How to Stay Safe From AIDS?

Posted on November 12, 2007 in Health-Sex

HIV is Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV attacks CD4 cells or helperT cells – cells in your blood that help your body fight diseases. Well, basically that means it virus destroys the immune system

When these cells are destroyed you get a weaker defense against diseases such as lung infections, lymphoma or cervical cancer. When these conditions develop as a result of the loss of CD4 cells, the person is said to have Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

How does one acquire AIDS?

HIV spreads through contact with blood, semen or other body fluids from a person already infected with HIV. But it won’t spread through saliva.
HIV infections normally happen during sex. A woman can be infected by contact with a man or contact with another woman who are already infected with HIV. When a woman has sex with an infected man, she may get HIV if a condom is not used properly.
HIV infections can also happen when needles are shared with a person infected with HIV.
HIV won’t spread by casual contact such as hugging, kissing, holding hands, sitting on toilet seats or sharing clothing.
Dont use recreational drugs, including alcohol, before and during sexual activity. It protects you against risks such as lowered inhibitions, impaired judgment, and loss of consciousness.

Are Women at High Risk When They are HIV Infected?

HIV infection is similar in men and women. When one is HIV infected, the person’s immune system gradually becomes weaker until it is unable to fight other infections. He or she may have to face infections such as Pneumocystis pneumonia or Kaposi’s sarcoma.

But HIV-infected women often have to face additional problems such as repeated vaginal yeast infections and pelvic inflammatory disease. Diseases of the cervix, such as dysplasia and cancer, progress faster. They are harder to treat.

How to Avoid Getting HIV?

A male latex condom helps prevent a woman from getting or causing HIV infection to her sexual partner. It also protects a woman from Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), such as herpes, gonorrhea, genital warts and syphilis.
A female condom also helps prevent HIV infections. But it is advisable to use a female condom only when a male condom can’t be used.
Injections of medroxyprogesterone acetate and contraceptive implants do not protect a woman from getting HIV infection. They can only protect her from getting pregnancy.
Birth control pills also do not protect against HIV infection.
It can be prevented by never sharing needles, and abstaining, or not having oral, vaginal, or anal sex.
Avoid alcohol and drugs to prevent the spread of HIV. It’s because drinking and drug use often lead to risky behaviors like unprotected sex and sharing infected needles.

How to Avoid the Spread of HIV to Your Babies?

If a mother is HIV infected her baby can get HIV infection during pregnancy, during the birth process and also during breastfeeding. But HIV spread to children can be prevented by giving medicines to pregnant mother and to her baby. Every pregnant woman is advised to go for an HIV test as part of her prenatal care. Even if you are getting pregnant, know more from your doctor about HIV tests for you and your partner.

2 Responses to “How to Stay Safe From AIDS?”

Pratz Says:
December 14th, 2007 at 7:40 pm
A Man has sex without using a condom with three different partners in which none of them are HIV positive will that man acquire AIDS send me a mail
hodgkins Says:
December 31st, 2009 at 6:53 am
Having suffered from lymphoma, this was good to read. Thanks for this.

How to Stay Safe From AIDS?

2 Responses to “How to Stay Safe From AIDS?”

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