AIDS
HIV is an abbreviation of Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV is a virus that takes over certain immune system cells to make many copies of it. HIV causes slow but constant damage to the immune system.
AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS is the condition diagnosed when there are a group of related symptoms that are caused by severe HIV infection. AIDS makes the body vulnerable to life-threatening illnesses called opportunistic infections.
How does HIV affect the body?
Normally, the human immune system is the body’s protection against bacterias, viruses, etc.; it is like a coat of armor. When HIV enters the body, it starts poking holes in the armor. Eventually, the armor becomes very weak and unable to protect the body. Once the armor is very weak or is gone, the person is said to have AIDS. An AIDS diagnosis is generally made when either the body’s protective T-cells drop below a certain level, or the HIV-positive individual begins to experience opportunistic infections. An opportunistic infection is an infection that would not normally affect an otherwise healthy person. |
Oftentimes, it’s these infections that are the cause of illness or death in HIV-positive individuals – not the virus itself. If people do not get any treatment for HIV disease, it takes an average of 8-10 years to progress from HIV to AIDS.
How is HIV transmitted?
HIV is transmitted through four body fluids: blood, semen, vaginal fluid, and breast milk. In order to pass HIV from one person to another, HIV-infected fluid from one person needs to get into the bloodstream of another person. HIV is usually transmitted through sharing needles, unprotected anal, vaginal, and sometimes oral sex, and from mother to infant before or during delivery or while breastfeeding.
**Special Note for HIV-Positive Mothers:
In developed countries like the U.S., formula feeding is strongly recommended over breastfeeding for babies of HIV-positive mothers. Whether choosing breastfeeding or formula, there should be little or no switching between the two, as doing so could put the child at a higher risk of contracting HIV, since baby formula can be harsh and weaken the lining of a baby’s stomach, giving a path for HIV to enter the baby’s bloodstream.
How can I prevent myself from contracting HIV?
Becoming educated about HIV and understanding how it is transmitted is the first, and perhaps most important way to prevent the spread of HIV. It is essential for people to make informed decisions about the level of risk they are willing to take, based on what is realistic for them.
Well, this is one of the biggest threats of world. One day I was reading newspaper, suddenly I read there was family suicide, one couple with their beautiful two girls. I was shocked by reading the reason; the reason was parents were having AIDS, now they have written in their suicide latter that after their death, who will marry their girls or who will let them live because their parents died because of AIDS. So, they gave them medicine also to commit suicide, for whole day I was thinking that who was responsible for this, our society or their parents. Girl’s parents were right on their place; in society people are not aware of this disease & they are not accepting people who are suffering from AIDS.
Another incidence was also very touchy for me. One of my close friend was working in laboratory where routine AIDS & other check ups were done. one day a couple came to doctor, girl was around 17 & boy was around 20. doctor checked up both, the girl was pregnant, doctor was asking that guy that didn’t you know that your HIV positive before marriage, firstly he refused to agree that he was knowing. Then doctor got angry & scold him to say the truth. Then he confessed. He was working in diamond business, in surat, he belonged to a small village, when he knew that he was HIV positive, he lost hope to live, but their family members were forcing him to get married.
He was not able to explain that he couldn’t marry, and then he said yes for marriage. After few months his wife became pregnant & he came for regular check up with his wife. Doctor got angry on him very badly, he said that your wife also got infected by HIV , there was maximum possibility for their kid to be born as HIV positive. He said that guy that why you got married? You destroyed your wife’s life. You will be killer of your wife & your kid. I really don’t understand that how can one be this much irresponsible, he knew about his disease, but he was not having enough guts to accept it among others. |
This kind of cases occurs several times. That’s why it’s very important to do check up for HIV test before get married with any girl or guy. It sounds very awkward, yet it must be done by every educated person. Precaution is always better than cure. This is uncured disease, why one should take risk with life.
So, to be an educated and responsible citizen, spread awareness for AIDS. They have equal right to live in society. They are part of it. Let us accept them with smiling face. Many people are innocent; we should not be cruel with them, in this way we are killing them from inside slowly. Give them hope & courage to fight with this disease. Live with them, share your time with them, don’t make them alone or don’t insult them. No one knows that what is in one’s destiny. So, understand AIDS & let’s take hands together to prevent this global threat. We can do that if we desire.
——————————————————–
Source: Internet