Hiv/ aids

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Meaning of HIV/AIDS

One of the most frightening of all STDs is Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). It is caused by a virus called Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
HIV is the type of virus which destroys the system and makes it easy for diseases to attack it. HIV can be contracted through the following ways:

(i) Sexual intercourse

(ii) Blood transfusion

(iii) Share of a needle with an HIV/AIDS patient during injection.

(iv) Sharing of any sharp object like razor blade, pin with infected person.

(v) Blood contact with blood of a person with HIV/AIDS through a cut.

(vi) Using the same toothbrush with an infected person.

How HIV is not spread

(i) By sharing food, touching, hugging and shaking hands, carrying, sitting close to people who have HIV/AIDS.

(ii) Sharing toilets or latrines

(iii) Mosquitoes or other insects do not transmit HIV/AIDS.

Symptoms/Signs of HIV/AIDS

(i) The patient has prolonged headache and high temperature with fever.

(ii) There is loss of appetite by the patient

(iii) The patient usually feels weak for any hard work.

(iv) The patient may have bulging stomach and suffer frequent stooling.

(v) The patient losses hair on the head.

(vi) Loss of weight.

(vii) In some cases the patient coughs frequently.

(viii) Some patients develop rashes and boils all over the body.

(ix) An HIV/AIDS patient becomes dried up when the infection becomes more pronounced.

(x) Death is the final result.

Prevention of HIV/AIDS

(i) Abstain from pre-marital sex.

(ii) Mothers with HIV are advised not to breastfeed their babies.

(iii) Always insist on screened blood and ensure a new needle is used for each injection.

(iv) Avoid sharing sharp objects (e.g. needles, razors, and clippers) at salons.

(v) Do not share toothbrushes with people.

At the moment, there is no known cure for HIV/AIDS. However,

1.   Good balanced diet can help reduce the effect of the virus.

2.   The patient needs comfort and counseling from the people around him/her.

3.   Antibiotics and other medicines can help people with HIV/AIDS to feel much better and to live longer.

Management of Persons with HIV/AIDS

The following guidelines are helpful in caring for an HIV/AIDS patient:

(i) Provide a home where there is peace, rest, love and acceptance.

(ii) Help them with household work so that they can have time to rest.

(iii) Make them eat nutritious food

(iv) Give them love and support.

(v)  Share their financial burden.

(vi) Wash their clothes and sheet.

(vii) Pay them regular visits.

(viii) Nurse them.

EVALUATION

1.   Define HIV/AIDS.

2.   Outline five ways through which HIV can be contracted.

3.   Enumerate five symptoms of HIV infection.

4.   State five ways of managing people living with HIV/AIDS