A hit on the search button should tell you what HIV / AIDS stands for. How many
of us really understand the meaning of these words?
HIV – Human Immunodeficiency Virus
HIV – Human Immunodeficiency Virus
- Is the virus that causes AIDS and can’t grow or reproduce on its own. It infects cells of living organism in order to replicate.
- Infection happened through another infected person’s bodily fluid : blood, semen, vaginal fluid, pre-ejaculate, pregnancy, perinatal transmission (transmission of infected mother to her baby at birth), breast milk and enters your bloodstream.
- Can
happen through contaminated needle sharing, unsafe sexual activity (oral sex, tip
of penis, vagina & rectum), blood transfusion or contact with open wound.
- Attacks our immune system by killing CD4 T lymphocyte or T cell (T cells are the quarterbacks of the immune system).
- There’s 2 main types : HIV 1 & HIV 2.
- Is for life.
AIDS – Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
- Attacks our immune system by killing CD4 T lymphocyte or T cell (T cells are the quarterbacks of the immune system).
- There’s 2 main types : HIV 1 & HIV 2.
- Is for life.
AIDS – Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
- Is
a medical condition caused by HIV if infected people were left untreated.
- The
most advance stage of HIV infection.
Common Myth &
Misconception of HIV Transmission
- Sexual
intercourse with virgin will cure AIDS.
- HIV
only infects gay men and drug users.
- Any
act of anal intercourse between gay men can lead to AIDS infection.
- Open
discussion of sexuality and HIV / AIDS will lead to increased rate of
homosexuality and HIV / AIDS.
- Transmit
through shaking hands, hugging, kissing and sharing food and drinks with a HIV
/ AIDS person or being sneezed, cough or spit on by a HIV / AIDS person.
- Spread
through toilet seats, doorknobs, dishes, drinking glasses used by person with
HIV / AIDS.
- Insect
bites e.g. mosquito, flea or tick.
Why should women be
concerned?
Because most people still think HIV / AIDS is a “homosexual disease”; so long
you are a heterosexual, it wouldn’t affect / concern you. However, statistic released by Malaysian AIDS Council will
show you otherwise.
As
women, we are biologically more vulnerable and factors such as these should be
taken into consideration :
- Income
bracket
- Social
status
- Lack
of education
- Traditional
gender roles
- Inability
/ lack of empowerment to negotiate condom use
- Consumption
/ implementation of family planning pills or devices
- Subjection
to non-consensual sex
- Drug
use
Not
only that, our childbearing role means we might have to contend with issues
such as mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Further burden of caring for any ill
parents, children or husband will automatically fall under the responsibility
of women who might also be the sole breadwinner.
Active roles women
can play
- Research,
read and understand more about HIV / AIDS
- Find
out if there’s any HIV / AIDS Drop in Center or Resource Center near you
- Always
practice safer sex – learn the proper usage of male / female condom and use
them whenever you engage in any sexual activity
- Do
not allow your partner to pressure you into having sex, especially if you are
not ready
- Go
to your gynaecologist annually and get pap smear and HIV/AIDS test done (or
every 6 months for HIV / AIDS test if you are sexually active)
- Visit
PT Foundation or Safe Clinic for free
Anonymous HIV tests
More news on women +
HIV/AIDS
HIV / AIDS event
Event
: International AIDS Memorial Day
Date
: 17.05
Symbol : Red Ribbon
History
: The
original International AIDS Candlelight Memorial was held in 1983, when the
cause of AIDS was unknown and no more than a few thousand AIDS deaths had been
recorded. The organizers wished to honor the memory of those lost to AIDS and
to demonstrate support for those living with AIDS. That remains the focus of
the event today.
Find out more :
Date
: 01.12
Symbol
: Red Ribbon
History
: World AIDS Day was first conceived in August 1987 by James W. Bunn and
Thomas Netter, two public information officers for the Global Programme on AIDS
at the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. Bunn and Netter took their idea
to Dr. Jonathan Mann, Director of the Global Programme on AIDS (now known as UNAIDS). Dr. Mann liked the concept, approved it, and agreed
with the recommendation that the first observance of World AIDS Day should be 1
December, 1988.
Find
out more :
This
year’s theme is “Getting to Zero”; I plead with you, don’t let ignorance or
lack of knowledge ruin you. Keep yourself safe : STOP AIDS, KEEP THE PROMISE.
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