3. ―Today we have a far more reliable estimate
of the burden of HIV in India,‖ said the
Indian Health Minister, Anbumani
Ramadoss. He did however warn of
complacency, as ―in terms of human lives
affected, the numbers are still large, in fact
very large‖.Let’s watch out for the HIV
patients in other countries and learn to know
how to prevent this disease.
4. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
is a chronic, life-threatening disease caused by a
virus called human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV). The virus and the infection are known as
HIV. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a
term used to refer to the later stages of the
infection.
Your body’s Immune System protects you from
diseases. But when the HIV virus attacks your
body’s Immune System it damages and/or
destroys the Cells of your Immune System
making you easily prone to various infections.
Your body loses its ability to fight off
viruses, bacteria and fungi that cause infections
and disease.
5.
6. Causes of HIV
HIV spreads through contact with an
infected person or through blood when
you share a needle used by an infected
person for injecting yourself with
drugs.
Most commonly, the virus passes from
person to person through body fluids
such as blood, vaginal fluids and
Semen.
7. Babies born to infected mothers are also at a
high risk of getting infected during
pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding.
But if women receive treatment for HIV
infection during pregnancy, the risk to their
babies is significantly reduced.
8. United States 3.4%
Congo 3.1%
Russia 2.8%
Zambia 2.8%
Malawi 2.6%
China 2.1%
Brazil 1.9%
Cameroon 1.7%
Thailand 1.5%
Côte d'Ivoire 1.3%
Ukraine 1%
India 6.9%..........
9.
10. Who is at risk?
If you feel you may be at risk (see Box), get
yourself screened to rule out the possibility.
Most HIV antibody tests done are accurate if
they are done 3–6 months or even longer
after you think you may have been infected.
It takes this long for the antibodies to appear
in the blood. HIV cannot survive for long
outside your body. It needs mediums to get
into your body like semen, vaginal fluids
and/or blood.
11.
12. Signs and symptoms
The symptoms of HIV and AIDS
differ, depending on the stage of
the infection. Initially with HIV,
there may be no symptoms at all,
although one of the most common
symptoms is mild fever 3–6 weeks
after getting infected. Sometimes
symptoms can show up after 8 or
9 years or more. Some of the
symptoms of HIV infection are
fever, sore throat, headache,
swollen lymph glands, rash,
cough, diarrhea and weight loss.
13.
14. You cannot get HIV by:
Casual contact such as
touching, embracing or
shaking hands with an
infected person.
Mosquito
or other Sharing a soap or
insect towel.
bites.
Using a public
swimming pool.
15.
16. Complications of HIV
Because of the damage HIV can
cause to your immune system,
you will be more prone to various
fungal, bacterial, viral and
parasitic infections. Cancer is also
a possibility. However, with
recent advances in medicine and
research on the subject, the
available treatment options play a
major role in reducing the
incidence of various opportunistic
infections such a Pneumonia or
Meningitis.
17.
18. Preventing HIV
As with most other diseases, the
mantra to avoid getting infected
with HIV is prevention. There is
no vaccine to prevent HIV
infection and no cure for AIDS.
Do not indulge in activities that
will allow HIV-infected fluids
such as blood, semen, vaginal
secretions.
19.
20. Keep your family
doctor informed
about your HIV Do not donate
status. This will blood as this can
help your doctor spread the virus
provide you the to others.
best possible care.
21. Do not smoke or consume alcohol as this can
weaken your body further.
22.
23. Exercise Keep your
regularly and hands
get enough clean
sleep. This will always by
keep your body washing
strong and them
boost your thoroughly
Immune with soap
System. Take enough care when and water.
you are with your pets.
Some animals may carry
parasites that can cause
infections in people who
are HIV positive.
24.
25. Finally…
It is not easy to receive a diagnosis of
being HIV positive—it is devastating.
But the situation today is unlike the one
that existed 30 years ago.
Treatment options are better, support
groups are many and quality of life can
be better with proper treatment.
So, live your life to the fullest and lend a
soothing hand to others like you who
also yearn for support and solace.
