AIDS: It’s time to wake up

Dulshani Gunawardena

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HIV/AIDS: The Definition

Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

The Statistics
Sri Lanka(2009)
Living with HIV - reported - 1161

- estimated - 4000
Female 42 percent
Male 58 percent
Children infected - 41
AIDS deaths - 197

The World (2007 estimate)

Deaths since 1985 - 25 million
Living with HIV - 33 million
Children with HIV - 2.0 million
Newly infected in 2007 - 2.7 million

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* Heterosexual activity 84.7%
* Homosexual activity 10.1%
* Prenatal (mother to child) 4.4%
* Blood transfusion 0.3%
* Unknown 0.5%

HIV/ AIDS: The deadliest killer, very much alive According to the latest statistics Sri Lanka claims a 0.1 percent HIV/ AIDS prevalence rate with every one in a thousand people infected. Though this is a low rate, the trend of new infections is on the rise. It is no longer a disease we can plead ignorance to, with the majority infected being married women and children, though with no ‘fault’ of their own

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The majority of HIV infected are in the sub Saharan region, with 67 percent of all infected. The Asia Pacific region has five million victims living with AIDS. However, it has a substantially low prevalence rate, with most countries with less than a one percent prevalence rate, which is less than one in every 100 infected. Thailand, China and Vietnam have considerably high numbers.

What happens?

HIV

Virus attacks white blood cells(CD4) Number of CD4 cells drops Reduction in immunity Virus multiplies

Vulnerable to infection

Develops opportunistic infections and special types of malignancies

AIDS

White cells in the blood protect our body from the various infections. Among these white cells, CD4 plays a massive role. CD4 cells initiate the body’s response to invading micro-organism such as viruses.

HIV is a retrovirus, which needs cells to replicate. HIV attaches to the CD4 cells, allowing the virus to enter and infect the CD4 cells, rendering them inactive. The fewer CD4 cells, the weaker the body is to infection and illness.

Transmission

Aids is transmitted through;

Unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person

Use of infected blood products(blood transfusion)

From an infected mother to a child, during pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding.

According to statistics the methods of HIV/ AIDS transmission in Sri Lanka is as follows:

Symptoms

Usually HIV is discovered when the patient reaches the full blown AIDS status.

In the early stages, the victim may suffer from various symptoms, such as a flu like illness, but this subsides after some time.

However, at later stages, the body’s immune system gets extremely weak and is susceptible to any disease. As there is no immunity, the disease increase, for example a minor cold develops into pneumonia despite medical treatment.

The death of AIDS victims are caused by these advanced diseases. The infections include, but are not limited to, pneumonia caused by Pneumocystis, which causes wheezing, brain infection with toxoplasmosis which can cause trouble thinking or symptoms that mimic a stroke.

Yeast infection of the swallowing tube (esophagus) which causes pain with swallowing widespread diseases with certain fungi like histoplasmosis, which can cause fever, cough, anemia and other problems.

Lymphoma in the brain, which can cause fever and trouble thinking a cancer of the tissues called Kaposi’s sarcoma, which causes brown, reddish, or purple spots that develop on the skin or in the mouth.

HIV Testing

HIV testing is available at 30 full time clinics islandwide in Government hospitals.

Testing is provided free and complete privacy is assured. For further details contact the National STD Control Program on 0112667163.

For whom?

People engaged in risky sexual behaviour

Suspicious blood transfusions

Partners of the infected

Why be tested?

It is highly recommended to be tested for HIV/ AIDS if you suspect you have the chance of being infected. Unsafe and unprotected sex, suspicious blood transfusion are such cases to be considered.

If the test proves negative, it will initiate you to remain negative

If it proves positive, the administration of the relevant drugs, will result in a longer, happier life.

With proper drug administration, there is a chance of surviving even more than twenty years.

Medication

There is no cure for HIV/AIDS, but under proper drug administration the rate of the virus development can be greatly reduced.

Antiretroviral drugs are used in this process.

They keep the HIV levels in the body low, allowing the immune system to work more effectively; leading to a longer, healthier life.

These should be administered on a daily basis and the infected routinely examined. The Government strives to provide HIV medications at a minimal cost.

Prevention

Prevention of HIV deals with eliminating the risks in each method of transmission.

Sexual transmission

Abstain from sex till marriage.

Be faithful to one partner.

Condomize; using condoms consistently and correctly.

The high risk groups for HIV/ AIDS being commercial sex workers, they should be given high attention by policy makers with due intervention to stop the spread of the disease.

Thailand has proved a remarkable example in this regard, dramatically decreasing the rising aid trend in the country.

Transmission through blood

The transmission of AIDS through blood has been greatly reduced in Sri Lanka during the recent years, with the government carrying out blood screening programs.

Mother-to-child transmission

Pregnant women running the risk of being infected, should first get themselves tested for HIV.

If the tests prove positive, a series of antiretroviral drugs will be administered, greatly reducing the risk of mother to child transmission.

Delivery of the baby is done through caesarean section and in Sri Lanka, milk products for the baby are provided free of charge for the first six months.

Protect our children, our future

Today, Two million children (under 15 years of age) worldwide are affected by HIV/ AIDs, mostly transmitted via mother to child, child HIV/AIDS victims are a tragic issue in an already tragic subject.

Misconceptions

AIDS is not transmitted through physical contact such as shaking hands.

Is not transmitted by mosquitoes.

Is not transmitted through sharing a meal, plates and cups.

Is not transmitted through swimming pools.

Stigma and discrimination towards HIV positive patients not only discourage them from actively seeking treatment, but also leads to the spread in HIV through society.

There is no cure as great as public awareness to eradicate this killer from society forever and for always.