Things You Didn't Know About HIV/AIDS

Despite its prevalence many people are still ignorant about the danger of HIV/AIDS, the Administrator, Hope for HIV/AIDS International, Lolade Abioye has said.

During an interview with The Nation, she said: “Do you know that people still have lots of questions about the ways one can get HIV. Discrimination and stigmatisation still abound in the country. There is a high prevalence of people living in denial. Even when people are counselled and they opt for voluntary testing, and per chance their results are positive, you find out that they won’t want others to know their status. And one can deduce that people are not coming out to avail themselves of the free VCT again.
Though the prevalence of the disease is stable in the country at the moment, “But discrimination is still rampant. And that is part of the reasons I wont support self screening kit for HIV. If people are given a device to test for HIV won’t they hide away and spread same, or do those persons even have the expertise to screen for HIV?

She added: “HIV causes AIDS. HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It breaks down the immune system — our body’s protection against disease. HIV causes people to become sick with infections that normally wouldn’t affect them. AIDS is short for acquired immune deficiency syndrome. It is the most advanced stage of HIV disease.”

On the symptoms of the disease, she said: “Some people develop HIV symptoms shortly after being infected. But it usually takes more than 10 years. There are several stages of HIV disease. The first HIV symptoms may include swollen glands in the throat, armpit, or groin. Other early HIV symptoms include slight fever, headaches, fatigue, and muscle aches. These symptoms may last for only a few weeks. Then there are usually no HIV symptoms for many years. That is why it can be hard to know if you have HIV. The best way to know if one has HIV is to test. You cannot know for sure if you have HIV until you get tested. About one out of five people with HIV don’t know they are infected, so testing is very important.

“You don’t have to wait for AIDS symptoms to appear, if they appear, it means one is in the most advanced stage of HIV disease. In addition to a badly damaged immune system, a person with AIDS may also have

“But there are many ways you can protect yourself from HIV. The surest way is to abstain from sexual intercourse and from sharing needles and “works” if you use steroids, hormones, or other drugs. Many people have been infected with HIV by sharing needles. If you are using needles for steroids, hormones, or other drugs be sure to disinfect the needles you use. Never share needles. Get into a needle-exchange programme. Don’t share personal items that may have blood on them. This includes toothbrushes, razors, needles for piercing or tattooing, and blades for cutting or scarring. If you choose to have sex, have safer sex to reduce the risk of exchanging blood, semen, or vaginal fluids with your sex partner/s.”

The administrator wants the government to look at the management of HIV/AIDS in pediatrics. Her reasons? “Nutrition wise most pediatrics are not well fed, they are under nourished. Government should provide free infant feeds to help parents who are poor.Also, pediatrics’ presciptions should be adapted to syrup and be flavoured with gummit, vannila or fruity flavour to enhance easy intake and compliance.

“Though there is a Guideline which is very comprehensive and provides guide on the standard processes and methods for conduct of service provision at facilities that offer care for management and prevention of pediatrics HIV and AIDS including associated conditions such as tuberculosis (TB) co-infections, Provider-Initiated Testing and Counselling (PITC) in children and adolescents and Antiretroviral therapy in infants and children, still the implementation aspect call for more action.

“I will make case for positive mothers as well. More centres of Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCTC) should be equipped appropriately. UNICEF is trying but Government should improve on the centres.”

On mode of transmission of HIV, Project Officer, Olayinka Babafemi said, “HIV is transmitted through blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk.

“The most common ways HIV is spread are by having vaginal or anal intercourse without a condom with someone who has HIV/AIDS; sharing needles or syringes with someone who has HIV/AIDS; being deeply punctured with a needle or surgical instrument contaminated with HIV; getting HIV-infected blood, semen, or vaginal secretions into open wounds or sores; babies born to women with HIV/AIDS can get HIV from their mothers during birth or from breastfeeding. HIV is not transmitted by simple casual contact such as kissing, sharing drinking glasses, or hugging.”