Back to: CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS STUDIES SS1
Welcome to class!
In today’s class, we will be talking about HIV/AIDS. Enjoy the class!
HIV/AIDS
HIV: Human immunodeficiency virus
AIDS: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
This is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]. The illness causes non- effectiveness of the immune system of the body.
Ways by which people can be affected by HIV/AIDS
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Sexual transmission:
When a person comes in contact with another HIV person’s semen blood has been secreted into one’s body, then such an individual is likely to have HIV or AIDS. The virus can enter a person’s body through the mouth or small tears that sometimes develop in rectum or vagina during sexual activity.
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Blood transfusions:
When an individual receives unscreened blood and the blood is infected already, then one is bound to get infected.
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Sharing of needles and the other sharp objects:
Through needles and syringes sharing, one can be infected. Sharing of intravenous drugs paraphernalia puts one at a high risk of HIV and other diseases such as hepatitis.
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Mother to child:
An infected mother can infect her babies during pregnancy or delivery, or through breastfeeding. But if a woman receives treatment for HIV infection during pregnancy, the risk of the baby is significantly reduced
The channel of transfer or transmission is through the mucous membrane or the bloodstream.
Symptoms of HIV/AIDS
Many people do not develop symptoms at the initial stage but rather, some people have prolonged flu-like illness for days to weeks. HIV symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness and enlarged lymph in the neck, these are some early signs but they disappear on their own within a few weeks after this, the individual feels normal and there are no more signs or symptoms.
Much more later, the progression of the disease varies from a few months to ten years. During this period, the virus multiplies actively and infects and kills the cells of the immune system. The virus destroys the type of white blood cells called CD4 cells and by then all immune systems of the body are affected and the system becomes too weak to fight back.
HIV/AIDS symptoms include lack of energy, weight loss, frequent fever and sweats, persistent skin rashes or flaky skin, short term memory, cough and shortness of breath, difficult or painful swallowing, severe headache and many more.
Preventive measures to HIV/AIDS
Since the discovery of HIV/AIDS, in 1980, scientists are yet to have a cure for the illness. As a result of this, there is a need for us to prevent ourselves from contracting the illness and the foresight, self-discipline and education, HIV infections and AIDS can be prevented. Some preventive measures are:
- Abstinence: The first and foremost effective measure to HIV/AIDS is abstinence, which means to desist from having sexual intercourse before marriage. In other words, it is not advisable to be having sexual intercourse anyhow.
- Faithfulness to one partner: Another means of preventing HIV/AIDS is by being faithful to one partner. It is not advisable to be having indiscriminate sexual intercourse. Thus, partners must be faithful to each other.
- Screening of blood before transfusion: It is usually advisable to donate blood as to save the lives of others, it is important to screen the blood being transfused. The proper screening of blood reveals HIV/AIDS status of the blood. Hence, it will prevent further infections if the screened blood is infected.
- Avoid sharing of sharp objects: People should desist from sharing objects which can pierce any part of the body and bring about blood. Such items are syringes, razors manicure items, needles, toothbrush and so on.
- Public enlightenment: Another means of preventing HIV/AIDS is by vigorously mounting public enlightenment campaigns alone. It involves interpersonal and traditional methods such as market venue on HIV/AIDS among others.
How to care for those who have been infected with HIV/AIDS
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The stigmatisation of HIV/AIDS patients:
Stigmatisation or discrimination of Aids patients refers to prejudice, abuse, negative attitudes and maltreatments of the people living with HIV/AIDS. This stigma exists worldwide, and it makes things more difficult for people trying to come in terms with HIV and manage their illness on a personal level. It also interferes with attempts to fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Ignorance about means of contracting HIV/AIDS makes people stigmatise those living with HIV/AIDS. They believe that once you have contact with people living positive, you can be infected. However it is not so, therefore, you can relate freely with people living positively.
Prejudice makes people abuse the fundamental human rights of the people living positively. Such prejudice is usually borne out of the fact that people living positively are regarded as promiscuous and careless. They see them as harbingers of bad disease. Thus, they try to avoid them, such prejudice is not good. People who are HIV/AIDS positive are not all bad people. They are infected not because all of them are promiscuous.
Therefore, regular counselling is important for people living with HIV/AIDS. Proper education of the people living with HIV/AIDS is important. Care and support should be rendered to them. We should not run away from them, rather encourage them from time to time.
We hope you enjoyed the class.
Should you have any further question, feel free to ask in the comment section below and trust us to respond as soon as possible.
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