HIV/AIDS

HIV stands for Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus. It is the virus that causes AIDS.

AIDS stands for “Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome”. A virus, called HIV, causes it. It is the advanced stage of infection with HIV, which damages and ultimately destroys the immune system.

Being HIV+ means that one has been infected with the virus. It is within the body and slowly destroying the immune system. However, when the immune system becomes weak and the body starts developing a number of infections, it is called AIDS. From the time the person has been infected with the virus, it may take anywhere from 8 to 10 years for AIDS to develop.

When the person has HIV in the body, the virus destroys the White Blood Cells, which can no longer fight against disease germs. Thus HIV hinders our immune system from protecting the body. It helps the germs to take over our body and we become vulnerable to a variety of infections. These infections are called “opportunistic infections”, such as tuberculosis, herpes, pneumonia, STIs, meningitis, diarrhoea.

A virus called HIV causes AIDS, but where the virus came from is not known. However, as new facts are discovered about viruses, the question of where HIV came from is becoming more complicated to answer. What is more important is the fact that HIV is present in all countries and we need to determine how best to prevent the further spread of this deadly virus.

HIV can be transmitted when blood, semen, vaginal fluids or breast milk from an infected person enters the body of an uninfected person. HIV is present in the above body fluids in a high enough concentration to cause the infection.

HIV is transmitted in the following ways:

• Unprotected sexual intercourse with a person who is already infected with HIV
• This is the most common way of getting HIV.
• By the transfusion of infected blood and blood products.
• By sharing needles and syringes contaminated with HIV infected blood.
• A pregnant woman who is HIV positive may pass on the virus to her new born baby – before birth, during birth or just after delivery through breast feeding.

This is possible only if the injecting equipment is contaminated with blood that contains live HIV, as the virus does not survive in dried and old blood (it dies within few seconds of coming in contact with air). If one requires injections then one should ensure that that the needles and syringe come straight from a sterile package or they should be cleaned and boiled for twenty minutes.

This is a common myth. However there is no need to worry, as this is not possible for four reasons:

• HIV, unlike the malarial parasite cannot replicate itself within the mosquito’s body system. HIV is a human specific virus.
• The mosquito does not inject blood into the body of a person but draws blood from the person. So HIV infected blood cannot be infected into another. The mosquito cannot act as a flying syringe!
• The amount of blood in the mosquito’s proboscis (the elongated mouth of the mosquito) is too small to transmit the virus.
• Last, but the most important, if the mosquitoes were responsible for spreading the virus then HIV infection would be more widespread.

HIV is not spread through:

• Casual contacts such as kissing, shaking hands, sharing cups etc. with a HIV infected person.
• Traveling in the same bus
• Donating blood
• Mosquito bites
• Masturbation
• Sneezing and coughing by an infected person
• Using public latrine, swimming pools, community showers or saunas.
• Caring for people living with AIDS (sharing the same home, utensils, feeding, etc.).

It is not possible to know by physical appearance that a person has HIV, because the virus may remain in the body for many years without causing any symptoms or signs. Only a blood test taken after the “window period” can tell if a person has HIV.

Yes, it is possible to get HIV/AIDS through oral sex. If the partner has HIV, then the infection can be passed from his/her mouth to the penis, vagina, anus or directly into the blood through small cuts or open sores.

There are essentially two tests, which are conducted, to detect whether the person is infected with HIV or not. They are:

• ELISA TEST – most common test
• WESTERN BLOT TEST They both test the presence of HIV antibodies in the person’s blood. Western Blot is a confirmatory test.

Recently, a new test called the PCR Test has come up which detects the virus itself. But it is only used for research purposes in our country.

After HIV enters a person’s body the person may show no signs and symptoms of AIDS for 5 to ten years. As the person’s immune system starts failing, signs and symptoms of develop. These can be:

• Weight loss greater than 10 percent of the body weight.
• Fever for longer than one month.
• Diarrhoea for longer than one month (on and off or all the time).
• Persistent fatigue. However, there are so many different causes of fever, headache, and diarrhoea and weight loss.

So there is no cause to worry. But, if one has had unprotected sex with many people or with a person who has had many sexual partners, or if one has shared needles while injecting drugs, or has been given HIV infected blood one, it is advisable to go to a recognized testing center( Integrated Counseling and Testing Center) , and get oneself tested for HIV.

Every Government hospital has a center where you can get tested for HIV. It is called ICTC where the testing is voluntary, confidential and free. Counselors are bound by confidentiality- that means that whatever is discussed is not shared with others.

There is a lot you can do to protect yourself from HIV infection:

• Learn the facts about growing up and HIV/AIDS.
• Do not feel shy to talk about your doubts and fears. Get these clarified.
• Do not let peer pressure force you into unsafe activities.
• Avoid mixing alcohol or other drugs with sexual activities – they might cloud your judgment and lead you to engage in unsafe sexual practices.
• Practice abstinence. Postpone sex as much as possible – many other activities like hugging cuddling, kissing or fantasizing are safe.
• If you are using needles, syringes or other instruments that pierce the skin, make sure they are sterile.
• Make sure the blood is tested before transfusion. Use blood that is certified “HIV free.”

People react with fear. They are afraid that the virus will be transmitted to them. Hence, they end up discriminating against an HIV positive person. Also since sex is one of the causes of transmission of the virus, people tend to pass a moral judgement on the sexual behavior of the person.

Stigma and discrimination can be experienced in many painful ways.

• Not allowed admission in educational institutions.
• Not allowed admission and treatment in hospitals.
• Not allowed to continue with one’s job.
• Stigma against the family members too, leading to embarrassment.
• Stigma and isolation by the family members.
• Widespread fear leading to a non- caring attitude against the HIV Positive person. Thus, an HIV positive person dies faster due to stigma and discrimination as compared to the syndrome.

Condoms are highly effective in preventing HIV transmission when used consistently and correctly. When buying and using a condom it is important to check:

• Expiry date of the condom-do not use one that has passed this date.
• Storage- condoms should be kept away from heat and pressure (for example, sitting on a wallet or a purse containing condoms).

Women are at greater risk as after sex infected semen stays longer inside the vagina and there is plenty of time for the virus to pass through the membrane into the blood. However, this does not mean that men are not at risk. The skin of the penis is very thin. Moreover, during anal intercourse (between a man and a man, man and a woman) there is a particularly a very high exposure as the anal passage is very tight and there are chances of cuts and wounds through which the virus can enter the body. A condom is effective in preventing HIV transmission during any kind of penetrative sexual activity.