What is AIDS?

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AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. It is caused by a virus called HIV, human immunodeficiency virus. If the virus gets into the bloodstream, it attacks parts of the body’s immune system. It means that the body cannot fight off any disease because the immune system is not functioning normally. Luc Monatagnier and Robert Gallo reported the discovery of AIDS in 1980, although it was reported that AIDS existed in Africa before that period.

AIDS will be a health problem for a long time. It is important for you to know how to avoid infection. As a young individual, you need to take responsibility for protecting your own health. Correct decisions and values can help avoid many serious problems later.

AIDS is a pandemic or global disease. There is growing evidence that HIV/ AIDS pandemic has reached the major areas of the world. The prevalence is increasing among persons with multiple sexual partners, such as among the commercial sex workers or prostitutes and men who have a male sex partner. This is also true to the intravenous (IV) drug users.

AIDS is deadly because there is no cure for it at present and there is no vaccine against it. It is accepted that one prevention strategy for AIDS is through education. Adolescence is the best time to learn about AIDS because of the secondary physical changes taking place. Adolescent tent to experiment with many types of behavior, some of which may be dangerous. It is hoped that education should fully inform you about HIV, AIDS, STD infection, transmission and prevention. This type of education should give you the opportunity to develop skills in making responsible decisions, particularly on your own sexual behavior. You have the right to say “no” to sex because you can get AIDS virus or HIV from even one sexual experience alone. Saying “no” now does not mean “no” forever. When you say “no”, you are postponing sex, and you are preparing to say “yes” later when you make a life-long decision in marriage.

The following are five ways that a person can get infected of AIDS:

• Having sex with someone who is infected with the AIDS virus.
• Sharing intravenous (IV) needles with someone who is infected with the virus.
• Receiving blood transfusion or blood products from someone who is infected with the AIDS virus.
• Using sperm from an infected donor for artificial insemination.
• Being born to a woman who is infected with the AIDS virus.

This means that you will not get AIDS/ HIV from a handshake, a hug , a cough or sneeze, sweat or tears, pets or eating food prepared or served by someone infected with the virus. Nor will you get it from using the toilet bowls and other facilities or swimming pools, food utensils, chairs or bus seats, drinking fountains or sport’s equipment.

The following signs and symptoms are present and common in other illnesses. However, in AIDS, they tend to be longer lasting or more severe. It is best to consult a qualified physician when any of these symptoms are felt:

• Unexplained and persistent fatigue
• Unexplained fever, chills, or night sweats for weeks
• Unexplained weight loss of more than ten pounds
• Swollen glands or enlarged lymph nodes for more than two weeks
• Persistent and unusual white spots in the mouth
• Persistent diarrhea
• Unusual bruises or bleeding

The person suffering from AIDS shows the following characteristics: pneumocystic carinii, which is an infection that produces pneumonia with shortness of breath, persistent dry cough, sharp chest pain and difficulty of breathing. Another problem is kaposis sarcoma, which is a form of skin cancer. It produces purple or brown lesions that do not heal. The lesions can occur on any part of the body, such as the nose, mouth or rectum. Meningitis can also occur.

Prevention is possible through information and education.  It should be designed to help young people like teens to modify behavior or to refrain from behavior that carries a risk to HIV infection. One should know how it spread and what virus can cause it.

One should attend counseling and similar social services in order to avoid the behavior that carries the risk of HIV transmission. One should understand, appreciate and practice the social norms and policies with respect to the rights and dignity of people infected with HIV and people with AIDS. In fact, the whole world is united against AIDS. There is a global mobilization to prevent AIDS in 140 countries, which are participating in and support in various programs to stop its spread. It is but best to remember that “PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE!”