How to prevent AIDS in the current era with Medcab

Introduction

In today’s era medical science has made tremendous progress both in the study and prevention as well as treatment of the disease. Despite years of publicity campaigns and improved treatment procedures, AIDS which stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, still remains a major health issue among the public worldwide. Human Immunodeficiency virus is the name of the virus due to which AIDS is caused. It disables the immunity of the person and makes his or her body vulnerable to infections and certain cancers.

Preventing healthy lifestyles is by far the best way to halt the spread of the virus. It is true that medicines have improved tremendously thus enabling HIV-positive people to live long lives. Preventing AIDS requires awareness, accountability, medical intervention, community support and more in today’s fast-changing, globally-connected world.

We at Medcab have posted this blog to explore the various strategies and modern methods that can help the people and the communities to come together to fight against this deadly disease known as AIDS effectively in today’s scenario. 

1. What is exactly HIV and AIDS

The first step to treatment or prevention is to understand what exactly the disease is. So let us first understand what HIV and AIDs is.

HIV which stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, attacks and destroys the white blood cells called CD4 cells. These cells help the body in fighting infections. Not treating HIV ultimately weakens the immune system. AIDS is the last stage of HIV infection. It shows severe damage to the immune system and occurrence of infections and cancers which can be fatal.

ART is allowing some HIV-people to not progress to AIDS, but not always. With an early diagnosis and treatment, people living with HIV can enjoy long-life and healthy lives without developing AIDS. But prevention is still first and foremost very important.

1. How HIV spreads

Infection with HIV occurs when blood, semen, vaginal fluids , rectal fluids or breast milk from a person who has HIV comes into contact with another person’s mucous membranes. These liquid comprises of:

• Blood 
• Seminal fluid
• Vaginal secretions
• Rectal secretions
• Breast milk

The most typical pathways for transmission are:

• Not using protection while having oral,anal or vaginal sex with an infected person. 
• Using opened injections or needles which are already used or kept in open. 
• Infection from contaminated blood transfusion
• HIV or AIDS can also be spread to the child who is newborn from mother if the mother is already infected at the time of pregnancy or during childbirth. 

HIVs are communicable diseases and can spread through blood contact and not with simple hugs, handshakes or sharing meals or mosquito bites and just a casual touch. This blog will further help to eradicate the stigma and fear around the people about HIV.

1. Practice safe sex 

The cornerstone of HIV prevention is safe sexual behaviour.  It is important to take precautions because the HIV virus spreads mostly through sexual contact.

• Use condoms for all the sex acts: we know that using male or female condoms consistently and correctly in all kinds of sex that you have greatly reduces the chance of HIV and other STIs.
• Get tested regularly: Knowing your own and your partner’s HIV status can help you make sensible decisions and get tested with Medcab regularly. 
• Try to limit the number of your sexual partners: Chances of exposure to HIV or AIDs gets reduced by limiting the number of sexual partners.
• One of the safest precautionary measures: Is to be in a mutually monogamous relationship with an HIV-negative partner.
• Choose safer sexual practices: Having unprotected sex, especially with a new partner or with more than one partner can be risky.
• Furthermore, partners must communicate about sexual health and have regular STI tests hence having healthy relationships.

1. Use preventive medications-(PrEP and PEP)

Modern medicines have two effective solutions in PrEP and PEP to prevent HIV infection. 

PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis).

PrEP is the name of the pill which is supposed to be taken every day by people who are at a big risk of getting HIV. The people who are at a risk mainly include HIV positive partners, sex workers or people who inject drugs. When taken consistently, PrEP has been shown to drastically reduce the chance of getting HIV from sex by up to 99%. And from injection drug use by at least 74%. 

PrEP can be potent, but it requires a healthcare provider prescription just to make sure that the process is safer and more effective. 

PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis).

In the aftermath of a potential HIV exposure, PEP can help reduce chances of virus infection. It must start between 24 and 72 hours (the sooner the better) and continue for 28 days. A health care professional will review your HIV exposure risk and the possibility of you acquiring HIV infection due to the exposure. 

1. Avoid using shared needles or strips

The potential for HIV or AIDS is higher for individuals who have drug usage history or practice drug usage daily. People who share needles, syringes and any other paraphernalia associated with injecting drugs. 

To avoid such scenarios:

• Use sterile needles or syringes every time. 
• Consider support options for treatment for drugs and or recovery from substance use.
• Remember that these same precautions apply to substances other than drugs, meaning for other sharp instruments such as razors, tattooing equipment, or body piercing instruments that everything must be either sterilized or disposable.

1. Make use of safe medical practices

As a result of improved screening and sterilisation methods, HIV transmission from contaminated blood is now lower than it used to be. 

However, it is still important to be cautious:

• Obtain blood transfusions only from licensed and regulated clinics that test blood donations for HIV infection and other diseases.
• Ensure that single-use, sterile instruments are used for any medical or dental procedures. 
• Always choose reputable locations that follow strict sterilisation and hygienic practices when getting piercings or tattoos.
• Healthcare personnel must follow strict infection-control procedures, such as the use of gloves, the disposal of sharp instruments and the sterilisation of reusable equipment.

1. Gain full knowledge: early detection and early prevention 

HIV testing done regularly is one of the most important ways to prevent the infection. It is estimated that a large number of HIV positive people do not know about their status, which in turn leads to a higher risk of the virus being transmitted unknowingly. The process of testing is very fast, private, and accessible in abundance at hospitals, community clinics, and centers. In addition, some places have made it possible for individuals to test themselves for HIV at home kits for their comfort, convenience, and privacy.

Immediately starting ART (Antiretroviral therapy) is the most important step that one should take after getting HIV positive results. ART can lower the level of the virus to the point that it is no longer detectable in the body. This, along with the fact that one is not getting AIDS and the virus is not getting transmitted, is known as U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable).

Besides that, getting tested is also a way of paving the way for others' issues to be resolved as it makes people feel more secure and encourages others to test.

1. Educate, communicate and eliminate stigma

Stigma and discrimination are perhaps the most significant factors that prevent the HIV/AIDS epidemic from being controlled. Misinformation and fear are main sources of suffering and turning people with HIV into victims of judgment, exclusion and abuse.

For AIDS to be really prevented, the entire society should change its attitude and start educating and exercising empathy:

The educational system should not only involve a teaching program on sexual education that covers the prevention of HIV and safe practices but also provide training to teachers and instructors for them to pass the right attitudes and discernment to their students. The public should support and local governments should sponsor community awareness campaigns that disseminate factual, science-based information. Parents and individuals should build open avenues for dialogues about sexual health without the elements of shame or fear.

Absolutely, by tackling the problem of misinformation and facilitating the process of compassion, we enable the people to access screening, medication, and prevention without any doubts coming to their minds, thus having the power to act on their rights and their health.

Conclusion

The discussion of AIDS prevention in the present world goes beyond medical solutions or scientific discoveries; it involves changing the way people think, being accountable, and showing kindness. Though innovations in medicine such as ART, PrEP, and PEP have resulted in HIV being a manageable and preventable condition, the real development is through the provision of support, through safe practices, and the raising of awareness.

The HIV infections can be minimized through the joint efforts of practicing safe sex, regular testing, refraining from risky behaviors, and providing accurate information. The eradication of stigma and discrimination contributes significantly to the fight against the virus.

HIV is not considered a death sentence anymore, but the best protection remains prevention. A world where AIDS is a thing of the past and not a constantly changing crisis, is the one we can picture together.