HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY (HIV) ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME (AIDS) AND SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (STIS)

Relationship Between HIV, AIDS and STIs

Difference between HIV, AIDS and STIs

Distinguish between HIV, AIDS and STIs

HIV/AIDS [1] The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)^[9][10][11] is a retrovirus^[12] that attacks the immune system. It can be managed with treatment. Without treatment it can lead to a spectrum of conditions including acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).^[5] (Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)

Acquired means “to get from” this means that AIDS is gotten from other people, “Immune” means “protect”, this means that the body is normally protected against many diseases. Deficiency means “lack: and syndrome means a group of different symptoms of diseases.

AIDS is the pandemic disease, which is caused by a certain type of organism called virus. These types of viruses are called Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus destroys the Immune system, destruction of the immune system makes it easy for the body to be attacked by other diseases.

It takes a long time for HIV to damage the immune system. It takes years before the body’s immune system is destroyed. That is why some people may have HIV in their bodies but not look or feel sick yet. We call these people HIV carriers because they carry the virus in their bodies. When HIV carriers finally begin to show the sign and symptoms of AIDS then we say they have AIDS.

STDS and STIs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Sexually Transmitted Infections)

STDs and STIs are diseases and infections, which are transmitted through sexual intercourse. Examples of diseases and infections are: gonorrhea, syphilis, trichomoniasis, candidiasis, chlamadia, genital herpes and hepatitis B.

The Relationship between HIV and STIs

Explain the relationship between HIV and STIs

The link between HIV and other STIs might seem obvious. After all, the same sorts of risk behaviour are involved. However, numerous studies seem to indicate that there is a stronger association between HIV and other STIs than would be expected simply from a behavioural link. Infection with STIs (including syphilis, gonorrhoea and herpes) seems to increase the risk of both acquiring and transmitting HIV over and above a behavioural link. So does bacterial vaginosis, a condition not formally classed as an STI, since it appears not to be transmitted, but which is associated with poor sexual health generally.

Depending on the STI involved and the population, studies have reported that having an STI magnifies the risk of acquiring HIV by anything from two to eight times or more. In the case of people with HIV, having an STI increases viral loads both in the blood and genital secretions, thus making people more infectious – even when taking antiretroviral treatment.

Transmission of HIV/AIDS

HIV can be transmitted by:

1. Sexual intercourse with infected person
2. Blood Transfusion from an infected person
3. Organ transplant from an infected donor
4. An infected mother to her child during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding
5. Using unsterilized surgical instrument e.g. scalpel, needles etc
6. Sharing toothbrushes, sharing blades, nail cutter with infected person

Symptoms and Signs of HIV/AIDS

The following are symptoms of HIV/AIDS

1. Loss of weight
2. Persistent fever that lasts longer than a month
3. Diarrhea
4. Coughing for more that a month
5. Itchy rashes on the skin
6. White layer in the mouth and throat
7. Swollen gland especially in the neck and armpit
8. Genital rashes
9. Shortened breath

Effects of HIV/AIDS

People with AIDS get opportunistic infections and diseases, example of these infections and diseases are:

1. Chest infection such as pneumonia and Tuberculosis (TB)
2. Brain infection leading to mental confusion
3. Sever headaches and fits (seizures)
4. Stomach infection leading to diarrhea lasts for weeks
5. Skin cancer known as carposis sarcoma

Management and Control of HIV/AIDS and STIs

Ways of managing and controlling HIV, AIDS and STIs

Outline ways of managing and controlling HIV, AIDS and STIs

Prevention and Control Measures include:

1. Avoid irresponsible sexual behavior. Follow ABC guide: Abstain from sexual intercourse. This is the best method of prevention for the unmarried people Be faithful to one sexual partner Use Condom during sexual intercourse
2. Use sterilized instruments during surgery, circumcision and delivery
3. Wear disposable gloves when you touch other people’s bodily fluids
4. Only screened blood and organs should be used for transfusion and transplants
5. Go for HIV and AIDS test in order to know your status
6. Do not share toothbrushes and blades
7. People with HIV and AIDS should be given anti retroviral drugs (ARVs) which help to slow down the progression of the diseases in the body
8. Pregnant women should attend pre-natal clinic where they can be treated to prevent mother to child transmission
9. HIV positive mothers should not breastfeed their newborn babies

The Life Skills Needed for Home based Care for PLWHA

Mention the life skills needed for home based care for PLWHA

People with HIV and AIDS can live healthy lives for a longtime if they get proper care and support. We can care for them and support them in the following ways:

1. Giving them well-balanced meals in adequate quantities
2. Allowing them to rest when they feel unwell
3. Taking them to a health center as soon as they start developing signs of illness
4. Providing them with ARVs which help to slow down the advancement of the condition
5. Allowing them to work and exercise if the can
6. Behaving in a loving way toward them
7. Listening to them and helping them when they have a problem
8. Counseling them to stop behaviors that could worsen their condition. Example: taking drugs or having many sexual partners
9. Not discriminating against them or stigmatizing them by doing the following: Branding them names such as “walking corpse”; Denying them education or health services; Denying them work opportunity; Chasing them away from home; Refusing to share utensils or room with them; Not involving them in decision-making processes; Hiding them from the public.
10. Keeping their bodies, clothing and bedding clean

Precautions to be taken when Handling People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and STIs

Mention precautions to be taken when handling people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and STIs

Carers will have their own concerns and worries, fears for the future, for their families and for their own health. It is important that they take care of themselves, get enough rest and have the appropriate information and support to carry out their difficult task. The important messages given below cannot be emphasized enough.

• HIV/AIDS is not spread by food or water.
• HIV/AIDS cannot be spread by sharing food, dishes or cooking utensils such as cups, plates, knives and forks with a person who is HIV positive.
• HIV/AIDS cannot be spread by touching another person, hugging, shaking hands or holding other people in a normal way. There is no need to avoid body contact with a person living with HIV/AIDS.

Counseling and Voluntary Testing (CVT)

The concept of Counselling and Voluntary Testing

Explain the concept of counselling and voluntary testing

Counselling and voluntary test is the process that is undertaken when a person wants to find out if she/he is affected with HIV. Because it is voluntary, a person who think they might have HIV decide on their own whether they want to have the test done or not. If the individual decided to go ahead with testing they will have the opportunity to discuss the test with a trained counselor. Most clinics use rapid accurate scientific tests that make the result available, usually within twenty minutes after the test has been performed.

Voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) for HIV is an efficient internationally recognized approach for people to find out their HIV status at a VCT center. VCT has become one of the most effective and popular ways of diagnosing people who may have been exposed to the virus or who have been infected.

The Significance of CVT in the Control and Prevention of HIV/AIDS and STIs

Outline the significance of CVT in the control and prevention of HIV/AIDS and STIs

VCT is an important tool for preventing the spread of HIV especially in communities where the epidemic is widespread. The following are the importance of counseling voluntary test:

1. It allows adolescents to find out their own HIV status in order to evaluate their behavior and its consequences.
2. VCT clinics usually have 45 minutes counseling sessions that provide information about HIV and AIDS and testing process
3. VCT can help improve advocacy and reduce stigma by giving people the opportunity to talk anonymously and confidentially with a counselor about their HIV status

The Procedures and Techniques of CVT for HIV/AID

Explain the procedures and techniques of CVT for HIV/AIDS

There are three main steps in VCT, as explained below:

First Step: There is a session of pre-test counseling where questions about HIV/AIDS and the test are discussed and answered by the counselor. The counselor will help the individual determine whether testing is appropriate given the information that is shared with them about the reason the individual wanted to be tested. Sharing information about their past sexual behaviors will help the counselor determine whether testing is appropriate. After making their assessment, if the counselor deems it appropriate for the person to take the test they should:

1. Describe the test and how it is performed
2. Explain AIDS and the way infection is spread
3. Discuss the ways to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS
4. Explain the confidentiality of the test results
5. Discuss the meaning of the possible test results
6. Ask what impact you think the result of the test will have on them
7. Discuss whom they might share their results with
8. Discuss the importance of telling their sex partners and/or drug using partners if the result are positive

Second Step: When the person decided to have the HIV test they must sign a consent form before the test is administered. Informed consent is the crucial part of the VCT process and it is important that the individual is aware of their right to refuse any medical procedure, to be informed about it and to agree to it. There is a statement which they should be asked to read beforehand stating that they have been informed about the HIV-antibody test procedure, that they understand and have given their consent to have the test performed.

Third Step: After the test has been done, the counselor gives the results to the person in the post-test counseling session. (It usually takes around fifteen to twenty minutes after the test has been administered for the results to be ready). If they are found to be HIV positive (meaning that they have HIV) then they are referred to a medical specialist and other counselor in order to aid them in receiving treatment and support.