HIV and Aids Prevention

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is an infection and a set of symptoms that results from damage to the immune system of the human being. This damage is caused because of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). In this condition the efficiency and operation of the immune system is affected and this results in the individuals suffering from a large number of infections. HIV is transmitted by direct contact of mucous membrane or bloodstream with bodily fluids containing HIV. Such bodily fluids include semen, blood, preseminal fluid, breast milk and vaginal fluid. This transmission can occur through vaginal, oral or anal sex, blood transfusion, between mother and a baby in pregnancy, childbirth or in breastfeeding, through contaminated needles and other exposure to the above mentioned bodily fluids.

Some Important Aspects in HIV and AIDS Prevention

• For any HIV prevention program to be successful all possible approaches should be employed. For every route of transmission some things can be done by individuals to minimize or eliminate the risk of the infection and information regarding this should be made available.
• One of the most important things that should be done for HIV prevention is to identify the risk groups and then allocate resources based on the identified risk groups. So if the primary risk group is identified to be men having sex with men then this should be the target group for the HIV and AIDS prevention programs. Many individuals fit into multiple risk categories and thereby a comprehensive HIV program alone can be successful in mitigating this problem.
• One of the most important things that need to be done for HIV and AIDS prevention is to promote widespread awareness about this problem of HIV and how it is spread. Using media to create campaigns specifically directed at generating awareness and education within schools can be amongst the most effective ways.
• Also people who are suffering from HIV are less likely to transmit this virus to others if they are provided with complete information about their condition. For this purpose effective HIV counseling and testing services should also be provided to people.
• AIDS prevention program for older adults should involve providing counseling to individuals who are living with HIV in terms of the treatment that they can avail.
• Sex education is of crucial importance in spreading awareness of this global problem. Information of practicing safe sex and being responsible in sexual relationships can go a long way in tackling this problem. HIV and AIDS prevention programs should be developed so as to stress and encourage individuals to abstain from sex or to delay first sex. Likewise promoting faithfulness to ones sexual partner can be one of the cornerstones on which HIV prevention programs can be based. Encouraging people to consistently and correctly use female or male condoms should also form part of effective aids prevention programs. Small group counseling, social marketing and peer education are just some ways to get across the message.
• Special awareness programs and counseling facilities should be developed for the benefit of certain groups such as commercial sex workers, men who indulge in sex with men and young people as well as injecting drug users.
• Distribution of clean needles and safe disposal of used needles is crucial in HIV and AIDS prevention. Likewise referring drug users to treatment and rehab centers and providing counseling can help reduce the number of drug users falling prey to this menace.
• Screening of blood supplies for this virus and restricting eligibility towards donation of blood (without limiting supply) can help in minimising possibility of HIV.
• Pregnant women with HIV can take benefit of the antiretroviral drugs and ensure that the new born baby is not infected with HIV. Likewise a caesarean section can reduce the extent of exposure of the baby to the mother’s body fluids and thereby reduce the chances of the baby getting the dreaded HIV virus. Counselling of HIV positive mothers regarding the benefits and risks of other infant feeding options should be provided so as to select the most suitable option as per the situation.
• Finally stigma and discrimination should be strictly penalised since only this can allow people to be open towards obtaining and distributing information about this virus.