Download It can be prevented, it depends on you

Infection from
and
HIV
AIDS
It can be prevented,
it depends on you
Aids is a problem
for everyone
Aids (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is a slow-developing
infectious disease caused by the human immune deficiency virus
(HIV). It is a serious disease but it can be prevented. Anyone can be infected and
prevention depends on each person’s behaviour, but also on the establishment
of a tolerant and respectful attitude towards different life styles, and support for
those infected, or those especially vulnerable to infection by this virus.
Present day reality shows us the need and the importance of
prevention as a basic measure because, as yet, there is no vaccination against
AIDS and no cure.
It is also very important for the infection to be diagnosed early,
as, fortunately, there are medicines available to prolong the lives of infected
people and provide a better quality of life.
3400 cases of AIDS have been diagnosed in Galicia and between 5200 and
7100 people infected with HIV are estimated to be living here and, at least
25% of them do not know that they are infected.
The aim of this publication is to help clarify doubts about HIV infection from a
standpoint that shows respect for individual ethics and morals, as well as for the
varied life styles of the people who make up society, encouraging positive attitudes
towards this problem.
What is
HIV?
HIV is a virus that specifically attacks some of the immune system
cells that defend us from germs and illnesses.
The most important cells in the human immune system are the
lymphocytes, which are divided into two large groups: type-B and type-T.
Within type-T are the T4, which play a very important role in the immune
system and are directly attacked by HIV, causing an immune
deficiency that stops them from defending the body.
After entering the human body and causing the infection, the affected
person may not show any symptoms for several years. At this first
stage, the HIV invades and actively multiplies itself in the infected
immune system cells.
After some years, when the immune system has greatly deteriorated,
several diseases typical of AIDS appear: various types of infection, some
types of cancer…
[
From the moment a person becomes infected,
they can pass it on to others if appropriate
protection measures are not taken
What is
AIDS?
The word AIDS is the acronym of acquired immune deficiency syndrome:
A stands for Acquired, what means that it is not inherited but we obtain it at
some time in our life.
I stands for Immune and it is related to the immune system, which is the
mechanism our body has to defend us from micro-organisms that cause
disease.
D stands for Deficiency, which means that something is not working
properly, in this case, the immune system.
S stands for Syndrome which is the set of signs and symptoms for the disease.
Therefore, AIDS is the appearance of one or more illnesses
caused by immune deficiency, which in turn is caused by HIV
infection.
[
AIDS is the most severe and advanced stage of
HIV infection
Transmission of
HIV
Before the virus can be transmitted, there must be:
>> A source of infection, where the HIV comes from. There are only four
fluids containing enough of the virus to pass it on: blood, semen,
vaginal discharge and, to a lesser extent, mother’s milk from
people infected.
>> A transmission channel. This allows the carrier’s HIV to reach
another person. These channels are: blood, sex and the mother-child
relationship.
>> A recipient. HIV enters the body when the infectious fluids come into
contact with blood or a mucous membrane (lining of the interior of the vagina,
penis, rectum, mouth…).
HIV CAN BE PASSED ON BY THESE DANGEROUS PRACTICES:
1. Sexual intercourse without a condom
HIV can be passed on if you have sexual intercourse with infected people
without protection (either hetero- or homosexual).
Not all types of sexual intercourse carry the same risk:
>> Anal intercourse without a condom involves a higher risk
because the mucous membrane of the rectum is fragile and can be easily
damaged, which helps the virus to enter. If there is also bleeding, the HIV
in the blood will be added to those in the semen.
>> Vaginal intercourse without condom is also high risk.
>> Unprotected oral sex is a lesser cause of infection.
Some other important issues related to sexual transmission are:
> The presence of sexually transmitted diseases, sores and/or genital ulcers
increases the risk of infection.
> The more sexual partners you have, the higher the risk of getting infected
with HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases.
[
It is important to emphasise that there has been
a steady increase in AIDS through heterosexual
relationships over the last few years
2. Sharing syringes, needles, other things used for injecting, or any sharp
instrument that might have been in contact with HIV-infected blood.
The infection occurs when the blood from an infected person gets
into another person's bloodstream.
This happens with people sharing syringes and/or other items for
injecting drugs (spoons, tampons, filters, etc).
Other sharp or cutting instruments that have not been thoroughly disinfected
can also be a means of transmission. Such objects are, for example,
acupuncture and tattoo needles, razor blades, manicure scissors etc., electric
epilators, piercing or ear-piercing instruments…
Likewise, sharing personal effects such as toothbrushes is also risky, in theory at least,
because gum bleeding while brushing teeth is quite frequent and therefore you should not
share such items of personal hygiene.
3. Mother-child relationship
Transmission that takes place from mother to child during pregnancy,
delivery or breast-feeding is called perinatal transmission.
The chances of this type of transmission occurring are reduced if the
infected woman is appropriately treated during pregnancy.
HIV IS NOT TRANSMITTED BY:
Sharing the work place… Sharing a room… Attending the same school or classroom…
Hugging… Kissing… Tears… Sweat… Coughing… Eating at the same table… Sharing
showers… Swimming in the same swimming pool…
Blood transfusions and the use of blood products, as well as organ
transplants, are subject to rigorous health checks that include screening for HIV.
The virus cannot be transmitted by mosquito bites or by any other insects.
[
There is no risk of HIV transmission during
normal daily activities
Preventing the transmission of
HIV
It is important to bear in mind that it is dangerous practices that allow HIV to
be transmitted. Anyone can get infected.
Dangerous practices are personal behaviour that can be modified.
Changing this behaviour or taking preventive measures explained
below are efficient methods for avoiding infection with HIV.
Prevention depends on you.
1. Preventing sexually transmitted HIV
Very often, you do not know whether someone is infected or not. That is the reason why you
must use a condom (male or female) properly every time you have sexual intercourse (vaginal,
anal or oral) with people infected with HIV, or with those you cannot be certain are not infected.
If both of partners are HIV carriers, they must practice safe sex in order to avoid
reinfection.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE CORRECT USE OF THE MALE CONDOM
Use condoms complying with current regulations and within the expiry date.
Store condoms in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Take care not to damage the condom.
Put the condom on when the penis is erect and keep it on throughout the intercourse. When withdrawing, hold it
at the base of the penis while the penis is still erect.
If additional lubrication is used, use only water-based lubricants. Do not use Vaseline, body lotions etc… that could
damage the condom.
Use a new condom every time intercourse takes place, even if there has been no penetration.
[
A condom is the most efficient method of avoiding
sexually transmitted HIV and other infectious diseases,
while also preventing unwanted pregnancies
2. Prevention of transmission through blood
The best thing would be to stop taking drugs or, at least, stop taking intravenous drugs.
Change them for drugs that are smoked, inhaled or sniffed, or for oral methadone.
If intravenous drugs are still used, always use sterile instruments and do
not share syringes, needles or other items used in preparing
drugs before injecting.
Do not use a dirty needle or syringe, even if it belongs to someone
you know and who is apparently healthy. You must remember that HIV
infection may not become apparent for years. Neither should you re-use your
own needles, etc.
All instruments that might have come into contact with blood must be thrown
away or disinfected after each use. This includes acupuncture, tattoo and earpiercing needles, dental instruments, razor blades, piercing instruments…
3. Preventing perinatal transmission
Every pregnant woman, or one thinking of having a child, must go to the doctor as
soon as possible in order to be tested for HIV/AIDS. Treatment is available which,
if received early, greatly reduces the risk of transmitting the virus from the
infected mother to the child.
An infected mother cannot breast-feed her baby.
A woman infected with HIV can choose to have a legal abortion.
[
If you are pregnant or are thinking of having a baby,
get tested for AIDS. You have nothing to lose and both
you and your baby have everything to gain
How is
HIV infection detected?
As with any other infectious agent, when the HIV enters the human body, it is
recognized as foreign and triggers a response from the immune system, which tries
to stem the infection. This produces HIV anti-bodies, which are detected by
specific laboratory tests.
Is it important to be tested for
HIV/AIDS?
Knowing whether you are infected with HIV or not is very
important because, if you are, you can, at least, slow down the
appearance of AIDS by following advice from medical staff. If you are not
infected, you can eliminate a cause of worry.
[
Currently, at least 25% of infected people
do not know they are carrying HIV
The therapeutic and preventive benefits of early diagnosis of HIV have been
clearly proven. When HIV is detected early, not only are chances of survival and
a better quality of life greater, but safer behaviour is adopted. Therefore, it is
essential to be tested for HIV, voluntarily and confidentially, and
with advice available.
A person who wants to be tested will receive advice from the medical staff in
order to understand the result of the test, whatever this might be, and to receive
appropriate psychological support, if needed. This assistance will help the HIVpositive person to preserve a more positive attitude in the face of problems from
HIV infection. It will help strengthen preventive measures so as not to infect others,
and to take the precautions required to reduce risks as the infection develops.
Who should be tested for
HIV/AIDS?
Anyone, man or woman, can be infected with HIV if they have
ever been exposed to the infection through sex or blood. So it
is advisable to be tested for HIV/AIDS if you find yourself in one of the
following situations:
>> Pregnant women or women wishing to have a baby.
>> People who have had heterosexual intercourse without a condom with
different partners, with prostitutes, with drug takers or with HIV-infected
people.
[
As there is no vaccination or cure,
prevention is the only effective
way of fighting HIV
>> Men who have had homosexual intercourse without a condom, especially
with different partners, with male prostitutes, with drug takers or men
infected with HIV.
>> People who have shared syringes or instruments for injecting drugs.
>> People directly exposed to blood or contaminated body fluids, when
contact is through broken skin (sores, eczema…).
Useful addresses
DIRECCIÓN XERAL DE SAÚDE PÚBLICA
Servizo de Control de Enfermidades
Transmisibles
Edificio administrativo San Lázaro, s/n
15703 Santiago de Compostela
981 542 960
SUBDIRECCIÓN XERAL DE SAÚDE
MENTAL E DROGODEPENDENCIAS
Edificio administrativo San Lázaro, s/n
15703 Santiago de Compostela
981 541 860
FREE INFORMATION PHONE
FOR HIV/AIDS
Plan Nacional sobre a Sida
900 111 000 (das 10 ás 20 horas)
[email protected]
AIDS PREVENTION COMMITTEES
COMITÉ CIUDADÁN ANTISIDA DA CORUÑA
(CASCO)
Rúa Padre Sarmiento, 24 bajo
15005 A Coruña
981 144 151
[email protected]
COMITÉ ANTISIDA FERROLTERRA
“LAZOS PRO-SOLIDARIEDADE”
Rúa Fernando VI, 18 bajo
15403 Ferrol
981 350 777
COMITÉ ANTISIDA DE LUGO
Parque Milagrosa, Avda. da Coruña, s/n
Nave Asociacións, local 3
27003 Lugo
982 263 098
[email protected]
COMITÉ CIDADÁN ANTISIDA DE OURENSE
Praza do Trigo, 6 entresótano
32005 Ourense
988 233 000
[email protected]
[email protected]
COMITÉ CIDADÁN GALEGO ANTISIDA
Rúa Betanzos, 35 bajo
15703 Santiago de Compostela
981 573 401
[email protected]
COMITÉ CIDADÁN ANTIVIH AROUSÁN
“CCANVIHAR”
Rúa Padre Feixoó, 9-1º (Apdo. de correos 431)
36600 Vilagarcía de Arousa
986 508 901
[email protected]
HOSPITAL UNITS FOLLOWING UP HIV/AIDS
HOSPITAL JUAN CANALEJO
Servizo de Medicina Interna
As Xubias de Arriba, 84
15006 A Coruña
981 178 000
HOSPITAL CLÍNICO UNIVERSITARIO DE
SANTIAGO
Servizo de Medicina Interna
Travesía da Choupana, s/n
15706 Santiago de Compostela
981 950 000
HOSPITAL ARQUITECTO MARCIDE
Servizo de Medicina Interna
Estrada San Pedro de Leixa, s/n
15045 Ferrol
981 334 000
COMPLEXO HOSPITALARIO XERAL-CALDE
Servizo de Medicina Interna
Rúa Doutor Severo Ochoa, s/n
27004 Lugo
982 296 000
COMPLEXO HOSPITALARIO DE OURENSE
Servizo de Medicina Interna
Rúa Ramón Puga, 54
32005 Ourense
988 385 500
HOSPITAL PROVINCIAL DE PONTEVEDRA
Servizo de Medicina Interna
Rúa Loureiro Crespo, 2
32002 Pontevedra
986 800 000
HOSPITAL XERAL-CÍES
Servizo de Medicina Interna
Rúa Pizarro, 22
36204 Vigo
986 816 000
HOSPITAL DO MEIXOEIRO
Servizo Medicina Interna
O Meixoeiro, s/n
36200 Vigo
986 811 111
HOSPITAL POVISA
Servizo de Medicina Interna
Rúa Salamanca, 5
36211 Vigo
986 413 144
OTHER USEFUL ADDRESSES
The following organisations in your area:
Support Units for Drug Dependency (UAD)
Family Support Units (COF)
INTERNET ADDRESSES
http://dxsp.sergas.es
Dirección Xeral de Saúde Pública.
Xunta de Galicia
http://www.unaids.org
United Nations Programme for HIV/AIDS
(UNAIDS)
http://www.msc.es
Ministerio de Sanidade e Consumo
http://www.cdc.gov
Centres for Control and Prevention of
Disease (CDC). HIV/AIDS
http://www.usc.es/nutrivih
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela.
Nutrición
Consellería
de Sanidade
Dirección Xeral
de Saúde Pública
Difux, S.L. • Dep. Legal: C 3940-2007
Información divulgativa
CONSELLERÍA DE SANIDADE
Dirección Xeral de Saúde Pública