HIV AWARENESS

HIV although deadly when mismanaged, it is not a death sentence. Various measures have been put in place to ensure longevity of lives of people living with HIV/AIDS.The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a retrovirus which contains RNA molecule which is enclosed by coat like structure called Capsid.

HIV being an obligate intracellular entity requires a living host for its sustainability. HIV once introduced into the body system attacks the body's immune system (this includes white blood cells and other cells containing CD4-receptors).

Once the virus binds with these CD4-receptors, they enter the white blood cell turning it into a "virus producing factory". This slowly destroys the body's immune system rendering it susceptible to opportunistic infections that rarely affect healthy people.

Ways of contracting the virus :

⚡Body Fluids:

HIV once in the body can be traced in blood, semen, vaginal fluid and breast milk. Hence it can be contacted by having unprotected sexual intercourse, oral sex and breast feeding

⚡ Using contaminated Instrument:

Sharing contaminated instrument such as needle, blade, etc can lead to the transmission of the virus from an infected person to a non-infected person.

⚡HIV can be transferred from an already infected mother to child during pregnancy, child birth and breast feeding

⚡ HIV can be transferred via blood transfusion from an infected person to a non infected person

⚡Contact of infected blood to broken skin of a non-infected person can lead to the transmission of the virus.

It's is also inportant to note that HIV can note be transmitted via the following ways

1.By air or food

2.Sexual activities that don't involve body fluid

3. Social greetings such as handshake, hugs and kisses

4. Mosquito or insect bite

SYMPTOMS

Within a few weeks of HIV infection, flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat and fatigue can occur. Then the disease is usually asymptomatic(no sign is observed) until it progresses to AIDS. AIDS symptoms include weight loss, fever or night sweats, fatigue and recurrent infections.

People may experience:

Abdominal pain

Pain may occur while swallowing and sore throat

Dry cough

The individual easily gets tired, frequent fever, No appetite to eat food, night sweats, Nausea , vomiting , persistent diarrhea, Sores and swellings around groin area(between thigh and private area)

Also common:opportunistic infection, headache, oral thrush, pneumonia, red blotches, skin rash, swollen lymph nodes.

What is the treatment for HIV?

The treatment for HIV is called antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART involves taking a combination of HIV medicines (called an HIV treatment regimen) every day.

ART is recommended for everyone who has HIV.

ART can’t cure HIV, but HIV medicines help people with HIV live longer, healthier lives.

ART also reduces the risk of HIV transmission.

PREVENTION OF HIV/AIDS

* Abstinence

HIV is a sexually transmitted disease. Hence, the best way to prevent it is by abstinence, which is abstaining from sex. It is the only 100% way to avoid HIV.

* Employ Sex Ethics

- do not have multiple sexual partners.

- use condoms the right way.

- get tested for STDs regularly as having other STDs makes you more likely to get HIV

- if you have an HIV positive partner, he/she can get on an HIV treatment called ART(Antiretroviral Therapy).

- some pills such as PrEP and PEP can help prevent HIV too.

PrEP means pre-exposure prophylaxis. It's taken once a day but may not be suitable for everyone. It is therefore advisable to see a doctor before taking it.

PEP means post-exposure prophylaxis. It's a series of pills taken after exposure to HIV. PEP is taken within 72 hours of exposure, the earlier the better.

Now, all of these sex ethics only help to lower or reduce your chances of getting HIV. They do not account for 100% prevention as in abstinence, hence, abstinence is still the best.

WORTHY OF NOTE

* Mothers infected with HIV have been advised by WHO to breastfeed their child while taking antiretroviral medicines even though breast milk is one of the means of contacting HIV. According to WHO, this is better than subjecting the infant to malnutrition, diarrhoea and pneumonia if not exclusively breastfed.

* HIV can also be gotten through contact with blood of an infected person. Hence, it is best to avoid sharing needles, hair clippers during barbing, razor blades, tooth brushes and other personal belongings.

For questions and comments ,send a mail via the home page or u can reach any of the team members via whatsapp or through phone calls(check the team's page for contacts)..there's always someone to help and listen to you.

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HIV AWARENESS BY THE APOTHECARIES .pdf

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By: Igwe Vincent,Onuwabahgbe Joel and Noma-Idahosa Rhema