Hello all, it's 
Before I begin, let me use this opportunity to wish you all a happy new month. yeah! Welcome to the first day of December. This day 01/12/17 also happens to be world Aids day. A day for the world to unite in the fight against hiv,a day to create awareness of this deadly disease and also a day to commemorate dead people who died as a result of Aids and it's complications.
So I decided to do an enlightenment/educational post about Hiv/Aids as my contribution to the World Aids Day.
According to info from Centre for Disease Control (CDC) on Hiv this previous year, approximately 36 million people were infected and about 1 million died. This report shows that this disease is indeed a killer. Now let me brief you about Hiv/Aids.
Hiv= Human immune virus
Aids = Acquired immune deficiency
Hiv is a virus that affects the immune system in a negative manner, As it's name implies, it destroys the body's immune system which is the our first line of defence against infections. This means that an infected person is more likely to be attacked by other diseases as his/her immune system is no longer active.
Points to Note
- Hiv is a virus.
- Aids is a medical condition resulting from Hiv.
- Aids cannot be transmitted by touch,sweat or saliva.
- The virus is found in blood,semen and vaginally fluid.
- People living with Hiv should not be discriminated against.
- Hiv infection is not a sure death sentence, as there are virus suppressants.
- Early detection can save your life.
Cause/Transmission
- Hiv is contacted by blood to blood contact with infected persons or through sexual contact.
- Hiv can cross from mother to child through blood or breastfeeding.
- unscreened blood transfusion can be a way through which this disease is transmitted.
Symptoms
Usually after being infected, symptoms may not show immediately. This asymptomatic period is known as window period, which is usually 3 to 6 weeks after infection. Symptoms include the following;
- enlarged glands
- muscles aches
- rash (red in color)
- tiredness
- Loss of weight
- fever
- dry cough
Cure
Since the discovery of this virus (hiv) ,it has proved to be the most difficult disease to cure. Research works has been going on for years with respect to this. Hiv infection isn't a death sentence as there are suppression drugs now available to limit growth of the virus. Researchers are still looking for a permanent cure.
Prevention
Since Aids currently has no cure, we should stick to the saying " Prevention is better than Cure". Hiv/Aids can be prevented by:
- Avoiding unprotected coitus/sex
- Being faithful to your partner
- Avoid sharing sharp objects.
- People should be educated about this disease as this would reduce transmission
- in the case of pregnancy, mothers should not breastfeed and cesarean section can be a method of delivery.
Know your hiv status today, About 1 in10 people infected do not know that they are carriers. Remember early detection can save your life. Also do your part in enlightening someone of this disease as I have done mine through this post.
Remain blessed.