AIDS
Alternative names:
acquired immune deficiency syndrome
Prevention:
AIDS is a fatal, incurable, sexually transmitted disease
(STD). HIV transmission can occur when blood, semen (including
pre-seminal fluid, or "pre-cum"), vaginal fluid, or breast
milk from an infected person enters the body of an uninfected
person. High-risk behaviors (in order from higher to lower
risk) include: blood transfusions, needle sharing, anal intercourse,
vaginal intercourse, and oral sex. Another common mode of
transmission is by HIV-infected women to babies before or
during birth, or through breast-feeding after birth.
Prevention of AIDS requires self-discipline and strength
of character. The requirements often seem personally restrictive
but they are effective and can save your life.
- Do not have sexual intercourse with:
- people known or suspected to be infected with AIDS
- multiple partners
- a person who has multiple partners
- people who use IV drugs
- Do not use intravenous
drugs. If IV drugs are used, do not share needles or syringes.
Avoid exposure to blood from injuries, nosebleeds,
and so on, where the HIV status of the bleeding
individual is unknown. Protective clothing, masks, and
goggles may be appropriate when caring for people who
are injured.
- People with AIDS or asymptomatic
individuals who have a positive antibody
test may pass the disease on to others and should not
donate blood, plasma, body organs, or sperm. From a legal,
ethical, and moral standpoint, they should warn any prospective
sexual partner of their HIV positive status. They should
not exchange body fluids during sexual activity and must
use whatever preventative measures (such as a latex condom)
that will afford the partner the most protection.
- HIV positive women should be counseled before becoming
pregnant about the
risk to their infant and medical advances which may help
prevent the fetus from becoming infected.
- HIV positive women should not breast feed their infant.
Safer sex behaviors
may reduce the risk of acquiring the infection. There remains
a risk of acquiring the infection even with the use of condoms.
Abstinence is the only sure way to prevent sexual transmission
of the virus.
Updated Date: 06/22/00
Luis A. Diaz, Jr. M.D., Johns Hopkins Medical
Institute, VeriMed Health Network
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