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TOPIC 5: HUMAN IMMUNO DEFICIENCY (HIV) ACQUIRED IMMUNO DEFICIENCY SYNDROME (AIDS), AND SEXUAL TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (STI’s) | BIOLOGY FORM 4
Relationship Between HIV, AIDS and STIs
Defference between HIV, AIDS and STIs
Distinguish between HIV, AIDS and STIs
HIV/AIDS (Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)
Acquired
means “to get from” this means that AIDS is gotten from other people,
“Immune” means “protect”, this means that the body is normally protected
against many diseases. Deficiency means “lack: and syndrome means a
group of different symptoms of diseases.
AIDS
is the pandemic disease, which is caused by a certain type of organism
called virus. These types of viruses are called Human Immunodeficiency
Virus.
is the pandemic disease, which is caused by a certain type of organism
called virus. These types of viruses are called Human Immunodeficiency
Virus.
The
Human Immunodeficiency Virus destroys the Immune system, destruction of
the immune system makes it easy for the body to be attacked by other
diseases.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus destroys the Immune system, destruction of
the immune system makes it easy for the body to be attacked by other
diseases.
It
takes a long time for HIV to damage the immune system. It takes years
before the body’s immune system is destroyed. That is why some people
may have HIV in their bodies but not look or feel sick yet. We call
these people HIV carriers because they carry the virus in their bodies.
When HIV carriers finally begin to show the sign and symptoms of AIDS
then we say they have AIDS.
takes a long time for HIV to damage the immune system. It takes years
before the body’s immune system is destroyed. That is why some people
may have HIV in their bodies but not look or feel sick yet. We call
these people HIV carriers because they carry the virus in their bodies.
When HIV carriers finally begin to show the sign and symptoms of AIDS
then we say they have AIDS.
STDS and STIs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Sexually Transmitted Infections)
STDs
and STIs are diseases and infections, which are transmitted through
sexual intercourse. Examples of diseases and infections are: gonorrhea,
syphilis, trichomoniasis, candidiasis, chlamadia, genital herpes and
hepatitis B.
and STIs are diseases and infections, which are transmitted through
sexual intercourse. Examples of diseases and infections are: gonorrhea,
syphilis, trichomoniasis, candidiasis, chlamadia, genital herpes and
hepatitis B.
The Relationship between HIV and STIs
Explain the relationship between HIV and STIs
The
link between HIV and other STIs might seem obvious. After all, the same
sorts of risk behaviour are involved. However, numerous studies seem to
indicate that there is a stronger association between HIV and other
STIs than would be expected simply from a behavioural link. Infection
with STIs (including syphilis, gonorrhoea and herpes) seems to increase
the risk of both acquiring and transmitting HIV over and above a
behavioural link. So does bacterial vaginosis, a condition not formally
classed as an STI, since it appears not to be transmitted, but which is
associated with poor sexual health generally.
link between HIV and other STIs might seem obvious. After all, the same
sorts of risk behaviour are involved. However, numerous studies seem to
indicate that there is a stronger association between HIV and other
STIs than would be expected simply from a behavioural link. Infection
with STIs (including syphilis, gonorrhoea and herpes) seems to increase
the risk of both acquiring and transmitting HIV over and above a
behavioural link. So does bacterial vaginosis, a condition not formally
classed as an STI, since it appears not to be transmitted, but which is
associated with poor sexual health generally.
Depending
on the STI involved and the population, studies have reported that
having an STI magnifies the risk of acquiring HIV by anything from two
to eight times or more. In the case of people with HIV, having an STI
increases viral loads both in the blood and genital secretions, thus
making people more infectious – even when taking antiretroviral
treatment.
on the STI involved and the population, studies have reported that
having an STI magnifies the risk of acquiring HIV by anything from two
to eight times or more. In the case of people with HIV, having an STI
increases viral loads both in the blood and genital secretions, thus
making people more infectious – even when taking antiretroviral
treatment.
Transmission of HIV/AIDS
HIV can be transmitted by:
- Sexual intercourse with infected person
- Blood Transfusion from an infected person
- Organ transplant from an infected donor
- An infected mother to her child during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding
- Using unsterilized surgical instrument e.g. scalpel, needles etc
- Sharing toothbrushes, sharing blades, nail cutter with infected person
Symptoms and Signs of HIV/AIDS
The following are symptoms of HIV/AIDS
- Loss of weight
- Persistent fever that lasts longer than a month
- Diarrhea
- Coughing for more that a month
- Itchy rashes on the skin
- White layer in the mouth and throat
- Swollen gland especially in the neck and armpit
- Genital rashes
- Shortened breath
Effects of HIV/AIDS
People with AIDS get opportunistic infections and diseases, example of these infections and diseases are:
- Chest infection such as pneumonia and Tuberculosis (TB)
- Brain infection leading to mental confusion
- Sever headaches and fits (seizures)
- Stomach infection leading to diarrhea lasts for weeks
- Skin cancer known as carposis sarcoma
Management and Control of HIV/AIDS and STIs
Ways of managing and controlling HIV, AIDS and STIs
Outline ways of managing and controlling HIV, AIDS and STIs
Prevention and Control Measures include:
- Avoid irresponsible sexual behavior. Follow ABC guide: Abstain from sexual intercourse. This is the best method of prevention for the unmarried people Be faithful to one sexual partner Use Condom during sexual intercourse
- Use sterilized instruments during surgery, circumcision and delivery
- Wear disposable gloves when you touch other people’s bodily fluids
- Only screened blood and organs should be used for transfusion and transplants
- Go for HIV and AIDS test in order to know your status
- Do not share toothbrushes and blades
- People
with HIV and AIDS should be given anti retroviral drugs (ARVs) which
help to slow down the progression of the diseases in the body - Pregnant women should attend pre-natal clinic where they can be treated to prevent mother to child transmission
- HIV positive mothers should not breastfeed their newborn babies
The Life Skills Needed for Home based Care for PLWHA
Mention the life skills needed for home based care for PLWHA
People
with HIV and AIDS can live healthy lives for a longtime if they get
proper care and support. We can care for them and support them in the
following ways:
with HIV and AIDS can live healthy lives for a longtime if they get
proper care and support. We can care for them and support them in the
following ways:
- Giving them well-balanced meals in adequate quantities
- Allowing them to rest when they feel unwell
- Taking them to a health center as soon as they start developing signs of illness
- Providing them with ARVs which help to slow down the advancement of the condition
- Allowing them to work and exercise if the can
- Behaving in a loving way toward them
- Listening to them and helping them when they have a problem
- Counseling them to stop behaviors that could worsen their condition. Example: taking drugs or having many sexual partners
- Not
discriminating against them or stigmatizing them by doing the
following: Branding them names such as “walking corpse”; Denying them
education or health services; Denying them work opportunity; Chasing
them away from home; Refusing to share utensils or room with them; Not
involving them in decision-making processes; Hiding them from the
public. - Keeping their bodies, clothing and bedding clean
Precautions to be taken when Handling People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and STIs
Mention precautions to be taken when handling people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and STIs
Carers
will have their own concerns and worries, fears for the future, for
their families and for their own health. It is important that they take
care of themselves, get enough rest and have the appropriate information
and support to carry out their difficult task. The important messages
given below cannot be emphasized enough.
will have their own concerns and worries, fears for the future, for
their families and for their own health. It is important that they take
care of themselves, get enough rest and have the appropriate information
and support to carry out their difficult task. The important messages
given below cannot be emphasized enough.
- HIV/AIDS is not spread by food or water.
- HIV/AIDS
cannot be spread by sharing food, dishes or cooking utensils such as
cups, plates, knives and forks with a person who is HIV positive. - HIV/AIDS
cannot be spread by touching another person, hugging, shaking hands or
holding other people in a normal way. There is no need to avoid body
contact with a person living with HIV/AIDS.
Counseling and Voluntary Testing (CVT)
The concept of Counselling and Voluntary Testing
Explain the concept of counselling and voluntary testing
Counselling
and voluntary test is the process that is undertaken when a person
wants to find out if she/he is affected with HIV. Because it is
voluntary, a person who think they might have HIV decide on their own
whether they want to have the test done or not. If the individual
decided to go ahead with testing they will have the opportunity to
discuss the test with a trained counselor. Most clinics use rapid
accurate scientific tests that make the result available, usually within
twenty minutes after the test has been performed.
and voluntary test is the process that is undertaken when a person
wants to find out if she/he is affected with HIV. Because it is
voluntary, a person who think they might have HIV decide on their own
whether they want to have the test done or not. If the individual
decided to go ahead with testing they will have the opportunity to
discuss the test with a trained counselor. Most clinics use rapid
accurate scientific tests that make the result available, usually within
twenty minutes after the test has been performed.
Voluntary
counseling and testing (VCT) for HIV is an efficient internationally
recognized approach for people to find out their HIV status at a VCT
center. VCT has become one of the most effective and popular ways of
diagnosing people who may have been exposed to the virus or who have
been infected.
counseling and testing (VCT) for HIV is an efficient internationally
recognized approach for people to find out their HIV status at a VCT
center. VCT has become one of the most effective and popular ways of
diagnosing people who may have been exposed to the virus or who have
been infected.
The Significance of CVT in the Control and Prevention of HIV/AIDS and STIs
Outline the significance of CVT in the control and prevention of HIV/AIDS and STIs
VCT
is an important tool for preventing the spread of HIV especially in
communities where the epidemic is widespread. The following are the
importance of counseling voluntary test:
- It allows adolescents to find out their own HIV status in order to evaluate their behavior and its consequences.
- VCT clinics usually have 45 minutes counseling sessions that provide information about HIV and AIDS and testing process
- VCT
can help improve advocacy and reduce stigma by giving people the
opportunity to talk anonymously and confidentially with a counselor
about their HIV status
The Procedures and Techniques of CVT for HIV/AID
Explain the procedures and techniques of CVT for HIV/AIDS
There are three main steps in VCT, as explained below:
First Step:
There is a session of pre-test counseling where questions about
HIV/AIDS and the test are discussed and answered by the counselor. The
counselor will help the individual determine whether testing is
appropriate given the information that is shared with them about the
reason the individual wanted to be tested. Sharing information about
their past sexual behaviors will help the counselor determine whether
testing is appropriate. After making their assessment, if the counselor
deems it appropriate for the person to take the test they should:
- Describe the test and how it is performed
- Explain AIDS and the way infection is spread
- Discuss the ways to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS
- Explain the confidentiality of the test results
- Discuss the meaning of the possible test results
- Ask what impact you think the result of the test will have on them
- Discuss whom they might share their results with
- Discuss the importance of telling their sex partners and/or drug using partners if the result are positive
Second Step:
When the person decided to have the HIV test they must sign a consent
form before the test is administered. Informed consent is the crucial
part of the VCT process and it is important that the individual is aware
of their right to refuse any medical procedure, to be informed about it
and to agree to it.
There is a statement which they should be asked to
read beforehand stating that they have been informed about the
HIV-antibody test procedure, that they understand and have given their
consent to have the test performed.
Third Step:
After the test has been done, the counselor gives the results to the
person in the post-test counseling session. (It usually takes around
fifteen to twenty minutes after the test has been administered for the
results to be ready). If they are found to be HIV positive (meaning that
they have HIV) then they are referred to a medical specialist and other
counselor in order to aid them in receiving treatment and support.
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