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