All About AIDS

The numbers are scary. An estimated 3 million people have died of it worldwide and nearly 34 million people are currently living with it. Yes we are talking of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) that dreaded disease that has become an enigma for modern medicine.
What is HIV?

HIV stands for "human immunodeficiency virus" — the virus that causes AIDS. It is only a blood test that can reveal whether you are infected with the virus or not. Remember that this virus can stay dormant for quite sometime even after it is contracted.
What is AIDS?

AIDS is a result of the HIV virus. It is not a disease but a weakness in the body that results in the body being unable to fight off illnesses. The immune system of a person with AIDS is weakened to such a point that medical intervention is necessary to prevent or treat the deterioration in the body and the entire system.
How can I get it?

There are many ways by which you can contact the AIDS virus. Here are some common ways:

* Unprotected sex: This is the most common reason for contracting the AIDS virus. If your partner is infected with this virus then it can enter your system too through the lining of the vagina, vulva, penis, rectum or mouth during sex. However, kissing or hugging will not result in AIDS.
* Through the blood: The second most common way is through blood. AIDS can be contracted through blood transfusions where the blood or its components are contaminated. Even today there are many hospitals that do not follow the safety standards outlined for donating blood and the end result is that infected blood may get passed on to someone else.
* Another common cause is the sharing of needles. When a person uses the same needle that has been used by a HIV infected person then the virus is transferred through the needle. This is commonly seen in drug users and using disposable needles is a viable alternative to this.
* An infected pregnant mother can give the virus to her baby. The chances of the baby getting infected when in the womb or during the birth are high if the mother is infected. It can also spread through the breast milk of a nursing mother.

Myths about AIDS

Remember that HIV and AIDS is not spread by kissing, sweating, urine, tears, sharing of food or food utensils, the swimming pool, telephones or toilet seats. Nor is it spread through the bite of mosquitoes or other bugs. It is the result of our own careless behavior so take care when it comes to any of the above given causes.
What are the symptoms?

Here are a few common symptoms, which may show up when a person gets infected. However, having any of them in isolation does not mean that you have an AIDS or HIV infection. One needs to get a special blood test done to check out the presence of the HIV virus.

* Rapid weight loss and vision loss
* Severe headaches, nausea and vomiting
* Abdominal cramps
* Painful conjunctivitis (pink eye)
* Ear infections
* Dry cough
* Recurring fever, pneumonia or profuse night sweating
* Profound and unexplained fatigue
* Swollen lymph glands in the armpits, groin, or neck
* Diarrhoea that lasts for more than a week
* Red, brown, pink, white or purplish blotches on or under the skin or inside the mouth, nose, under the tongue, in the throat or eyelids
* Memory loss, depression, lack of coordination and other neurological disorders
* Shortness of breath
* Seizures

How can I prevent myself from being a victim?

Since prevention has always been better than cure the best thing is to follow the following guidelines.

* Never have unprotected sex. Always use condoms.
* Never share needles. Always use disposable syringes.
* When in need of blood transfusions check that the blood has been tested for HIV and AIDS.
* Refrain from having more than one sexual partner.
* Don’t use drugs, alcohol and other intoxicants before sex as it leads to carelessness.

Finally, remember that AIDS is a deadly disease but with a little bit of care and foresight you can avoid it.