- PCP (Pneumocystis pneumonia), a lung infection.
- KS (Kaposi's sarcoma), a skin cancer.
- CMV (Cytomegalovirus), an infection that usually affects the eyes.
- Candida, a fungal infection that can cause thrush (a white film in
your mouth) or infections in your throat or vagina.
- The AIDS related diseases also include serious weight loss, brain
tumors and other health problems.
Who is at risk ?
People with job that involves routine exposure to blood, and other body
fluids are highly prone to HIV infection. Healthcare professional can be
exposed to HIV from needle-sticks and cuts and nicks caused by sharp
objects. The infection can also be transmitted if the workers have contact
with blood or infectious body fluids through broken, cut or torn skin.
There is also high risk of infection if the contaminated blood or body
fluid comes in contact with wet skin in the eyes, nose, or mouth.
Corrections staff, law enforcement, and public safety workers such as
emergency medical personnel are always at risk due to exposure to infected
blood or body fluids.
Preventions
Although AIDS is a high risk disease, it can be prevented if proper
precautions are taken. Greater awareness should be meted out to those who
are ignorant of the virus and its repercussions on the human body. We have
listed a few measures that can be adopted by everyone in order to stave off
the HIV infection.
- Promiscuous sexual behavior can leave a person highly susceptible to
the HIV infection. Always use latex condoms. The female condom can also
help protect both partners. Use only water-based lubricants. Oil
lubricants (such as Vaseline) might even tear latex condoms.
- Always avoid alcohol or drugs during sex, you might lose control of
your senses and engage in unsafe sex.
- Use only disposable syringe and needles for transfusion. Always get
the blood that is screened and certified as HIV free.
- It is recommended that an HIV-positive woman should not breast-feed
her baby. The infant should be given AZT for the first several weeks in
order to reduce the risk of infection.
