Georgian

 

HIV/AIDS

Majority of people think that HIV/AIDS is not his/her concern. Millions of other people, currently diagnosed with this infection thought the same way. They did not know about this disease and had no means to protect themselves. You can now!

What are HIV and AIDS?

Some think these two terms stand for the same disease. HIV, or in full Human Immune deficit Virus (leading to AIDS) after contaminating the human body damages his/her immune system. This virus spreads an infection within the body and it is referred to as the HIV infection.

Immune system represents major protection system of the human, which protects him/her from various infections. After the immune system gets deteriorated the person becomes vulnerable towards any infection, that may ultimately lead to death.

This particular condition, when the human immune system is deteriorated and as a result the individual is vulnerable towards any infection is called AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficit Syndrome).

In other words, AIDS is the last phase of HIV. Process of HIV development is rather slow. It may last about 3-10 years (and maybe more). HIV, i.e. virus leading to AIDS may be transmitted through blood, sperm, vaginal drips and mother’s milk.

HIV Transmission Methods:

    • If using tooth brush of the infected person;
    • If using infected person’s shave;
    • While getting a tattoo;
    • During unprotected (without using condoms) sex - be it vaginal, oral and especially anal both in the case of heterosexual (man with woman) and homosexual (man with man);
    • While using unsterile medical instruments;
    • While using shared syringes and needles for medical purposes;
    • While injection drug use if shared syringe, needle, filter, jar for substance is used;
    • While pregnancy, labors and breastfeeding from infected mother to her child.

HIV is not transmitted in the following cases:

    • If using somebody else’s personal hygiene items, like a towel, bed linen, clothes (except of the shave and tooth brush);
    • Common household items (tableware, bathroom utensils, towels, etc.);
    • By shaking hands, coughing, sneezing;
    • By kissing, cuddling.

HIV/AIDS Development and Signs

Within several years (on average from 3 to 10 years) after the virus enters a person’s body s/he - as a rule, has no sign of illness. Within this period the person is virus carrier, i.e. HIV infected. From the first day of infection s/he may transmit the virus to somebody else. In some cases slight symptoms (diarrhea, increased body temperature, weight loss, and extended lymphoid commons) may appear within the first 2-3 months, which usually pass away by themselves thus getting little attention of the person. At the last – i.e. AIDS phase of the disease the immune system of the person gets so deteriorated that various carcinogenic and infectious diseases develop easily, inter alia including tuberculosis (TB). How can a person know whether s/he is infected?

Interested person needs to get special test done on HIV/AIDS. Blood (3-5 ml) is taken from vein and the result will tell.

Test Timing

It is hard to identify the HIV within the initial period of time. Thus, to make sure the test is accurate to allow at least 3 months from the moment of the risk associate action (unprotected sex, shared syringe or needle, etc.).

What do negative and positive test results mean?

Negative is the test response when a person is not infected (though if within 3 months prior to the test a risk associated action happened – e.g. unprotected sex, shared syringe or needle used, another test needs to be done to verify its accuracy 3 months after the risk associated activity).

Positive is the test when a person is HIV infected. In such a case s/he is informed about the available social and medical services to get consultations and treatment.

If the test result is unclear, it means that blood test did not give a clear result and repeated HIV test needs to be taken in 2 months’ time.

Why is it better for a person to know about his/her HIV status – infected or not?

In any case, when a person knows whether s/he is infected with HIV (leading to AIDS) it is better for him/her and his/her close relatives. Infected person should take sound consideration of his/her actions (casual sex, drug usage), to avoid repeated contamination with the infection. If a person gets HIV infected the second time, the disease progresses with more acute forms. Besides, it is important for other people’s health and safety – when the infected person knows about his/her status, s/he will care for the health of his/her close relatives.

Can AIDS be treated?

At present there is no effective treatment available for HIV/AIDS. Full recovery of these diseases is not possible. However, there are medication that to a certain extent hamper further development of the disease and prolong life expectancy of the infected person. These medication are quite costly and require consistent consumption.

If a person wants to avoid getting HIV (leading to AIDS) infected, s/he:

    • Should never use somebody else’s used tooth brush and shave!
    • Always use condoms during casual sex!
    • Needles for tattooing should by all means be sterilized;
    • Never use somebody else’s used needle and syringe for medical purposes!
    • If a person is a drug user, s/he should never use somebody else’s injection means (needle, syringe, filter, jar) for making a shot!
    • If you are a drug user and have to use somebody else’s injection instruments, make sure you sterilize them – put the needle, syringe and the jar in 10 per cent chlorine disinfection substance for 30 minutes. In addition, put the disbanded syringe (with a needle being disconnected) in the said substance. Alternatively, another method of sterilization may be used – injection instruments should be put in the boiling water for 45 minutes!

What should a person do if somebody else’s needle is pricked accidentally?

In such a case HIV infection risk is comparatively lower. However, the person may get infected with Hepatitis B and C. If a person accidentally pricks somebody else’s needle, s/he should try to press the area and get the blood out, and then clean it with 70 per cent spirit (or perfume). Chlorine containing substance may not be used for disinfecting the area.

Now, when one knows methods of HIV/AIDS transmission methods, it is clear that by adhering to basic rules one may avoid being infected. It also becomes clear, that HIV infected people are not dangerous to the society – safety measures need to be taken. Remember! They need support and compassion. On the other hand, an infected person should always try to avoid becoming the transmission route for the disease. Remember! Only you can protect yourself!