Aids is now the leading cause of
death for Men, Women & Children
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More
has been told and believed about Aids than any thing in last three
decades. Is it only what we are aware of it or there is more to it? Check
it out here!!
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us know what is your opinion on this.
Aids, One of the most Dangerous
Disease which is spreading very fast throughout
the world, particularly in India.
What does "Aids" mean?
Aids stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Acquired means
you can catch it. Immune Deficiency means a weakness in the body system that fight
diseases. Syndrome means a group of health problemsthat make up a disease.
Aids is caused by a virus called HIV which stands for Human Immuno
deficiency Virus. If you get infected with HIV, your body will try to fight the infection.
It will make "antibodies", special molecules that are supposed to fight HIV.
How it Spread?
You can get HIV from anyone who's infected, even if they don't look
sick, even if they have not tested positive.
Most people get the HIV virus by
* Having sex with an infected person.
* Sharing a needle with someone who is
infected
* Being born when the mother is
infected, or drinking the breast milk of an
infected woman
* Getting a transfusion of blood from
an infected blood donor
* Possible to catch HIV through oral
sex, especially if you have open sores
in your mouth or have bleeding gums
Symptoms
You might not know if you get infected by HIV. Most people think it
is a flue.
Some people won't be having symptoms.
Some people get fever, headache, sore muscles and Joints, stomach
ache, swollen lymph glands, or a skin rash for one or two weeks.
Cure for Aids
There is no cure for AIDS. There are drug that can slow down the HIV
virus and slow down the damage to your immune system. But there is no way to get all the
HIV out of the body.
How to avoid Aids
* Be well versed in the facts about HIV
and AIDS - What is it? How it
spread? and how to prevent it?
* Avoid including in high risk
behaviour (Unsafe sexual practices, intravenous drug abuse, etc)
* Do not hesitate to talk about your
doubts and fears.
* Practice abstinence before marriage
and fidelity within marriage, otherwise ensure safe sexual practice
* Ensure that any needles, syringes or
equipment used for invasive procedures are sterile
* Ensure that any blood transfusion
that you receive has been screened and is certified negative for HIV antibodies, Hepatitis
B, Hepatitis C.
Practical Information
* HIV infections not the same as Aids.
Aids is the end stage of HIV infection. One maybe HIV + but can lead a healthy, positive
life for many years.
* The Major route of HIV transmission
in India is sexual. Therefore women should ensure safe, sexual practices to protect their
partners.
* Non Barrier contraceptives such as
IUDs provide no protection against HIV transmission.
* HIV positive persons should not
donate body fluids
* If a blood of a person (infected with
HIV) is split up in the home, it should be cleaned with cloth or paper towel. There
should be no direct skin contact. The cloth should be burnt or buried or enclosed in a
plastic bag and disposed. The Contaminated area should be washed with household bleach
dilute 1:10 and hands should be washed with soap and water
* People with HIV- infection should not
share toothbrushes, blades, razor, syringes, needles, and other skin piercing
instruments.
* HIV positive people should eat a
balanced diet; Food should be rich in Protein, Vitamins & Carbohydrates. They should
also drink boiled water.
* They should stay as active as
possible and regular exercise is must. They should continue to work if possible.
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