Thread: Dec1

http://www.ei-ie.org/efaids/i/logos/aids01.jpg
Play Safe.

Be safe!!

Protect yourself than cursing yourself: Know AIDS

Dec 1st, the world AIDS day is an alarming call to the humanity as concerns about a mysterious and deadly disease known as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) continues sweeping the global population of different age groups since last 20 years. Scientific clues for its cure are still premature, and the number of AIDS patients has been increasing in a geometric sequence particularly in the developing countries where the health facilities are miserable. Despite continued intensive research, experts believe it will be at least a decade before we have a safe, effective, and affordable AIDS vaccine. And even after a vaccine is developed, it will take many years before the millions of people at risk of HIV infection worldwide can be immunized. Until then, other HIV prevention methods, such as practicing safer sex and using sterile syringes, careful blood transfusion will remain critical. In retrospect more awareness campaigns are required in the portion of globe where census shows the increasing number of AIDS’ patients in last one decade.

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) estimates that there are now 40 million people living with HIV or AIDS worldwide, and since the beginning of the epidemic, AIDS has killed more than 25 million people worldwide. In Nepal, since the first report in 1988 the number of AIDS cases increased dramatically, and by 2005 there were more than 800 full-blown and over 4,700 cases of HIV infections. In 2006 the census confirms 1186 full-blown AIDS and 8073 were HIV Positives. Although this figure is not so scary like in some African countries, but still Nepal may require an intense awareness campaign to keep the number low -a prevention is better than care.

I was thinking to answer the question “yauta janmayko bachha lai HIV bhayo bhnay tesma dossh kasko?” since long ago. HIV could transmit either one or many pathways as (1) unprotected sexual intercourse with someone who has HIV (2) unprotected oral sex with someone who has HIV (3) Sharing needles or syringes with someone who is HIV infected. (4) Infection during pregnancy, childbirth, or breast-feeding (mother-to-infant transmission) or (5) through blood transfusions. So, when we ask “dosh kasko?” depends on “kata bata sarayko?” and “tyoo bhanda pani thulo kura ho AIDS ko barema ramro gyan nahunu”; the unawareness of facts about AIDS is the main culprit behind a curtain. I believe no parent in this world would like to bring unhealthy child, where healthy children even suffer from ‘ rat races we confront in the world”. Here, I tried a concise approach to talk about AIDS in the auspicious occasion of the AIDS day, 2006, particularly to eliminate the emerging misconception/s like "..hmm u can get AIDS by sharing food with the person infected with HIV " and others.

When a person is infected with HIV, the virus enters the body and lives and multiplies primarily in the white blood cells (which makes a progressive loss of a specific type of immune cell called T-helper, or CD4, cells) weakening the immune system and leaving the person vulnerable to various opportunistic infections and other illnesses ranging from pneumonia to cancer. The T-cells decline and opportunistic infections that signal AIDS develop soon after infection with HIV. In AIDS patients a CD4 count reach or fall below 200 cells, while in a healthy person CD4 count ranges from 450 to 1200 per cubic millimeter of blood. But despite it most people do not develop symptoms for 10 to 12 years, and a few remain symptom-free for much longer. As with most diseases, early medical care can help prolong a person's life.

Social discard of an AIDS patient is not necessary as the HIV is not an easy virus to pass from one person to another. It is not transmitted through food or air (for instance, by coughing or sneezing). There has never been a case where a person was infected by a household member, relative, co-worker, or friend through casual or everyday contact such as sharing eating utensils or bathroom facilities, or through hugging or kissing (except "French" kissing …lol). Sweat, tears, vomit, feces, and urine do contain HIV, but have not been reported to transmit the disease. Mosquitoes, fleas, and other insects do not transmit HIV.

There is still no cure for AIDS. And while new drugs are helping some people who have HIV live longer, healthier lives. For treatments, a number of drugs are available to treat HIV infection and AIDS. Some of these are designed to treat the opportunistic infections and illnesses that affect people with HIV/AIDS. In addition, several types of drugs seek to prevent HIV itself from reproducing and destroying the body's immune system.

As the prevention, better become aware about all the pathways mentioned above, and if you are sexually active, protect yourself against HIV by practicing safer sex. HIV prevention information for drug users who continue to inject is available online at CDC-IDU & HIV Prevention Issues. ; for more information on AIDS see amfAR ABOUT HIV/AIDS ( this article is written with the excerpts from this link).

hey good info stuff keep up the good work!!

Indeed a good work! its a timely-short-sweet-informative-article on AIDS. I wish it also get published in nepali language. AIDS awareness is very imp for Nepal, where majority do not know about these facts and number of AIDS patients are shooting-up. Thank you guyz

Originally Posted by Nesta

hmm u can get AIDS by sharing food with the person infected with HIV

no those r the myths...

"hmm u can get AIDS by sharing food with the person infected with HIV "......
Actually above line has instigated me to write above brief article. For those who don't have much patience to view the video till it ends.... it could mislead to believe on myth/s....The kind of advertisement actually is not good for net-mass-communication where ppl just flick videos after hearing few secs unless it could drag enough interest to stick on it