International
AIDS specialists gather in Washington, DC to develop a road map for continued
research and to find a cure for HIV.
Over 25,000 scientists, activists, people living with HIV and other
important policy makers refocus on a strategic plan of action to end the
un-needed suffering.
“Scientific
breakthroughs have opened exciting opportunities for prevention as well as
treatment. But these opportunities are
tempered by the demands of sustainability” said Dr. Margaret Chan,
Director-General, WHO.
The
International AIDS Conference will help assess where we are, evaluate recent
scientific developments and lessons learnt, and collectively chart a course
forward according to World Health Organization (WHO) officials.
Antiretrovirals reduce HIV transmission
In 2011, a study
by the HIV Prevention Trials Networks showed antiretrovirals (ARV’s) cut the
transmission of HIV by 96 percent within couples where one partner is
HIV-positive and the other is not.
“When people
take antiretrovirals, the amount of HIV in their body is decreased, making them
much less likely to pass the virus to others,” says Dr. Gottfried Hirnschall,
Director of the HIV Department at WHO. “If we can get, and keep, more people on
treatment, and reduce their virus levels, we can reduce the number of new
people who are infected.”
Strategic use of ARV’s
“Every year, more than a million more people
in low- and middle-income countries start taking antiretroviral drugs,” said Dr
Margaret Chan, Director-General, WHO. “But for every person who starts
treatment, another two are newly infected.
WHO’s advice on strategic use of ARV’s:
• New treatment guidelines for
people with HIV who have uninfected partners.
Up to 50 percent of HIV-positive people in on-going relationships are
estimated to have HIV-negative partners.
• A recommendation to consider
modifying current practices to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
Malawi, for example, now offers ARVs to all HIV positive pregnant women to
reduce the risk of transmission to their children and partner.
• WHO currently recommends that
people diagnosed with HIV start taking ARVs when the strength of their immune
system drops to a CD4+ count of 350 cells/mm3 or lower.
How is HIV transmitted?
A person who has
HIV carries the virus in body fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal secretions,
and breast milk. The virus can be transmitted only if HIV-infected fluids enter
the bloodstream of another person.
HIV can be transmitted in three ways
-sexual transmission
-exposure to infected blood
-mother to child transmission
The most common
form of transmission is from unprotected sexual intercourse. There are fewer
cases of transmission from oral sex but the risk significantly increases if
either partner has oral cuts or sores.
Sharing one’s toothbrush, canker sores or bleeding gums will
significantly increase one’s risk.
HIV transmission
can occur during pregnancy, childbirth and breast-feeding. Consult with your doctor immediately if you
suspect that you are pregnant. Active
steps can significantly reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to the unborn
child. As HIV is transmitted through
breast milk, mothers are counseled to not breast-feed.
The use of
needles has significantly increased over recent years. Lifestyle factors such as poor diet and lack
of physical activity has increased rates of obesity, heart disease and
diabetes. It is very common for a
diabetic to use needles to inject insulin.
This can significantly increase the risk of transmission of HIV.
Tattoos and
piercings also increase the risk of transmission. Studies have shown that HIV can survive in
used needles for a month or more.
How is HIV not transmitted?
HIV is not
transmitted through food, air or general contact. A person cannot get HIV through re-using
washed eating utensils, toilet seats, bathroom sinks, shaking hands or even
hugging.
Sweat, tears,
vomit, feces and urine can contain HIV but are the least likely mechanisms of
transmission. Insects and mosquitoes are
not able to transmit HIV.
How can I reduce my risk?
If you are
sexually active, protect yourself against HIV by practicing safer sex. Whenever
you have sex, use a condom. When used
properly and consistently, condoms are extremely effective. But remember:
• Use
only latex condoms
• Use
protection each and every time you have sex.
• If
necessary, consult a nurse, doctor, or health educator for guidance on the
proper use of latex barriers.
How can I prevent HIV related weight loss?
Energy
requirements vary according to the age and stage of the disease according to
WHO. Energy requirements are likely to
increase by 10 percent to maintain body weight and physical activity in
asymptomatic HIV-infected adults and growth in asymptomatic children. During symptomatic HIV, and subsequently
during AIDS, energy requirements increase by approximately 20 to 30 percent to
maintain adult body weight. Energy
intakes need to increase by 50 to 100 percent over normal requirements in
children experiencing weight loss.
HIV and sex education
Sex education is
about developing young people’s skills to make informed decisions about their
behaviors. The purpose is to create a
confident and knowledgeable younger generation that takes responsibility for
their actions. It is not meant to
encourage or condemn individuals or their choices.
Sex education
brings about awareness of the significant health risk and negative impact that
HIV/AIDS has on one’s family, community and country. It helps to equip young people with the
skills needed to differentiate between accurate and inaccurate information
regarding the condition. It also allows
for cultural discussion on the moral and social perspectives on sex.
Attitudes and beliefs contributes to HIV
One of the
problems young people are exposed to is the wide range of attitudes and beliefs
in relation to sex. For example, health
messages that emphasize the risks and dangers in comparison to the media that
promotes sexual activity.
People commonly
do not like to be told what to do. They
want to make their own decisions and only presenting one side of the story is
not helping the individual make an informed decision. Many times people are looking to others to
make the changes or improvements that are needed, but in reality it is up to the
person. The choices that we make
collectively are the health of this nation.
If you have ever
thought “we need a better educational program”, that could be your calling to
make a difference. Become the
educational program that we need. We
cannot wait for others to do it. You may
think you do not have the education or the resources to do such a program --
become a leader without a title. One
person is not going to improve our health status; it’s the group of people that
work in unity.
Dr. Cory Couillard is an international healthcare speaker and columnist for numerous newspapers, magazines, websites and publications throughout the world. He works in collaboration with the World Health Organization's goals of disease prevention and global healthcare education. Views do not necessarily reflect endorsement.
Email: drcorycouillard@gmail.com
Facebook: Dr Cory Couillard
Twitter: DrCoryCouillard
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