AIDS/HIV - The Disease Introduced
Scientists in the US and France first recognized AIDS (Acquitted Immune Deficiency Syndrome) virus in 1981. Later on it was discovered that AIDS was caused by a virus named HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). This HIV virus attacks the human immune system leading to AIDS. This virus can remain dormant in the human body for a period up to ten years without exhibiting any symptoms or becoming AIDS disease. During this time period a person carrying HIV virus can unknowingly infect many other people. Today, there are more than 63 million HIV infected people in the world and about 3.6 million die each year due to AIDS.
HIV thrives in the white blood cells and sexual fluids of people. It mostly spreads due to sexual intercourse, by sharing syringes or needles amongst users, through transfusion of blood and during the pregnancy (if mother is infected) to the child.
It is also risky to use the razor of another person or getting tattoos done on your body using infected needles. However, HIV virus is never transmitted through kissing, fondling, sharing food, shaking hands and utensils. Aside from this, there is no danger of infection through saliva, tears, urine, sweat or excreta. Even mosquito bites will never cause AIDS. It is quite immoral to ostracize an AIDS victim.
Today there is worldwide awareness about this disease and blood banks everywhere now screen the blood samples for HIV. Similarly, you can protect yourself from contaminated needles by using fresh unused needles. People should use condom during sexual intercourse to safeguard against AIDS. Once used, condom should never be reused again. One should keep adequate supply of condoms to have safe sexual intercourse as it will be really difficult to purchase them at a short notice.
HIV usually spreads more due to anal sex than vaginal sex. This happens because internal lining in the rectum is quite fragile as compared to vaginal lining. It has also been observed that condoms usually rupture more during anal sex than vaginal sex. The persons having anal sex should use extra strong condoms along with the lubricants that are water based as oil based lubricants tend to weaken the rubber in condoms. While doing oral sex, you should not take any menstrual blood or semen into your mouth. Actually women carry 12 times more risk than men in contracting AIDS from males. This threat is much more if another STD (sexually transmitted disease) is also present.
Today there is no vaccine or drug for curing AIDS, and as this virus mutates frequently, there is no effective remedy. Many STDs like hepatitis B, syphilis or gonorrhea are far too common as compared to AIDS and even cause serious complications, but all these are curable. You should act responsibly and take adequate precautions to prevent the spread of AIDS and various other STDs. You will never know whether anybody is infected or even you yourself have got infected with this disease.
It is possible to detect HIV infection though a blood test because the antibodies made by the body to fight this virus can be seen using a microscope. Usually it takes about four weeks for these antibodies to develop and sometimes this duration can even extend to six months before they can be picked up in a test.
It is vital for you to get in touch with your doctor if you feel that you run a risk, so as to discuss the possibility of tests. It's better if you are aware that you carry the infection because this enables you to avoid infecting others. Aside from this, you can begin your treatment at an early stage to effectively control this virus within your body. If you are aware of somebody who is suffering from AIDS, you should provide them with the necessary support.