| HIV is an abbreviation for Human | | | | are at high risk to get HIV.c. HIV can be |
| Immunodeficiency Virus. Acquired | | | | transmitted from a mother to a child either |
| Immunodeficiency Syndrome or AIDS as it is | | | | in the womb, during childbirth or duing |
| generally called, is the result of this | | | | breast-feeding. The chances of this happening |
| virus. When a person has AIDS, the immune | | | | have been reduced with drugs and other |
| system gradually break downs. The patient | | | | procedures. |
| then becomes highly susceptible to infections | | | | |
| and illnesses, which could even, be fatal. | | | | Some of the early symptoms include sinusitis, |
| History dates its origin to June 5th 1981 in | | | | bronchitis, otitis, pharyngitis, weight loss, |
| Los Angeles where the virus was found in five | | | | dry cough, unexplained fatigue, unusual |
| homosexual men. It was then called GRID or | | | | blemishes on the tongue, herpes zoster and |
| Gay-Related Immune Deficiency because people | | | | oral ulcerations. During the more advanced |
| thought it only affected homosexual people. | | | | stages patients may have chronic diarrhea, |
| This theory was soon blown to pieces when | | | | continuous fever, extreme weight loss, oral |
| cases were reported from all over. Today, | | | | hairy leukoplakia and candidiasis and |
| AIDS has reached epidemic proportions. It has | | | | pulmonary tuberculosis. |
| plagued most countries around the world and | | | | |
| is considered a highly dangerous disease. | | | | It is extremely important for people to be |
| | | | tested for HIV. In some communities, partners |
| To gain a better understanding of HIV, we | | | | are required to take the HIV test prior to |
| must first explore how it is transmitted.a. | | | | marriage. This is because it not only affects |
| HIV is a sexually transmitted disease. What | | | | the infected individual but also can spread |
| does this mean? The mucous membrane lines | | | | to the spouse and the unborn child. It is |
| different parts of the body such as the lips, | | | | difficult telling someone you love that you |
| genital areas, nostrils etc. When the mucous | | | | have AIDS. However, is very vital for their |
| membrane comes in contact with sexual | | | | health and safety. |
| secretions of an infected HIV patient, the | | | | |
| virus transfers from one to another. This is | | | | Doctors, nurses and Medicare professionals |
| why the main cause for the spread of AIDS is | | | | are also exposed to this virus as they deal |
| unprotected sexual intercourse.b. HIV is also | | | | with syringes and needles on a daily basis. |
| transmitted through infected blood. | | | | If you have AIDS and if you are looking for a |
| Therefore, one has to take extreme precaution | | | | doctor, then do some preliminary research on |
| when undergoing blood transfusions. It is | | | | the doctor before you meet him or her. The |
| always advisable to go to a reputed hospital | | | | doctor should be reliable and must be aware |
| or clinic where infected syringes are not | | | | of the nuances of the field. You should |
| used. Intravenous drug users and hemophiliacs | | | | choose a doctor who you are comfortable with. |