Living With HIV and AIDS
Is it easier to treat or prevent the HIV infection

If you know you have put yourself at risk for developing AIDS, what should you do?  Most people know if they have a high risk factor for getting the disease.  They may have had multiple sexual partners and one of them may have been infected or have been an IV drug user.  Many people, although they know the answer will still wonder, Is it simplier to treat or prevent the hiv infection.  They know they are at risk, but are still afraid to see a doctor and be tested for the virus.  You may not have any signs or symptoms of HIV or AIDS for up to ten years or more.  That does not mean you are safe.  Your immune system is being attacked even if you are not feeling sick.  Testing is the only way to find out if you have the HIV virus.  The chances of contracting the hiv infection from blood draw is nill because only sterile needles are used.

Is it easier to treat or prevent the HIV infection

You should be aware that not everyone who has been exposed to the HIV virus will get it.  Patients who have the virus do not always develop AIDS.  These are important facts to know, but you should not be complacent about prevention and treatment of the disease.  You can get the virus by exchanging bodily fluids with a person who is infected with the HIV virus.  You can be exposed to body fluids by having unprotected sexual activity, sharing needles and syringes, or from having a blood transfusion.  The risk of getting the virus through blood transfusions has been reduced since all donated blood is now tested for the presence of the HIV virus.

You may also get the virus from transplanted organs, but again, this is rare since the mid 1980’s because of precautions that are now taken.  Medical professionals have a greater risk of getting the virus and need to be careful when dealing with any patients.  Protective latex gloves, masks, and goggles will protect you from contaminated blood or body fluids splashed on you while treating a patient.  The eyes can be an entry point for the AIDS virus if blood or other contaminated fluids should reach it.  The risks to medical staff can be greatly reduced by using sound safety precautions but the chance is still present of contracting the hiv infection from blood draw.

Did You Know? 

The signs of symptoms of AIDS or HIV are different depending on what stage the infection is in. When a person is first infected they may have flu-like symptoms and swollen lymph nodes but recover quickly. This flu-like sickness may occur two to six weeks after being infected and is not always associated with the possibility of HIV infection. Even if you do not have any of these symptoms until years later, you can still infect other people with the virus. Once your body is invaded with the HIV or AIDS virus, your immune system is under attack. Even though you may not be having any symptoms, you can still pass the disease on to another person. Meanwhile, even if you are symptom free, your cells that coordinate your immune system are slowly being destroyed. You can remain this way for as many as ten years but during that time you will begin it experience more frequent infections as your immune cells are destroyed. You may experience chronic symptoms such as diarrhea, weight loss, shortness of breath, cough, fever, and unexplained weight loss.

Once you have been tested and found to be HIV positive your treatment begins.  It may not be conventional drugs, but you start treating the disease with your attitude and life style.  Living healthy, getting enough rest, and taking care not to expose yourself to infectious diseases can keep you healthier, longer.  After the early diagnosis for HIV you may want to find a counselor or support group that will help you deal with the emotions that go with this disease.  It is your choice of which people you tell, but you will have more support if you tell your family and loved ones what you are facing.  If you choose not to do that, find a support group or individual counselor who will help you cope with the diagnosis.

Take an active role in choosing treatment for your disease.  Depression can cause you to lose interest in your health and treatment but this is something you should fight against.  Don’t put your life and quality of life in someone else’s hands.  You should always be active in the choice of treatment choices.

AIDS Facts Researchers are trying to develop a chemical that can be used during sex as a barrier to passing on the disease.

Education is the key to choosing the treatment best for you.  Read all the research and information you can find on the Internet.  Keep abreast of any new research and developments.  Stay healthy and when treatment is necessary, don’t be afraid to explore all of your options.  Above all else do remember that hiv infection from blood draw should be a safe procedure for both the patient and medical professional.  Is it simplier to treat or prevent the hiv infection, of course it is far easier to prevent the infection.

Important Information in AIDS and HIV Issues

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