aids-an-awareness-necessary2112.pdf

Presented by: joseyown@providence.usa.com
The
The Red Ribbon Foundation,
Red Ribbon Foundation, created to raise
created to raise
money for distribution to HIV/AIDS researchers,
money for distribution to HIV/AIDS researchers,
primarily in the field of pediatric AIDS research;
primarily in the field of pediatric AIDS research;
to promote awareness of the disease through
to promote awareness of the disease through
distribution of the Red Ribbon; and to educate
distribution of the Red Ribbon; and to educate
the worldwide public through efforts such as
the worldwide public through efforts such as
our website, handing out informative materials
our website, handing out informative materials
on high school and college campuses, and
on high school and college campuses, and
holding events that bring an awareness of the
holding events that bring an awareness of the
disease. It was founded in 1993 in memory of
disease. It was founded in 1993 in memory of
Singer/song writer Paul Jabara, who conceived
Singer/song writer Paul Jabara, who conceived
of and distributed the first Red Ribbon, and
of and distributed the first Red Ribbon, and
who died of AIDS.
who died of AIDS.
HIV
HIV stands for
stands for H
Human
uman I
Immunodeficiency
mmunodeficiency V
Virus
irus
(the resulting disease is called
(the resulting disease is called AIDS
AIDS or
or A
Acquired
cquired
I
Immuno
mmuno D
Deficiency
eficiency S
Syndrome). It was first
yndrome). It was first
isolated in May 1983 at Paris by Luc
isolated in May 1983 at Paris by Luc
Montagnier, and belongs to a group called
Montagnier, and belongs to a group called
‘Retroviruses’. They copy their genetic material
‘Retroviruses’. They copy their genetic material
into the genetic material of human cells and,
into the genetic material of human cells and,
thus the infected cells, stay infected for the rest
thus the infected cells, stay infected for the rest
of their lives. The HIV infects key body cells
of their lives. The HIV infects key body cells
called CD4 cells, which coordinate the immune
called CD4 cells, which coordinate the immune
systems fight against various infections.
systems fight against various infections.
HIV / AIDS
HIV / AIDS
An awareness
An awareness

GLOBAL SUMMARY OF AIDS PANDEMIC – DECEMBER 2006
GLOBAL SUMMARY OF AIDS PANDEMIC – DECEMBER 2006
People living with HIV = 39.5 Million (37.1 to 47.1 Million).
Adults = 37.2 Million , (32.1 to 44.5 Million)
Adults = 37.2 Million , (32.1 to 44.5 Million)
Women = 17.7 Million (15.1 to 20.9 Million)
Women = 17.7 Million (15.1 to 20.9 Million)
Children under 15 yrs = 2.3 Million. (1.7 to 3.5 Million)
Children under 15 yrs = 2.3 Million. (1.7 to 3.5 Million)
People newly infected with HIV = 4.3 Million (3.6 to 6.6 Million).
Adults = 3.8 Million (3.2 to 5.7 Million)
Adults = 3.8 Million (3.2 to 5.7 Million)
Children under 15 yrs = 5,30,000 (4,10,000 to 6,60,000).
Children under 15 yrs = 5,30,000 (4,10,000 to 6,60,000).
AIDS death in 2006 = 2.9 Million (2.5 to 3.5 Million).
Adults 2.6 Million (2.2 to 3 Million), Children under 15 yrs = 3,80,000 (2,90,000 to 5,00,000)
Adults 2.6 Million (2.2 to 3 Million), Children under 15 yrs = 3,80,000 (2,90,000 to 5,00,000)

How is HIV passed on?
HIV can only be transmitted in
HIV can only be transmitted in
• Blood (including Menstrual blood)
Blood (including Menstrual blood)
• Semen
Semen
• Vaginal Fluids
Vaginal Fluids
• Breast Milk
Breast Milk
HIV can be transmitted
HIV can be transmitted
Through unprotected sex.
Through unprotected sex.
From mother to her baby
From mother to her baby
Intravenous (IV) drug use.
Intravenous (IV) drug use.
By contaminated Blood transfusion.
By contaminated Blood transfusion.
Occupational Exposure.
Occupational Exposure. (Through
accidental contact with contaminated body
fluids from patients of HIV, by Health care
workers. Since the Virus does not survive
well outside the body, the risk of
transmission to Health care workers is
less.)
You cannot get HIV from:
Hugging
Hugging
Casual Kissing
Casual Kissing
Saliva, Tears or Sweat.
Saliva, Tears or Sweat.
Touching
Touching
Sharing a home, Office or Class room
Sharing a home, Office or Class room
Sharing Utensils
Sharing Utensils
Touching a toilet seat, telephone etc
Touching a toilet seat, telephone etc
Eating or playing
Eating or playing
Through Mosquitoes or other insects
Through Mosquitoes or other insects

Awaiting the inevitable.
The various stages
THE FOUR STAGES OF HIV INFECTION
THE FOUR STAGES OF HIV INFECTION
Although the treatment options available for HIV are limited, it can substantially affect the
Although the treatment options available for HIV are limited, it can substantially affect the
quality of life and extend the years of life beyond the describe period.
quality of life and extend the years of life beyond the describe period.
ACUTE INFECTION (0 – 3 MONTHS) The Window period is the first stage when
a person comes into contact with HIV. This lasts approximately 6 – 9 weeks.
Although most people do not notice it, the period starts with a short illness,
soon after infection. It could be a soar throat, an ulcer in the mouth or
genitals, a fever or a rash on the skin, diarrhoea, a severe headache, or
rarely an attack of Meningitis as a result of severe immune suppression.
During this period, an HIV test is advised. Although the test looks for
antibodies of HIV, it may not be show through as, the body may not have
developed any antibodies at this very early stage. Therefore, a second test is
advised a few months later. The symptoms mentioned above could be
caused by other infections such as a flu, glandular fever, and tonsillitis.

ASYMPTOMATIC HIV INFECTION (3 months to 10 Years) During this period
the patient still does not recognize the infection and may feel comfortable and
healthy. However the immune damages will be detectable only by laboratory
tests. Here, two tests are advised.
 CD4 Cell count test: A normal CD4 Cell count in a healthy person without
HIV, ranges between 400 to 1600 cells/mm3. Immediately after the infection, the
cell count falls to several hundred counts below the normal.
 Viral Load Test: This test, detects the amount of HIV in blood. It is counted in
the form of ‘copies’ per ml of blood. A count of 10,000, shows the level of
infection as being low and, 100,000 copies per ml, denotes high presence of HIV
cells in blood. The viral load can go up briefly, as the infection period advances.
The HIV virus, replicates very actively during this period, primarily in the lymph
nodes and lymphoid tissues, which are perfect environment for infection of CD4
cells in the body. The health of some people, decline rapidly in 2 years during
this period but, 10 to 15% show no signs, for as many as 10 years.

SYMPTOTAMIC HIV DISEASE: In this
stage, the immune system which was
constantly in battle with the rapidly
replicating HIV cells, slowly begins to
lose the battle. The virus begins to
destroy the CD4 cells. A, CD4 cell
count will show, a rapid decline in
number, and specific signs of HIV
disease starts to appear.
THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
4. Extensive weight loss.
5. Diarrhoea.
6. Oral thrush and ulcers.
7. Shingles, which is a painful rash
affecting the skin.
8. Meningitis or peripheral neuropathy.

AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency
Syndrome: This is an irreversible stage
where the full and final diagnosis of AIDS
is made. There may be initial recovery
from individual opportunistic infections
but, they are likely to reappear, with
increasing severity and frequency. The
unfortunate victim, succumbs to the
disease in 18 to 24 months, from the time
of infection. Usually in this stage, the CD4
count shows as low as 200 or even below.
AIDS defining illness such as TB,
Cancers, such as Kaposi’s Sarcoma,
Cervical cancer, Lymphoma, Pneumonia,
Meningitis / Encephalitis and HIV
Dementia can be detected. Approximately
80% of the people die of secondary
infections, running severe complications,
leading to an inevitable, tragic and
unavoidable death.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Get the facts and share them
Get the facts and share them
with friends and family.
with friends and family.
Know well, your sex partners.
Know well, your sex partners.
Ask questions about past
Ask questions about past
sexual history and drug use.
sexual history and drug use.
Be honest about your past.
Be honest about your past.
If in doubt, use condom /
If in doubt, use condom /
sheath for sexual intercourse.
sheath for sexual intercourse.
(The Aids virus does not pass
(The Aids virus does not pass
through a condom/sheath if
through a condom/sheath if
properly used or if it does not
properly used or if it does not
break.)
break.)
Never share drug needles, even
Never share drug needles, even
in known company of friends.
in known company of friends.

Risk factors for HIV
• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
STIs are infections that pass from one person to another, mainly through sexual intercourse.
There are lots of different types of STIs: Syphilis, Gonorrhoea, Herpes, HIV, Genital warts or
Crabs (lice). HIV is an STI and is the only type of STI that causes AIDS. It is the most serious
STI, because the others are easily treatable and curable.
• Getting an STI (besides HIV) increases the chance of spreading HIV because, sores on penis or
vagina, assist the HIV to enter the body through the broken skin, which cannot act as a barrier to
HIV. These sores can also start to bleed during sex, and this will make it easier for the HIV to
enter the body. A discharge also makes it easier to get HIV.
• An untreated STI can also make someone who is HIV positive, more infectious. For example,
when untreated, Gonorrhoea can make a person with HIV, more infectious as Gonorrhoea
increases the number of HIV-infected cells in the genital area and in the mucous membranes of
the mouth and throat.
• Having an STI, it is important to use a condom when having sex, to prevent it spreading further.
Most STIs are very easy to treat, so one has to go to the clinic or a doctor and get treated. Most
STI clinics, treat free of charge in most of the advanced countries, or for a small fee.
• Drug and alcohol abuse
HIV can be spread because of bad judgement calls, when a person is high or stoned. For
example, when a person is high, instead of having protected sex, he simply throws caution to the
wind and have unprotected sex.
• Alcohol doesn’t cause HIV infection. However, alcohol reduces ability to think clearly and,
alcohol makes him less inhibited. As a result, he may be more likely to make impulsive decisions
and have unprotected sex.
• If one is HIV positive, note that alcohol and drug abuse, weakens the immune system. If one is
HIV negative, note that a person with a poor immune system is more likely to become infected
with HIV if he/she has unprotected sex.

• AIDS is a disease of only black (or white) people
There are many myths about HIV and AIDS only affecting people in particular social groups, like
blacks, homosexuals, etc. HIV does not discriminate, and nor should you, when dealing with it.
However, biologically, young girls and women are more susceptible to infection. But men are still at
very high risk. If one has unprotected sex with another who is HIV positive, the likelihood is that he
will get HIV, despite his race, age, gender or sexual preference.
• HIV can be spread by mosquitoes
This is not true. HIV can only be spread through unprotected sex, blood and mother to child during
pregnancy and breastfeeding. So, being bitten by a mosquito cannot lead to you being infected
with HIV.
• HIV can be spread in food or through sharing eating utensils
This is not true. HIV can only be spread through unprotected sex, blood and mother to child during
pregnancy and breastfeeding. So, sharing eating and drinking utensils, sitting in the same room,
hugging or any other activities that bring you into direct contact with a person living with HIV and
AIDS, cannot result in the spread of HIV.
• Having sex with a young virgin will cure AIDS
One cannot cure oneself of AIDS once he has got it. The only way to prevent getting HIV is to not
have sex. All one is doing when he rapes a young virgin is spreading the disease, not curing it. The
worst thing of all, connected to this myth, is the rape of innocent babies and toddlers who don’t
even know what sex is and are left seriously damaged; physically, emotionally and spiritually.
• I only have one partner so I don’t have to have safe sex
When one starts a new relationship and if he decides to have sex, it is important to use a condom
every time he has sex. If he is committed to one another and remain faithful to one another, it is
important to go for an HIV test before having unprotected sex to check that both are HIV negative.
However, this approach still requires a strong relationship where both partners trust one another
and are faithful to one another.
• If my baby is HIV negative, then I am also HIV negative.
No. Your HIV test result reveals only your HIV status.
Myths about HIV

TAKING CARE OF SOMEONE LIVING WITH HIV.
Some tips!
• Do not touch body fluids such as blood, stool or urine without wearing gloves or plastic
bags on your hands.
• Wash the gloves or plastic bags in hot water every time after you have used them.
• Do not share needles, razors or toothbrushes.
• Keep all open sores clean and covered.
• Keep clothes and bedding with blood, diarrhoea or body fluids away from other washing.
• Wear plastic bags or gloves on your hands when you work with dirty washing.
• Wash the bedding and clothes in soapy water. Hang them where there is a lot of sunshine.
Make sure the washing dries well.
• Burn any bandages that cannot be rewashed.
• It is important to keep the sick person's mattress, sheets, blankets and pillows clean. Do
this by covering the mattress with a plastic sheet.
• Wash the sheets, blankets and pillows as often as you can. Wipe the plastic sheet with a
hot, wet cloth.
• Remember, these tips are part of your daily life. In many cases you may not be providing
nursing care to a family member, but perhaps you are helping a colleague or friend who has
cut him/herself at work. It is important to wear protective clothing such as gloves, if you are
treating a wound. Remember – you cannot see if someone is HIV positive, so protect
yourself.

“You took a long breath and stopped, after a minute you took another
long, long breath, like a sigh. So peaceful, no pain, no loss of
dignity. We had promised you that. You trusted us all and we
didn't let you down. You took two further breaths with everyone
there and then your body was at peace. How peaceful and
beautiful death can be, when it is a gentle release from a
progressive disease ! ! !”
Let us all be able to tell this one day to a dying soul.

Dear friends,
What that made me think about making
this presentation, is the recent news on
the local TV in Kerala, India, about the
case of 5 innocent little HIV positive
children, belonging to poor families,
who were ordered to be taken away
from a public school, by the PTA of the
same school. There were very vigorous,
exhibitions of opposition, to
accommodate the said children, by
some, ill-informed members of the PTA.
Unfortunately, some Priests of
Christian community, more mindful
about money matters, were also
involved in this incident.
Let’s not be money minded, nor
unreasonably religious looking. Let’s
be human beings. All this could happen
to any one of us tomorrow, with just a
pin prick, from a desperate victim,
suffering the cruel fangs of social
stigma, attached to AIDS.
Sd / Jacob / Cochin / Kerala / India.

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