What You Need to Know About HIV/AIDS - Ewaoluwa Ogungbire

Are you oblivious about HIV/AIDS or yet still you have no idea why you need to determine your HIV status?
To begin, HIV is known as Human Immunodeficiency Virus and AIDS is Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. The virus belongs to the Human Retroviruses. Retroviruses have the unique trait of transcribing their RNA to DNA upon entry into a cell. Unmanaged HIV leads to AIDS which is the last and severe stage of the infection. The disease can only be managed and not cured as of now.

How is HIV/AIDS Transmitted?

The virus has no vectors and intermediate host. The virus is transmitted through body fluids like; blood, semen, vaginal and anal fluids and breast milk. The virus affects primarily the immune system, specifically CD4 cells (or T cells). The main modes are;

Mother–to- child or Vertical Transmission

The main means by which a foetus or baby can contract HIV from its mother is primarily during pregnancy (transplacental route) in an instance where the mother has been diagnosed positive or in a situation the mother is not able to take medications.
Also, a baby can contract the disease when the baby gets in contact with the mothers blood during vaginal delivery (perinatal route). The labour and delivery period is noted to be the time that there is greater risk of mothers transmitting the virus to the baby. Due to this mothers are sometimes advised to schedule caesarean sections 2 weeks before delivery dates. This reduces the risk of transmission.
Mothers can also transmit the virus through breastfeeding (postnatal).WHO now recommends that mothers can breastfeed the babies for the first 12months as long as they take their medications and the baby is also given medication.

Explicit Sexual Behaviour

The alarming rate of immoral/implicit sexual behaviours during this age and time I believe is the cause of the increasing rates of HIV positive patients in Ghana today. Anal sex which is common between gay partners is known to be one of the “riskiest and easiest” sexual behaviour for contracting the virus. This due to the fact that the mucous membrane lining the anus is very delicate and gets damaged easily making it easy for the virus to move to the bloodstream should it be bruised.
In addition, vaginal intercourse is of low risk as compare to anal sex and this is based on the fact that the membrane is less delicate. You can contract the virus should you have unprotected sex.
Note: Oral sex possesses a risk of contracting when the person giving the oral sex has mouth ulcers, or bleeding gums.

Occupational Exposure

Health professionals are at high risk of being exposed to the virus and sometimes “orderlies” who work in the hospitals. Health professionals get exposed through accidental pricking. People who discard refuse (orderlies) can get pricked with theses used syringes during work.
Research shows that the virus can stay in the syringe for some time should conditions such as; lower temperature, greater volumes of blood in the syringe are present.

Sharing Needles to Inject Drugs.

This is usually common among drug addicts, and it has an increased rate of being exposed to the HIV virus.

Transfused Blood

This is less common now since most blood products are now thoroughly screened before transfusion.
It is relevant to note that hugging, giving handshakes, eating and sharing lavatory with HIV positive patient doesn’t transmit the virus.

How Can HIV/AIDS be Prevented?

Years ago countries like Uganda, Congo etc. had very alarming numbers of HIV positive patients/individuals in their countries which generally led to the basic ‘ABC’ of HIV prevention. The ‘ABC’ of preventing HIV was strongly advocated for and a lot of education was done.
The A stands for Abstinence. This is to say that the key point to avoid contracting HIV is to abstain from all sexual activities.
The B is for Being faithful to your partner.
The C is for using Condom: If you can’t abstain and stay faithful to one partner, please you are advised to use condoms whenever engaging in sexual activities. Luckily the prices of condoms are not expensive and are even given free at certain gatherings.
Apart from the basic preventive measures, you can also prevent your risk of infection by

1. Visiting your health facility to take in Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) or Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP).The former is suitable for persons; having HIV positive partners, heterosexuals and persons having unprotected sex with multiple partners whose statuses are unknown. PEP’s must be started within 72hrs of exposure.
2. Aside the use of condoms, you can also purchase lubricants or ‘lube’ to reduce wear and tear of the vaginal or anus.
3. Use dental dams to cover the mouth lining during oral sex.
4. Proper disposal of used syringes in the hospitals.

How is HIV/AIDS Managed?

After testing positive for HIV, it is imperative to take good care of yourself. The detection of HIV is not a death sentence, there is hope after testing positive. Below are some key steps to take to insure the disease is managed.
√ An HIV positive patient must make sure he/she takes his/her medications “religiously”.
√ A balanced diet is needed for all individual and especially in a disease state. It is needful that patients eat well and take good care of themselves.
√ It’s known that one fast killer of most HIV positive individuals is stigmatization. To be able to live long even as you are on medication, its prudent not to let societal stigmatization get to you. Stay positive.
√ Last but not the least, always make sure to check your CD4 count and Viral Load regularly as and when requested. Luckily, these tests are free.

My Last Words

Its bad enough that people are dying of AIDS but no one should die of ignorance  – ELIZABETH TAYLOR