Topic 4: AIDS
AIDS comes from Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome which means the syndrome that is caused by degeneration or immune deficiency. The symptoms occur after being infected, it is not inborn or genetic.
Acquired - means a later condition which is not inborn or
genetically inherited
Immune - means anti-body system
Deficiency - means defects or the lack of something
Syndrome - a group of diseases
It is caused by HIV (Human Immune Deficiency Virus). When the virus enters into the body, they will against the white bloods which have the duty to against disease. Then the immunity is defective and the body becomes weak. When there are any infection to this people, it will be severe than others and can lead to be died.
Symptoms
The most of infected people will not show any symptom, but they will transmit to others. However, there are some of them who will be suspected to be infected by HIV which is observed easily as follow.
1. Lymph nodes, armpits and groin will be swollen for longer than 3 months.
2. The body weight will decrease by 3 -4 kg or more than 10% of body weight within 3 months without cause.
3. Chronic diarrhea for longer than 3 months.
4. Be bored with food and easily tired for longer than 3 months
5. Cough without cause for longer than 3 months.
6. Have fever up to 37.8° Celsius and night sweats for longer than 1 month.
7. Have white spots in the mount for longer than 3 months.
8. Have reddish and purple lumps all around the body that become bigger.
9. Be weak on arms and legs. Moreover, both arms and legs cannot work together. These symptoms do not mean that the person has AIDS until confirmed by a blood test.
Infection
HIV can infect by many reasons but common and the most important reasons are as follow.
1. From having sex with someone who is infected with HIV.
2. From a blood transfusion or blood products contaminated with HIV.
3. From sharing syringes with people who are infected with HIV especially drug addict who inject intravenous.
4. From the infected mother to a baby.
HIV will not be transmitted by these conditions
1. Same school or same house.
2. Touching hands or speaking.
3. Eating at the same table.
4. Using the same telephone or a public telephone.
5. Using the same toilet or a public toilet.
6. Playing with infected people.
7. Swimming in the same pool.
8. Being bitten by mosquitoes or insects.
Preventing HIV
HIV is a disease which cannot be cured completely, so it should be prevented as follows:
1. Don’t take drugs. If you are addicted, be treated to quit the drugs. Moreover, avoid sharing syringes or injection tubes with others.
2. Use condom when having sex.
3. Do not share personal belonging with others especially belongings that may contain blood such as toothbrush, razor blade, tattoo needle, ear piercing needle etc.
4. HIV infected woman should avoid to become pregnant because the chance to infect the baby is around 50%.