At the Mountain (ATM)

HIV/AIDS Background HIV infection is a disease caused by the human immune deficiency virus, also known as HIV. It was first identified in early 1980s. the virus infect the human and causes progressive destruction of the immune systems over several years, leading to the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome which is the full blown form of the disease EPIDEMIOLOGY HIV infection exists throughout the world. However, sub Saharan Africa is the most affected, with 70% of HIV infection. METHOD OF TRANSMISSION TO CHILDREN HIV spreads to children in four ways. They are as follows Vertical transmission This refers to transmission from mother to child before or around the time of birth or through breastfeeding. In Africa, the probability of this occurring ranges from 20-40 %, varying between countries, so that between 20-40% of babies born to HIV infected mothers become HIV infected. Blood transfusion There is an over 95% probability of HIV infection if a child is transfused with a blood fr...

The Global HIV/AIDS Epidemic According to UNAIDS : There were approximately 36.7 million people worldwide living with HIV/AIDS at the end of 2016. Of these, 2.1 million were children (<15 years old). An estimated 1.8 million individuals worldwide became newly infected with HIV in 2016 – about 5,000 new infections per day. This includes 160,000 children (<15 years). Most of these children live in sub-Saharan Africa and were infected by their HIV-positive mothers during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding. Approximately 70% of people living with HIV globally were aware of their HIV status in 2016. The remaining 30% (over 11 million people) still need access to HIV testing services. HIV testing is an essential gateway to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services. As of June 2017, 20.9 million people living with HIV were accessing antiretroviral therapy (ART) globally, up from 15.8 million in June 2015, 7.5 million in 2010, and less than one million in 2000. 1 mil...

Most people do not actually know the difference between HIV and Aids.HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system,our body's natural defense against illness.Aids describes set of symptoms and illness that happen at the final stage of HIV infection.AIDs stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome,it's also called advanced HIV One can get HIV infection when he/she comes into contact with infected body fluids such as blood,semen,vaginal secretions and breast milk.In order for HIV to be transmitted HIV must be present and it must get inside the body.Sexual behaviors that can transmit HIV include vaginal sex,anal sex or oral sex.Othet ways of hiv infection include sharing needles when shooting druhs,home tattooing and body piercing,accidental needle sticks,blood transfusion,childbirth and breastfeeding. Most people with HIV infection do not look sick and they do not know they are sick until tested and found to be HIV positive.HIV cannot be transmitted through saliva,tears,sw...

CULTURAL PRACTICES AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS THAT ENCOURAGE THE SPREAD OF HIV/AIDS 1.Circumcision. circumcision as a cultural activity may facilitate the spread of HIV/AIDs if the instruments used to perform the operation are unsterilized.Futhermore the,there is more possibility of transmitting HIV/AIDS during circumcision if the initiates have direct contact with each other's blood. 2.Widow/widower inheritance HIV/AIDS is well known as a killer disease moreso in the married couples.Traditionally if one of the married partner unfortunately die of AIDS, either as a widow or a widower, he/she leaves the other partner being infected with the similar disease.According to various laws from some communities,living a solitary life could be seen as an awkward way of life therefore the abandoned widow or a widower could be forcefully engaged in the second marriage through inheritance of relatives with the irrespective of gender. 3.Polygamous marriage polygamous marrige reffers to a situat...

Communication roles on HIV/AIDS(mass media services). Radio,television and other mass media can be powerful contributors to quality improvement efforts for HIV/AIDS_related services in societies that are open about the reality of HIV/AIDS.behavior modeling through radio and TV sports, drama and public service announcement (PSAs)can help shape positive norm's and improve service providers performance  as well as increase health seeking behaviors of client at the clinic level ( kincai . et al2000,storey ,l.et al 1999) Program s can generate demand for service in general manner or through a"branding" approach .the systematic to this is called social franchising .Branding or social franchising promote  services through a  logo or symbol that identifies  a  particular characteristics response to a given market niches (eg youth friendly sites,quality service at an affordable price).To use the brand or logo a given service point must undergo training and usually up...

*PORTRAYAL OF HIV/AIDS IN THE MEDIA* This refers to the events and trends in the discussion if Hiv/Aids in the mass media HIV  has led to large amount of illness and deaths .Its unique from other diseases because there is stigma and discrimination sorrounding those affected with the disease .the transmission of HIV is extremely preventable  since media is effective to convey this information. Most media outlets have shown the tendency to universalize by emphasizing risk to entire age group,sex,sexual orientation as opposed to the behaviours and characteristics of individuals which pose the greater risk. The media explain a role in shaping the publics perception onHIV/AIDS by sharing stories which help the people understand about the disease through human eyes . Media's public support along with portrayals in television and films help to create emphathy to the public about the disease. Media has also helped in prevention of HIV/ AIDS by; 1)media has opened channels fo...

ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF HIV/AIDS HIV and AIDS affects economic growth by reducing the availability of human capital. This is due to low esteem on individuals infected by the virus. Some lack importance of working since they see their lives worthless.  Without proper prevention, nutrition, health care and medicine that is available in developing countries, large numbers of people are falling victim to AIDS. People living with HIV/AIDS will not only be unable to work, but will also require significant medical care. The forecast is that this will probably cause a collapse of babies and societies in countries with a significant AIDS population.  In some heavily infected areas, the epidemic has left behind many orphans cared for by elderly grandparents. This affects the elderly in that they got little energy left for them to take care of themselves and a burden of orphans is left on their shoulders The increased mortality will result in a smaller skilled population and labor force...

 WAYS TO LIVE LONG WHEN YOU HAVE HIV 1.Take your vitamins Take a general multivitamin to supplement the diet which helps boost immunity of HIV patient. 2.Make friends To fight loneliness, joining support groups for people with HIV or finding friends or family members you can depend on . 3.Have a little faith Some form of spirituality can help people better cope with their health problems and also help you build their social circle & feel generally more positive. 4.Exercise Exercise helps control your weight, fight and let's you look fantastic and can also help boost your T.cells. 5.Build your own dream team Consider talking to a nutritionist to find out which foods that are right for your needs as well as seeing a qualified counselor to determine a plan to strengthen you. 6.Beat back the blues Even when things don't seem like they're going your way ,looking at things with a positive attitude may be enough to help you get through a tough situation and ev...

IMPACT OF HIV/AIDS ON ECONOMIC GROWTH The impact of HIV/AIDS on economic growth is highly complex but it originates in its impact on the labour force ,interms of both growth and productivity. Increase in the number of infected people will reduce productivity.If sick people ,who are infected are unable to obtain good healthcare ,the burden of disease in countries will increase and impair productivity. The increased demand for healthcare services both preventive such as blood screening and treatment ,may crowd out other government investments un health and other goverent sectors .The saving rate in the economy may fall both relatively and absolutely.Hiv infected people will face lower incomes and rising health expenditures, increasing consumption expenditures hence rediction in savings. As the epidemic spreads ,if people adopt fatalistic attitudes and perceive shorter lifespans then they may also choose to save less for the future. This hinders sources of investment due to less savings...

HIV PREVENTION -This may refer to practices done to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. -The prevention practices may be done by individual to protect their own health and the health of those in their community.                    Prevention strategies Pharmaceutical -Some commonly considered pharmaceutical interventions for the prevention of HIV/AIDS might include the use of:-            ~Microbicides for Sexually transmitted diseases            ~Pre-exposure prophylaxis            ~Post exposure prophylaxis            ~Circumcision            ~Anti-retroviral drugs            ~Condoms            ~Low dead space syringe -Of these the only universally medically proven method for preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS during se...

HIV LIFE CYCLE An HIV particle approaches attaches to a lymphocyte (Lymphocytes which include helper T cells and killer T cells, are small white blood cells that are critical in immune defense and are HIV principal target). In order replicate itself, an HIV particle must get Its RNA, which is the blueprint for a new particle, inside the host cell. To do that, the viral particle must first bind to two chief receptors on the outside of the host cell, much like a key fitting into a lock. If even one of these receptors, which are known as CD4 and CCR5 receptors, is missing, the viral core containing the RNA will not get into the cell. The binding process is facilitated by a molecule on the surface of the HIV particle called GP 120. Once the viral particle has successfully bind end to the host cell, its core can pass through the cell wall into the cells cytoplasm. The core then dissolves, leaving the RNA and catalyzing enzymes ready to begin the process of replication. Viral RNA transforms...

HIV AND AIDS OVERVIEW SUMMARY   Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that destroys CD4 T cells and is the aetiological agent of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV is divided into 2 types, both of which cause AIDS: HIV 1, responsible for the global epidemic; and HIV 2, less pathogenic and restricted mostly to West Africa. AIDS, which usually occurs after approximately 6 to 9 years of HIV infection, is a constellation of opportunistic and other infections. Difference between HIV and AIDS is that HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.   HIV is spread through contact with certain body fluids from a person with HIV. These body fluids include: Blood, Semen, Pre-seminal fluid, Vaginal fluids, Rectal fluids, Breast milk. The spread of HIV from person to person is called HIV transmission.   Diagnosis is made through a blood test that screens specifically for the virus. If HIV has been found, the test result is "positive." The blood is re-tested several tim...

HISTORY AND IMPACT OF HIV/AIDS IN SOUTH AFRICAS ECONOMY As we all know hiv/aids is a deadly disease which is currently not curable. Hiv came to be identified and defined as AIDS between 1983 and 1984. In 1983, AIDS was diagnosed for the first time in two patients in South Africa. The first recorded AIDS-related death occurred in the same year. The UN statistics say that more than three quarter of aids deaths occur in sub Saharan Africa and South Africa. South Africa has the fourth-highest adult HIV prevalence rate in the world. In 2016 the HIV prevalence rate for adults aged 15 to 49 was 27% in Swiziland,25% in Lesotho,25% in Botswana and 19% in South Africa. Also around 5.7 million South Africans were estimated as having hiv/aids including around 300 000 children under the age 15 years. The most persons at a higher risk of being infected by hiv are women in that in every young man infected three young women are infected. The danger that is in South Africa is that most people do no...

HUMAN IMMUNODEFIENCIENCY VIRUS TYPE 1(HIV-1) HIV-1is associated with a spectrum of neurological disorders .At the time of primary HIV-1 infection ,an acute aseptic meningitis or encephalitis indicates central nervous system invasion .Evidence of HIV-1  infection is found in the CSF of most asymptomatic seropositive individuals ,suggesting viral persistence in the nervous system .After a long incubation period ,viral activation is signaled by expression of HIV-1 antigen in the CSF ,which correlates with a profound dementia in adults or with  an an anagalous progressive  encephalopathy in children .The neuropathological substrate of this dementing process consists of multinucleated giant cells and diffuse white matter pallor. immunocytochemical and in situ hybridization studies  demonstrate that antigen presenting cells ,including blood derived macrophages and resident brain microglia ,are directly infected by HIV-1 and participate in the formation of the syncytial gi...

East and Southern Africa has been listed among the most affected in terms of AIDS related illnesses in the past years. This has made the affected areas lag behind in terms of development as most people are get affected hence losing potential people who have knowledge for innovations and required labor skills. Despite East and Southern Africa been listed as the most affected they are various barriers that affect the end of HIV/AIDS in these parts. These include: STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION. It is a major barrier that greatly affects the ability to solve HIV in East and Southern Africa. Peoples cultural beliefs about HIV in terms of religion, its contamination and sexuality. The views from general people about HIV positive persons have greatly contributed to the rise in stigmatization hence the infected victims do not get courage to visit VCT centers since they fear knowing their status. STRUCTURAL AND RESOURCE BARRIERS. This is as a result of increased “brain drain” of medical offi...

The burden of HIV/AIDS has profound implications for four sectors of African society; development, health state and academia. These impacts confronting many African states and society pose challenges to their management of their epidemics now and into the future. According to the guidelines of World Health Organization in 2009, 1.3 million Africans lost their lives as a result of AIDS and 14.8 million children in Africa lost one or both parents to become AIDS orphans. Beyond this devastating count HIV/AIDS burden has compromised the achievement of key millennium development goals in Africa. The IMF also agrees that it has a negative impact on total gross domestic product and most of these affected countries require the most climatic increase in healthcare spending to meet their treatment goals. On the development side there is a negative impact especially in high prevalence countries. High related sickness and premature adult death compromise household stability and investment in chi...

HIV AND AIDS HIV is the human immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS.AIDS is the inability of the body to resist the of the virus.HIV infects human cells and uses the energy and nutrients provided by these cells to grow and multiplies very fast in the body.This causes the immune system in the body to weaken,this making the body weaker to any attack of other diseases. A person can be infected with the virus through conduct of the body fluids of an infected person i.e blood,semen,varginal secretions and breast milk.It can only be transmitted if an HIV infected fluids enters the bloodstream of aninfected person i.e through sex where the semen comes in conduct with the virginal fluids that means any of the participant infected can transmit to the other person.Through coming into conduct with conderminated object with the virus ,when it comes in conduct with blood of uninfected person it exposes latter to the risk of infection.Transfusion of infected blood to an infected person. Mother t...

The person-to-person spread of HIV is called HIV transmission. HIV is transmitted (spread) only in certain body fluids from a person who has HIV: Blood Semen Pre-seminal fluids Rectal fluids Vaginal fluids Breast milk HIV transmission is only possible if these fluids come in contact with a mucous membrane or damaged tissue or are directly injected into the bloodstream (from a needle or syringe). Mucous membranes are found inside the rectum, the vagina, the opening of the penis, and the mouth.  In the United States, HIV is spread mainly by: Having anal or vaginal sex with someone who has HIV without using a condom or taking medicines to prevent or treat HIV Sharing injection drug equipment ("works"), such as needles, with someone who has HIV HIV can also spread from a woman with HIV to her child during pregnancy, childbirth (also called labor and delivery), or breastfeeding. This spread of HIV is called mother-to-child transmission of HIV. In the past, some peop...

ILLETARCY In most third world countries a large percentage of people know the disease exists but lack knowledge of the aspects (ways of transmission or preventive measures). Thus they continue engaging in unsafev practices that spread the virus. POVERTY In most developing countries a high population are poor thus need for survival which means doing anything  to earn a living including engaging in sexual activities which is a high risk factor for the disease. IGNORANCE Most people are fully aware of the disease but still involve in practices that fuel its transmission. This ignorance is adversely driving the HIV epidemic in the whole world DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE This is quite common among youth in developing regions. According  to studies ,new consistent HIV infections resulting fromsharing of injectors among drug users. In some other cases, alcohol users are not able to make wise decisions when getting involved in sexual activities. TRIBAL CONFLICTS AND CIVIL WARS Thi...

CONTRIBUTION OF ICT IN PREVENTING, TREATMENT AND CARE OF HIV/AIDS. 1.Internet- based portals.  There are comprehensive websites which can include document databases, search engines, chat rooms, lists, links to resources and many more features. Internet portals such as www.aidsmap.com or www.hivinsite.uscf.edu serve as one- stop source for HIV/AIDS information. They provide upto date information quickly and reach a wide audience.  2.Telemedicine. It refers to the facilitation of health care via telephone or digital communication tools. Through telemedicine, urban health centers are able to provide access to quality, state- of- the- art medical care and education to health care providers in rural and underserved areas on HIV/AIDS. 3.Computer-Based Training (CBT).  CBT operates as a stand- alone or instructor- facilitated computer learning activity. It provides access to learning materials, interactive tutorials on HIV/AIDS which makes individuals have informed k...

Many including Kaposi sarcoma,thrush and herpes are caused by germs that take advantage of a weakened immune system. That's why they are called" oportunistic" infections.Others like photodermatitis,may be linked to inflammation caused by an overactive immune system as it revives during antiretroviral medicine therapy or due to the medicines themselves. Here are some of the more common skin conditions related to HIV/AIDS: 1.Molluscum contagiosum This is a highly contagious viral skin infection that may be passed from person to person through skin-to-skin contact,sharing linens,or by simply touching  the same objects.Molluscum contagiosum  causes pink  fresh-colored bumps on the skin .In peoplewith HIV/AIDS,an outbreak of more than 100 bumps can happen. Although the bumps are generally harmless,they won't go away without treatment if you have AIDS.Your healthcare provider may choose to freeze off  the bumps with liquid nitrogen (cyrosurgery)or destroy them with ...

 Difference between HIV and AIDS Hiv is the virus that causes AIDS . AIDS stands for acquired immune deficiency syndrome.Hiv and  AIDS are not the same thing and pepole with  HIV do not always have Aids . Hiv is the virus that pass from person to person. Over time, hiv destroys an important kind of the  cell in immune system(cold CD4 cells )that  help to protect the body from infections. When the body doesn't have the enough CD4 cells, your body can't fight infections, the way it normally does. Aids is the disease caused by the damage that HIV does to the  immune system. Someone has aids when he or she gets dangerous  infections or have super low CD4 cells , below 200.AIDS is the most serious  stage of HIV, and it leads to death overtime. Without treatment it usually takes about 10 years for someone with HIV to develop  AIDS .Treatment slows down the damage  the virus causes and can help people stay  healthy fo...

Comparison of depression, anxiety, stress, and related factors among women and men with human immunodeficiency virus infection HIV infection is related with psychiatric disorders. According to the results, women are more vulnerable to depression and anxiety and they need more care. Management of these psychiatric disorders is very important and requires innovative comprehensive approaches. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a global epidemic that has been reported from all countries. Worldwide, the rate of infected adults is approximately thirty-seven million, 50% of which are women. It is estimated that two million and five hundred thousand children under the age of 15 are living with HIV or AIDS. Although compared with many other countries, this infection arrived late in Iran, it now has an expanding growth rate throughout the population and an estimated 24,050 patients suffered from HIV infection, of which 92% are men and...

HIV/AIDS have never been cured since it was discovered even the best drugs currently available cannot need out HIV from its hiding places within the body according to a new study .the discovery seems to confirm doctor’s suspicious that once the virus going a foothold ,it can never be fully eradicated from the body. After years of aggressive drug treatment , the virus still hides out in significant reserves particularly in tissue surrounding the gut lining [the researchers report].Cells in these tissues are part of immune system called ‘gut associated lymphoid tissue’; remain infected with the virus even though the patient may be leading an apparently healthy life. The other thing is that HIV is so hard to cure lies in a quick of the type of cell it infects our immune system is designed to store information about infection we have had in the past this property is called immunologic memory that’s is why you are unlikely to be infected  with the chicken box a second time or catch a ...

-HIV prevention all start by one knowing his or her own status. If one is HIV positive  one can get medical care, treatment and supportive services  to help one stay healthy  and reduce one's ability to transmit the virus to others. -Prevention methods for HIV can be broadly classified as behavioural and biological methods. Behavioural prevention methods of HIV include; 1.Abtaining from sex or by being in a long term mutually monogamous relationships with an uninfected person. -Male circumcision  has also been shown to reduce the risk of HIV transmission from women to men during vaginal sex. 3.Correct and consistent condom  usage. -There has been immense research going on over the year on biological options like vaccine, microbicide, male circumcision, pre and post exposure prophylaxis. -Use of pre-exposure prophylaxis, it is a pill taken once a day that can help prevent HIV infection. It is taken before being exposed  to the risk. -Use of post-expos...

Testing and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases(STDs) can be an effective tool in preventing spread vof HIV,the virus that causes AIDS. What is the link between STDs and HIV infection? There is substantial biological evidence demonstrating that presence of other STDs increases the likelyhood of both transmitting and acquiring HIV.  ★Increasedsusceptibility.STDs appear to increase susceptibility to HIV infection in two mechanisms. Genital ulcers (e.g.,syphilis,herpes,or chancroid)result in breaks in the genital tract lining or skin.These breaks creates a portalbof entry for HIV. Additionally,inflammation resulting from non-ulcerative STDs(e.g.,chlamydia and gonorrhea) increase the concentration of cells in genital secretions that can serve as targets for HIV.(e.g.,CD4 cells).   ★Increased infectiousness.Studies have shown that HIV-infected individuals who are infected with other STDs are particularly likely to shed HIV in their genital secretions.For example, men who...

MOTHER-TO CHIID TRANSMISSION  OF HIV.                                                      The transmission  of HIV from a HIV positive  mother to her child during pregnancy, labour, delivery or breast feeding is called mother-to -child transmission. In the absence of any intervention, transmission rates range from 15%to 45%.This rate can be reduced to below 5% with effective interventions during the periods of pregnancy, labour, delivery and breast feeding. These interventions primarily involve  antiretroviral treatment for the mother and a short course of antiretroviral drugs for the baby. They also include measures to prevent HIV acquisition  breast feeding practices. The new sustainable Development  Goals place heightened emphasis on prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) in the context of better health for...

The impact of HIV/Aids on government finance and public services. HIV/Aids is a serious challenge to economic development. Increasing mortality reduce living standard directly and have repercussions that affects all areas of the economy. Companies face productivity losses an increasing cost of medical. Economic growth declines as the population grows more slowly and as reduced national saving rising costs and declining economic prospects deter investment. Employees and personal costs The HIV/Aids epidemic affects all levels and functions of government as increasing number of government employees fall ill and die. Because government employees enjoy some form of retirement, death-related and medical benefits the government personnel costs has increased. Prevention care and treatment The government activities in fighting the epidemic through the prevention of new infections, antiretroviral treatment, other forms of care. The HIV expenditure is financed through external grants and co...

WINNING THE WAR AGAINST HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDs has caused approximately 35million deaths around the world of which this number is expected to rise. This has resulted to the public losing hope on the health organizations, the health sectors and researchers for failing to come up with a solution on how to cure this deadly virus. Thanks to advancements in science over the decades, researchers have dramatically changed the way the disease is treated. In 1988 there were very few treatments available and at that time the medication was even worse than the disease. Researchers making an impact. Brian Johns is one of the thousands of HIV/AIDs scientists who has made it his life’s mission to eradicate HIV. He has led to advancing the treatments and this has made patients to no longer    take 16 pills every three to four hours. Today, thanks to Brian his work and that of his team of 25 biopharmaceutical researchers, HIV treatment in many cases involves only a once daily medication dose ...

Despite the world wide decrease in HIV related deaths over the past years, death among adolescents aged 10 to 19 living with HIV has risen considerably. Young women and adolescent girls are disproportionately vulnerable and at high risk. There are almost 380 000 [340 000–440 000] new HIV infections among adolescent girls and young women (10–24 years old) around the world every year. Especially young women 15 to 24 years of age have a 50% higher chance to get infected with HIV compared to men the same age. In South Africa, women acquire HIV infection at least 5 to7 years earlier than men. The high prevalence of adolescents HIV status especially among adolescent girls and young women point to the fact that the needs in this group has not been adequately addressed! Adolescents living with HIV face considerable challenges and have unique needs and vulnerabilities, as compared with young children and adults. One of the major challenge young people face is the limited sexuality education ...

For example: If an uninfected person gets into contact with an infected persons blood though the uninfected person lacks any wound within the body or just the skin, it is always said that the uninfected person is less likely to transmit the HIV virus. But what if within seconds or just minutes after washing away or just generally cleansing oneself the uninfected person gets into contact with a sharp object and creates a wound on the skin. Is it likely that the person would transmit the HIV virus especially if the uninfected person used a disinfectant like soap to cleanse himself or herself?  Well the answer is no. The disinfectant which is the soap kills germs and that includes the virus itself which was on the skin of the uninfected person. But problem comes in when only the uninfected person cleansed herself or himself with water alone. HIV is not a living thing but it survives both in fluids iand air. Whether the air is dry or not, HIV can still survive in it. So when the uni...

MPACT OF HIV/AIDS ON ECONOMIC GROWTH The impact of HIV/AIDS on economic growth is highly complex but it originates in its impact on the labour force ,interms of both growth and productivity. Increase in the number of infected people will reduce productivity.If sick people ,who are infected are unable to obtain good healthcare ,the burden of disease in countries will increase and impair productivity. The increased demand for healthcare services both preventive such as blood screening and treatment ,may crowd out other government investments un health and other goverent sectors .The saving rate in the economy may fall both relatively and absolutely.Hiv infected people will face lower incomes and rising health expenditures, increasing consumption expenditures hence rediction in savings. As the epidemic spreads ,if people adopt fatalistic attitudes and perceive shorter lifespans then they may also choose to save less for the future. This hinders sources of investment due to less savings....

Diagnostics,virus detection and screening           The high genetic variation of Hiv has important implications for the sensitivity and specificity pf ddiagnostic tests.The isolation of Hiv-1 in 1983 and the development of an antibody test soon thereafter were major breakthroughs. However ,the subsequent identification of Hiv 2 has been the characterization of the highly divergent Hiv 1 group N strains     .       Reports that infections with these strains were not well detected by commonly used,Hov screening tests in Europe and North America have raised concerns about test sensitivity gor blood transfusion safety as well as for individual diagnosis.Although earlier development and evaluation of different diagnostic tests were based primarily on subtype B strains from N.America and Europe more recent tests ,including rapid tests,are much more sensitive in detecting divergent strains like group O as well as group M subtypes other ...

LABORATORY EVALUATION /TEST FOR HIV INFECTION IN INFANTS AND TREATMENT HIV culture and Polymerase Chain Reaction(PCR) are the preferred laboratory test for diagnosing HIV infection in infants. Recommendations for testing infants for HIV includes: HIV culture or PCR should be performed three times: once at 4 days, once at 1 month of age and once at 4 months of age. If the result of any test is positive, testing should be repeated to confirm the diagnosis of HIV infection. The diagnosis to rule out HIV infection in infants is based on two or more negative viral diagnostic tests (HIV culture or PCR), both of which are performed at 1 month of age and one which is performed at 4 months of age. For clinical centres that do not have access to the viral diagnostic tests such as HIV culture and PCR, HIV infection can be ruled out based on two or more negative HIV antibody tests performed at 6 months of age.  Treatment includes: Antiretroviral Therapy(ART) -  Any child with a conf...

PRE-EXPOSUREPROPHYLAXIS AND POST-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS Pre-exposure prophylaxis is the HIV drugs you take before being exposed to it to prevent any transmission. Post-exposure prophylaxis is the drugs you take after being exposed to HIV to reduce the chances of infection. GROUPS MOST AFFECTED  BY HIV IN KENYA. Sex workers Sex workers have the highest reported HIV prevalence of any group in Kenya. The most recent data from 2011 estimates 29.3% 0f female sex workers living with HIV. Similarly, a 2015 study of female workers in Nairobi found that around one-third were living with HIV. It is found that Kenyan sex workers face heightened risk of violence with little or no protection from law enforcement officers, for example, whilst all respondent who had experienced  rape had accessed medical care, name had reported the incidents to the police for fear of being prosecuted for being engaging in sex work. Men who have sex with men [msm] HIV prevalence  among men who ha...

 IMPACT OF STRUCTURAL ADJUSTMENT PROGRAMS ON THE HIV EPIDEMIC. worsening developing country debtors status over the last two decades created economic conditions that permitted industrialized countries to Impose Structural Adjustment (SAP). The effects that may result from SAP have conspired to undermine the social fabric of many developing countries that place their citizens at increased risk for HIV. 1.Developing sustainability of the rural subsistence economy. Currency declaration, investment concessions and other efforts to promote exports under SAP disrupt rural subsistence economies. Small farmers find themselves facing stiff and sophisticated foreign competition as declines in local income shrink demand for their products. The need for large scale export agriculture causes migration. Migration patterns may be linked to the spread of HIV. As a result,reduced  labour in rural areas may contribute to declines in nutritional status  potentially increasing the ri...

DIFFERENT BETWEEN UTI AND STI Urinary tract infection, is an infection that happens along urinary tract or in the kidney. Bladder is a very nice and accommodating place for Bacteria to grow and stagnant urine helps them to multiply. Bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra and begin to multiply in the bladder, most infection in UTI is an infection in any part of your urinary system .UTI are never contagious to a partner,not everyone with UTI has symptoms but common symptoms include frequent urge to urinate and pain when urinating ,whole body fatigue. WHILE Sexually transmitted infection are transmitted through sexual fluids some can be passed through skin to skin genital contact, sometimes can be transmitted through unprotected or protected sex.STI are often contagious and serious and are transmitted to others during intercourse. Some STI such as gonorrhea and chlamydia infect your sexual and reproductive organs, hepatitis B and syphilis cause general body infection...

A HISTORICAL NOTE ON AIDS IN AFRICA The cultural politics about AIDSare now well understood in that their effect were to increase the velocity of the pandemic.Epidiemogists in government agencies designated entire population as "risk groups" obscuring differences among people assigned to different categories.It implied that anyone not included not included within the boundaries of stigma is not at a risk.Common in public health discourse, such constructions are part of the ' hegemonic process' that helps dominant groups to maintain, reinforce, reconstruct and obscure the workings of the established social order. The risk group paradigm fastered belief in AIDS as an urban disease, both iomedical and popular circles. High risk were limited to bounded groups " core transmitters' who included sex workers and their clients, the military, and long distance truckers who had multiple sex partners. A corollary was that traditional sexual morality and practices wou...

HIV/Aids has been a feared predicament since its discovery in New york in the U.S.A. The main reason as to why this disease is greatly feared by a majority is because it has no known cure and hence many presume that it is literary a 'death warrant'. There is still no known cure for HIV but scientific efforts to improve treatment and prevention tools to the infected are still on the pursuit, at least to give a temporal relief before the cure is eventually found. There is a very high cost to provide lifelong care to those infected with HIV and hence there is maximum increasing effort to find a permanent cure that controls the virus in the absence of anti retroviral treatment. The cure is still in the early stages of research and development  but it's a promising undertake. HIV cure is mainly categorized in two main calibers; a functional cure and a sterilizing cure. The functional cure, if achieved, will maintain low levels of HIV in the body by using a treatment strategy...