Question

#1 What can I say to a person who is at risk for contracting HIV/AIDS? #2 How can we as healthcare workers reduce the risk of transmission of HIV/AIDS?

Answer 1

HIV/ AIDS

1. AIDS is Acquired immune deficiency Syndrome, is a contagious disease caused by the Human Immunodeficiency virus.HIV virus damages the body's immune system by attacking CD4 cells (Type T cells). CD4 cells are playing a major role in fighting with the microorganisms and infections. HIV spreads only through body fluids such as blood, breast milk, semen, rectal or vaginal fluids.

RISK FACTORS are having unprotected sex with an infected partner, use of same syringe for injecting drugs for different people, infected blood transfusion, the baby of infected mother( during pregnancy or delivery there may be the chance of spreading) and needle stick injuries.

HIV is a lifelong disease. If it is not treated, HIV infection will develop to AIDS, a serious condition that severely damages the immune system, then the body no longer can fight with infective agents. It is a fatal condition. Antiretroviral treatment can control HIV so that it will not progress to AIDS. Avoiding unprotected sex may reduce the risk of HIV transmission to a good extend. Casual contacts such as shaking hands, hug or kiss will not transmit HIV infection.

2. how can health care workers reduce the risk of transmission ?

Health care workers are in a great role to reduce the transmission of HIV infection through health education and safety measures. Health education to public and people who are at risk for contracting HIV can be helpful in reducing the risk of transmission of HIV. Educate the clients that HIV spread only through body fluids( blood,semen, vaginal or rectal fluids, breast milk) so avoid unprotected sex, use of condoms during sexual intercourse and avoid sharing needles for injecting drugs may protect them from HIV infection.

Careful screening of blood, organs before transfusing or transplanting to another person and use of safe handling measures during medical procedures ( to avoid needle stick injuries) by health care providers are the effective way to prevent HIV transmission. Antiretroviral treatment to pregnant mother can prevent the risk of HIV to child. After the birth of babies of infected mothers can be treated with Antiretroviral drugs.