Since it was first detected three decade ago, sixty million are hiv positive. According to researchers, aids (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) claimed twenty-five million lives already. Furthermore, A Joint United Nations Programme on hiv/aids, recently reports two years ago, two million died while 2.5 million are infected. On a positive note, the report reveals that the incidence of infection went down to a seventeen percent decline worldwide in the past eight years. The decline may seem as good news as it shows lesser risk of getting infected would appear much lower they cited.

Hiv transmission

Medical doctor described hiv aids as characterized by a defect in natural immunity against disease. People who have hiv aids are vulnerable to serious illness which would not be a threat to anyone whose immune system was functioning normally. Studies shows that hiv aids is spread by sexual contact, needle sharing, or less commonly through transfused blood. They pointed out that the risk of infection with the virus is increased by having multiple sexual partners, and sharing needles among those using illicit drugs and the hiv virus may be transmitted also from the infected mother to infant before, during, or shortly after birth (through breast milk).

              hiv pictures

HIV Patients Can Live Normally

Experts said persons living with hiv aids can now live normally as long as they take their medicines regularly. Head of AIDS Research Group revealed that hiv infection is almost like hypertension or diabetes in terms of outcome and treatment because patients are living normal lives if they take their medication and maintenance drugs and observe healthy lifestyle, just like diabetes. Furthermore, you just have to control it to prevent complications.

Persons living with HIV can avail of free Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs therapy in hospitals accredited by the Department of Health (DOH). The drugs merely suppress the multiplication of the virus and it does not cure the patient from the disease. The reduction of the virus reduces the risk of the patient contracting infections. Emphasizing that proper medical care is key to living a regular life. Researchers revealed that female who is HIV positive could turn into full blown AIDS. Some who observed healthy lifestyles and take their medicines regularly can give birth without medical supervision. But medical expert emphasize that even with medical interventions there is no absolute chance that the unborn child will not get infected with the virus. For this reason public health officials fear that only the tip of the iceberg has been seen thus far.

Condoms Do Not Prevent Spread of Aids

Condoms do not prevent spread of AIDS, says CBCF officials. They cited that having condoms may have encourage men to have multiple partners, thinking that they are secured but they cited the experience of one country in ASIA.  Authorities failed to stop the disease despite their program to make condoms accessible to the public; they have more than one million hiv victims despite the aggressive promotion of condom use.

References: Manila Bulletin, Health & Home Magazine