35 facts about HIV/AIDS we often forget

by Dr Jimade Ola-Solomon

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Being diagnosed with HIV does NOT mean a person will also be diagnosed with AIDS. Healthcare professionals diagnose AIDS only when people with HIV disease begin to get severe opportunistic infections or their CD4 counts fall below a certain level

Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a lot like other viruses, including those that cause the “flu” or the common cold. But there is an important difference – over time, your immune system can clear most viruses out of your body. That isn’t the case with HIV – the human immune system can’t seem to get rid of it. Scientists are still trying to figure out why.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome is the final stage of HIV infection. People at this stage of HIV disease have badly damaged immune systems, which put them at risk for opportunistic infections.

Do all people with HIV have AIDS?

No. Being diagnosed with HIV does NOT mean a person will also be diagnosed with AIDS. Healthcare professionals diagnose AIDS only when people with HIV disease begin to get severe opportunistic infections or their CD4 counts fall below a certain level

How is HIV transmitted?

HIV is transmitted through exchange of body fluids, HIV is found in specific human body fluids. If any of those fluids enter your body, you can become infected with HIV

We know that the following fluids can contain high levels of HIV:

Blood
Semen (cum)
Pre-seminal fluid (pre-cum)
Breast milk
Vaginal fluids
Rectal (anal) mucous

HIV is transmitted primarily via unprotected sexual intercourse (including anal and even oral sex), contaminated blood transfusions, organ transplant, hypodermic needles, and from mother to child during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding.

Can I get or transmit—HIV through oral sex?

It’s possible. The risks are much lower than for anal or vaginal sex, but there have been cases of HIV infection traced to oral sex.

Can I get AIDS from sharing a cup or shaking hands with someone who has HIV or AIDS?

HIV is found only in body fluids, so you can’t get HIV by shaking someone’s hand or giving them a hug (or by using the same toilet or towel). While HIV is found in saliva, sharing cups or utensils has never been shown to transmit HIV.

Can I get HIV from an insect bite?

No. HIV can’t live or reproduce in insects, so you can’t get HIV from a mosquito bite.

Can I get HIV from kissing?

NO .Transmission though kissing on the mouth carries virtually no risk; no evidence has been found that the virus is spread through saliva by kissing.

Can HIV only affect certain risk groups like gay men or people who inject drugs?

No. Anyone who has unprotected sex with a person living with HIV can become infected. Similarly if HIV is present and someone shares contaminated injecting equipment with a person infected with HIV, or has a transfusion with contaminated blood they can become infected with HIV. Infants can be infected with HIV from their mothers during pregnancy, during labor or after delivery through breastfeeding.

What is the risk of getting HIV through body piercing or from a tattoo?

A risk of HIV transmission exists if non-sterile instruments are used. Instruments that penetrate the skin should be sterilized, used once, then disposed of or sterilized again.

Does male circumcision prevent HIV transmission?

Male circumcision reduces the likelihood of men acquiring HIV in unprotected sex. It only reduces, but does not eliminate, the risk of acquiring HIV though sex

HOW TO PREVENT YOURSELF AND OTHERS FROM GETTING HIV

 Abstain from sex
 Remain faithful in a relationship with an uninfected equally faithful partner with no other risk behavior such as injecting drug use
 Use male or female condoms correctly each time you have sex.
 Use a new condom every time you have sex.
 Tell your sexual partners if you have HIV.
 Never share needles.
 Use a new, sterile syringe (obtained from a reliable source, like a chemist ) to prepare and inject drugs each time.
 Use a fresh alcohol swab to clean the skin prior to injection
 Be sure to disinfect your clippers and sharp objects
 Use post exposure prophylaxis when you are exposed to a suspected positive individual
 Before receiving blood transfusion, ensure proper screening of the potential donor

How can mother-to-child transmission be prevented?

Transmission of HIV from an infected mother to her child can occur during pregnancy, labour or after delivery through breastfeeding. The risk of mother-to-child transmission can be significantly reduced by:

 A short treatment of antiretroviral drugs administered to the pregnant mother before the birth and to the child after birth
 Caesarian section birth
 Seek advice from a health professional on breastfeeding. If possible avoid breastfeeding if you are living with HIV but only when replacement feeding is acceptable, feasible, affordable, sustainable and safe.

What If You Have HIV/AIDS?

 Consult a health care provider who has experience treating HIV/AIDS.
 Inform sex partner(s) who may also be infected.
 Protect your sex partner(s) from HIV by following safer sex guidelines.
 Do not share needles or sharp objects
 Get psychological support with a therapist and/or join a support group for people with HIV/AIDS.
 Get information and social and legal support from an HIV/AIDS service organization.
 Don’t share your HIV status with people who do not need to know. People with HIV may still face discrimination. Only tell people you can count on for support.
Maintain a strong immune system with regular medical checkups and a healthy lifestyle:
 Eat well.
 Get enough rest and exercise.
 Avoid illegal or recreational drugs, including alcohol and tobacco.
 Learn how to manage stress effectively.
 Consider using medicines that may slow the progress of the infection.

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Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija.

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