Education related to awareness on AIDS and HIV

Controlling the spread of HIV infection and AIDS requires the promotion of individual behaviors that eliminate the risk of acquiring and spreading of virus. Message must be given to the public that emphasize the ways by which individuals can protect themselves from acquiring AIDS. These methods include abstinence from the illegal use of drugs and from sexual intercourse with infected partner.

HIV/AIDS is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). During the initial infection a person may experience a brief period of influenza-like illness. This is typically followed by a prolonged period without symptoms. As the illness progresses it interferes more and more with the immune system, making people much more likely to get infections, including opportunistic infections, and tumors that do not usually affect people with working immune systems.

There are 56,000 people living with HIV in Bihar and the number continues... proper sex education is very important for decreasing this growing rate of HIV/AIDS cases in Bihar. Life is very precious utilize it for the benefit of the society not for the destruction of the same. There are life-saving AIDS drugs and CD4 test kits available with PLHIV Bihar.

How one can be infected with HIV:-

Having unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person:-

VAGINAL SEX:-

HIV is found in the sexual fluids of an infected person, if a man with HIV has vaginal intercourse without a condom, infected fluid can pass into the woman's blood stream through a tiny cut or sore inside her body.

If a woman with HIV has sexual intercourse without a condom, HIV could get into the man's blood through a sore patch on his penis or by getting into the tube that runs down the penis.

If there is any contact with blood during sex, this increases the risk of infection. For e.g. blood in the vagina if intercourses occurs during a woman's period.

ORAL SEX:-

If a person sucks on the penis of an infected man, the virus could then get into the blood if one has bleeding gums tiny sores or ulcers somewhere in the mouth.

The some is true if infected sexual fluids from a woman get into the mouth of her partners.

But infection from Ural sex alone seems to be very rare.

ANAL SEX:-

If a couple have Anal intercourses the risk of infection is greater than with glacial intercourse. The lining of the anus is more delicate that the lining of the vagina so it's more likely to be damaged during intercourse.

INJECTIVE DRUGS:-

People have been infected through transfusion f infected blood. In those countries where the blood is tasted before transfusion, HIV infection through this route has become extremely rare.

BLOOD PRODUCT:-

Blood products, such as those used by people with Hemophilia, are now heat treated to make them safe.

MOTHER TO CHILD TRANSMISSION:-

An infected pregnant woman can pass the virus on to her unborn baby either before or during birth. HIV can also be passed on during breastfeeding.

If woman knows that she is infected with HIV, there are drugs that she can take to greatly reduce the chances of her child becoming infected.

INFECTION IN THE HEALTH CARE SETTING:-

Some health-care workers have become infected with HIV by being stuck with needles containing HIV- infected blood.

However, these have only been a few documented instances of patients becoming infected with a health-care worker.

TATTOOS/PIERCING:-

If the equipment properly sterilized, having a tattoos done could carry a very small risk. In the UK, there are hygiene regulations governing people who do tattoos & sterile.

SNEEZING, COUGHING, SHARING GLASSES/CUPS, TOILET, CLOTHS etc:-

HIV in unable to reproduce outside its host. HIV does not survive well in the open air thus cannot be transmitted through spitting, sneezing, sharing, glances or musical instruments. One also can't be infected in swimming pools, showers or by sharing washing machines or toilet seats.

INSECTS:-

Studies conducted by many researchers have shown no HIV evidence of HIV transmission through insects. Also, HIV only lives for a short time & does not reproduce in insects. So even if the virus enters a mosquito or another sucking or biting insect, the insects does not become infected & therefore cannot transmit HIV to the next human it feeds on bites.

INJECTING WITH STERILE NEEDLES:-

Drug used with sterile equipments / instruments compassing needle, syringe, spoon & filters.

Safe sex is very important. Safe sex refers to sexual activities which do not allow any blood or sexual fluid to pass from one person to another person's body.

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