Disease Prevention in Women (cont.)
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
HIV is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired
immune
deficiency syndrome).
While modern anti-HIV medications have significantly improved long-term survival
and quality of life of HIV infected individuals, there is still no cure or
vaccine. HIV infection is still eventually lethal in everyone who is infected.
Therefore, preventing the spread of HIV is the most important step in preventing
illness and death due to HIV infection.
Screening tests
- Screening blood test for antibodies to HIV is called
an ELISA test.
Confirmatory test for antibodies to HIV is called a
Western blot.
- HIV infected individuals can remain free of symptoms for many years; they
will know if they are infected ONLY if a blood test for HIV is done. HIV testing
can be performed by a physician or at a testing center.
Who should be tested
The following individuals should be routinely offered HIV testing:
- Pregnant women
- Individuals with occupational exposure to HIV (health care workers and
researchers working with HIV)
- Individuals with high-risk sexual behavior (multiple sexual partners,
unprotected intercourse), or who practice needle-sharing
- Anyone requesting HIV testing
- Individuals with active tuberculosis, unexplained
fevers, low white blood cell counts, or who have been diagnosed with a
sexually transmitted infection.
Most infected individuals will develop a positive HIV blood test within three
months of being exposed to HIV. If the HIV test at
three months is negative and
there are risk factors for infection, the test should be repeated in another
three
months.
Benefits of early detection
Theoretically, early treatment with anti-HIV medications may help the body's
immune system fight the virus. So far, early treatment cannot cure or eradicate
the virus. Therefore, early detection is most important to prevent the spread of
the virus.
The virus is present in the blood, genital, and other body secretions of
virtually all infected individuals, regardless of whether or not they have
symptoms. The HIV virus is spread from one person to another when these
secretions come in contact with the vagina, anal area,
mouth, or eyes, or with a break in the skin, such as from a
cut,
bruise, sore, or puncture by a needle.
Sexual transmission of HIV has been described from men to men, men to women,
women to men, and women to women through vaginal, anal, and oral sex.
Prevention of spread of HIV
- Abstinence from sex until both partners are certain
that they are not infected (for example both partners test negative for HIV
antibody after the
last potential exposure). While most newly infected individuals test positive by
two months after infection, up to 5% are still negative after six months with
routine testing. If abstinence is not possible, use latex barriers such as a
condoms and a dental dam (piece of latex that prevents vaginal secretions from
coming in direct contact with the mouth.)
- For pregnant women infected with HIV, proper
prenatal counseling, treatment
with anti-HIV drugs after the first trimester, proper handling of the delivery
process, and short-term treatment of the newborn child can very substantially
reduce HIV infection in the newborn.
- Avoid sharing of needles, razor blades, and toothbrushes.
- Health care workers who experience a
needle stick or exposure of the eyes,
mouth, or injured skin from an infected person must take anti-HIV medication in
order to reduce the risk of developing infection.
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