Hiv/aids

Frequently asked questions about HIV/AIDS
1• What is HIV and how is it transmitted?

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus and it is the virus that causes AIDS. People with HIV have what is called HIV infection. The most common ways that HIV is transmitted
are by having unprotected sexual intercourse with an HIV infected person, by sharing needles or injection equipment with aninjecting drug user who is infected with HIV, from HIV infected women to their babies during pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding and finally through transfusions of infected blood. HIV is not transmitted through normal, day-to-day contact.

2• What is AIDS? What causes AIDS?

AIDS – the Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome – is the late stage of infection caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus(HIV). A person who is infected with HIV can look and feel healthy for a long time before signs of AIDS appear. But HIV weakens the body's defense (immune) system until it can no longer fight off infections such as pneumonia, diarrhea, tumours, cancers and other illnesses. Today there are medical treatments that can slow down the rate at which HIV weakens the immune system (anti-retroviraltreatment). There are other treatments that can prevent or cure some of the illnesses associated with AIDS, though the treatments do not cure AIDS itself. As with other diseases, early detection offers more options for treatment and preventative
health care.

3• Can I get AIDS from "casual contact" with an infected person?

No. This means that it is OK to play sports and work together, shake hands,hug friends or kiss them on the cheek or hands, sleep in the same room, breathe the same air, share drinking and eating utensils and towels, use the same showers or toilets, use the same washing water and swim in the same swimming pool. You cannot get infected through spitting, sneezing or coughing or through tears or sweat, or through bites from mosquitoes or other insects.

4• Can someoneinfected with HIV look healthy?

There is no way of knowing whether someone is infected just by looking at them. A man or woman you meet at work, at school, in a sports stadium; in a bar or on the street might be carrying HIV – and look completely healthy. But during this time of apparent health, he or she can infect someone else.
Σ 5• Is there a cure for HIV/AIDS ?
There is no cure for HIV/AIDS.Although some very strong drugs are now being used to slow down the disease, they do not get rid of HIV or cure AIDS. The drug treatments are
called Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapies (HAART). They are a mix of drugs that help to reduce the level of HIV in the blood. HAART can help to slow down HIV and keep some people healthy longer. Even though HAART work better than anything else so far,they do have some problems. They do not work for all people and it is not sure how well they will work over time, considering their high price and significant adverse effects.

6• What should I do to protect myself from HIV?

Since there is no vaccine to protect people against getting infected with HIV, and there is no cure for AIDS the only certain way to avoid AIDS is to prevent gettinginfected
with HIV in the first place. The best prevention method is the adoption of safe sex behaviour. Safe sex includes using a condom – but, using a condom correctly, and using one every time you have sex. You should learn how to use condoms and how to negotiate the use of condoms with your partner. For information about effective and healthy use of condoms, you should consult health services foryoung people and pharmacies.

8• What should I do if I think I might already have HIV?

If you think you might have HIV, or if you have had unprotected sex, you should ask your physician about getting an HIV blood test and some counselling. If you prefer to check it
out yourself, many cities have testing centres where you can get an HIV test and some good confidential counselling.
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