What we need to know about HIV / AIDS

Dr. H Diamond Sharma *

29th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial day by MNP+ at MDU hall, Imphal on May 20 2012 :: Pix - Bunti Phurailatpam

HIV stands for human immune-deficiency virus. It is the virus that causes AIDS.

AIDS stands for acquired immune deficiency syndrome. It is defined as the presence of one or more AIDS-related infections or illnesses or CD4 count below 200 cells per cu.mm of blood. CD4 count ranges from 400 to 1600 in healthy individuals.

The hallmark of HIV infection is the progressive loss of a specific type of immune cell called T-helper or CD4 cells. Most people do not develop symptoms for 10 to 12 years after infection, and a few remain symptom-free for much longer. As with most diseases, early medical care can help prolong a person's life.

The three important route of transmission from one person to another are: -

a) Sexual route (unprotected sex with stranger),

b) Blood to blood (it includes blood transfusion, sharing of needle and syringes among IDUs, etc.) and

c) Vertical transmission (from infected mother to child).

HIV is not transmitted through casual everyday contact such as sharing eating utensils or bathroom facilities, or through hugging or kissing (not deep kissing). Sweat, tears, vomit, stool and urine do contain HIV, but have not been reported to transmit the disease. Mosquitoes, fleas, and other insects do not transmit HIV.

In Manipur, HIV was detected for the first time from a group of Intravenous Drug Users (IVDUs) and officially declared in February 1990. Ever since its detection, HIV positivity rate is on the increasing trend. Today, the epidemic is no more confined only among the IVDUs but penetrated into the general population. No women, no children, high or low, rich or poor is spared from infection. GOs and NGOs are fighting heart and soul against the scourge of HIV/AIDS epidemic in Manipur.

If you think you might have been exposed to HIV, you should get tested as soon as possible. In Manipur, we have ICTC/PPTCT for every district. At the government designated testing centres, counselors can answer questions about high-risk behavior and suggest ways you can protect yourself and others in the future. They can also help you understand the meaning of the test results and refer you to local AIDS-related resources for further management.

Initiation of timely Anti-retroviral therapy (ART) can prolong our life span and could maintain a quality life. ART are available at the government designated ART centres free of cost. Vaccine development research and the quest for cure continue.

Everyone can play a role in confronting the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Here are just a few suggestions for how you can make a difference:

a) Volunteer with your local AIDS service organization,
b) Talk with the young people you know about HIV/AIDS,
c) Sponsor an AIDS education event or fund raiser with your local school, community group, or religious organization and
d) Speak out against AIDS-related discrimination.

Lesson learned

Avoid sharing of needle and syringes while injecting drugs (if not able to give-up completely). Prevention is better than cure.
Avoid sex with strangers (use condom if unavoidable).
Early detection of HIV infection, regular health check-up and timely initiation of ART are the only options to maintain better health and lead a quality life.

What we need to know about Hepatitis B and C

Hepatitis B and C are blood borne liver disease. Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Inflammation is the painful, red swelling those results when tissues of the body become injured or infected. Inflammation can cause organs not to work properly.

The liver is an organ that does many important things. It removes harmful chemicals from our blood, fight infections; helps digest food, store nutrients and vitamins, store energy, etc. We cannot live without liver. It is regarded as the policeman of the body.

Risk group of Hepatitis B and C are people who are born to a mother with either Hepatitis B or C, people who live with someone who has Hepatitis B (less common in case of Hepatitis C), people who have lived in an area where Hepatitis B is endemic (rare in case of Hepatitis C), people who are exposed to blood or body fluids of infected persons at work, people who had blood transfusion or organ transplant without proper screening, people who have had more than one sexual partner in the last six months or have a history of sexually transmitted diseases (STD), injecting drug users, people who receive repeated blood products (haemophilia), etc.

Hepatitis B or C could be infected from being born to an infected mother, having sex with an infected person, being tattooed or pierced with unsterilized tools that were used by an infected person, using an infected person's razor or toothbrush, sharing drug needles with an infected person, etc. Hepatitis B or C is not transmitted from shaking hands with an infected person, hugging or sitting next to an infected person.

Symptoms of Hepatitis either B or C includes yellowish eye and skin (jaundice), prolong bleeding time, swollen stomach or ankles, easy bruising, tiredness, stomach upset, fever, diarrhoea, light-color stool, dark yellow urine, loss of appetite, etc.

Hepatitis B or C is diagnosed through blood test. Liver function also can be monitored by blood test.

Hepatitis C has no vaccine but B has. To protect from Hepatitis B infection we need to vaccinate Hepatitis B vaccine in 3 doses (0, 1 and 6 months).

Hepatitis B or C is not treated unless it becomes chronic (presence of the virus in the blood for more than 6 months). Chronic Hepatitis B or C is treated with drugs that slow or stop the virus from damaging the liver. Liver transplant (replacing failed liver with a healthy liver from a donor) may be necessary if chronic Hepatitis causes liver failure.

We can protect ourselves from Hepatitis B or C infection if we do not share drug needles; wear gloves if we have to touch another person's blood, use a condom during sex, not to borrow another person's toothbrush/razor or anything that could have blood on it. Be sure any tattoos or body piercing we get are done with sterile tools. We should not donate blood or blood products if we have either Hepatitis B or C.

Lesson learned

Hepatitis B or C transmits much faster than that of HIV. Avoid risk behaviors.
Protect liver from being damage or injury. Liver is a vital organ of life.
Vaccination of Hepatitis B vaccine to protect from Hepatitis B virus infection.

(Courtesy: Reminder published by AMADA)