HIV and AIDS Forum - Causes And Effects of Hiv

What is AIDS?

It is Acquired
Immune
Deficiency
Syndrome

AIDS is an infectious disease spread by a virus. It is called syndrome because it consists of several signs and symptoms. The first cases of AIDS were diagnosed in 1981. Since then there has been a rapid spread of the disease in North and South America, Europe and Africa. Cases are being reported from around the world, most countries now have people with AIDS, or infected with the virus.

What is HIV?
It is Human
Immune Deficiency
Virus

HIV is a retrovirus, a group of virus that is still largely unknown. HIV was first described in 1983 in Paris. It has had several names during its short history, but HIV has now been accepted internationally.
The virus enters the T-helper cells of the immune system. In the cells it destroys genetics material, and the damage is permanent. All body fluids contain T-helper cells. The concentration is high in BLOOD, SEMEN and VAGINAL SECRETION.
Who is a Carrier?
Anybody who has the virus is a carrier and can infect others. Very often the person does not know the she/he is a carrier. She/he has no symptoms of disease and the person who infected her/him may have had no symptoms, either.
A person can be a carrier unknowingly for many years before the virus has destroy so much of the immune system that she/he falls ill. Some months after the infection the body has produced anti-bodies to the virus. These can be detected by a special test.

How does the Virus Spread?
AIDS is spread when blood, semen or vaginal secretion of an infected person come in contact with the blood or mucous membranes of a healthy person.
The virus is not very active so the concentration of the virus in the fluid must be high to cause infection. Or the person must be exposed to infection several times. The virus is spread
- by sexual intercourse (homosexual or heterosexual), when one of the partner is infected
- by contaminated needles and syringes
- by transformation of infected blood
- by an infected mother to her unborn child

How is the Virus not Spread?
The virus is not spread through everyday social contact such as
- shaking hands
- living together
- playing together
- eating together
It is not spread by
- food
- water
- communion
- insects
- toilet seats

How to Prevent the Spread of AIDS?
There is no vaccine against AIDS. HEALTH EDUCATION is very important. Everybody should know how to protect themselves from infection, by living responsibly. The whole community should be involved.
Who should be Informed?
· Everybody;
- Women
- Men
- School children

AIDS and Pregnancy
AIDS can be spread from the mother to her unborn child during pregnancy or delivery. A pregnancy might cause the onset of symptoms of AIDS. A woman who knows or suspect that she is an HIV-carrier should avoid becoming pregnant.
Some hospitals can make a test to find out if a person is infected. A woman who is unsure and wants a baby should try to have a test first, if she lives in an area with many persona with AIDS.
Does AIDS Spread through Breast-feeding?
The virus has been found in breast-milk in low concentrations. It is not yet known if the small amount of virus in the milk can infect the baby. Many women do not know if they are infected or not.
Since the risks of bottle-feeding are well-known, while the risks of breast-feeding by an infected mother remain unproven breast-feeding should always be encouraged.

AIDS and Immunizations
To immunize, syringes and needles are used. These can be a source of infection. Every child should be immunized with a sterile needle syringe. Make sure that they are boiled for 20minutes.
Where disposable needles are used, they should be put into a closed container and buried later. Blood should not be aspirated into the needle and syringe.
The risk of AIDS through immunization programmes is nil as long as needles and syringes are adequately sterilized.

What the HIV-carrier should know
Persons who suspect or know that they are HIV-carrier should:
· avoid being reinfected by the AIDS virus
· avoid spreading the infection by
- not having sexual intercourse or
- using a condom (remembering, though, that many countries have reported the condom to have a failure rate of at least 10%)
- washing their soiled linen or clothes themselves
- not given blood for transmission
· treat other infections as
- tuberculosis
- venereal disease etc.
How to Care for a Person with AIDS
Remember that these people are in need of social contact and support, just as we are. Their skin or breathing does not transmit the infection and they need physical and psychological closeness, as all of us do.
They may know they have a deadly disease, especially once they know the diagnosis. This can cause fear, anxiety and anger. Health personnel and relatives need to be prepared for this. People with AIDS need time and help to struggle with these feelings. They need somebody who is prepared to listen and support them. They need to be encouraged to continue to live and take part in daily activities, as much as they can.
Perhaps they want to talk to a pastor or counselor, or someone else, who can give them spiritual and emotional reassurance. The health worker should encourage this and help arrange it.

Self-care of Health Personnel
The risk of health personnel getting AIDS through their work is very low. It is important that health workers protect themselves from unnecessary exposure to infection. Handling instruments which have been in contact with infected blood should be done with care. If possible, gloves should be used, and then sterilized.
During operations extra long gloves or special arm covers of plastic might be needed, and then sterilized. There is no need to wear special coast, masks or gloves while being with the patient, giving nursing care.