HIV PREVENTIVE MEASURES

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 sexual intercourse is the correct use of condoms,and condoms are also the only method promoted by health authorities worldwide.
     Social strategies
-These do not require any drug or object to be effective but rather a change in a person’s behaviour. For example:-
      ~Sex education
      ~LGBT sex education
      ~Safe injection sites
      ~Safe sex
      ~Sexual abstinence e.t.c
-Each of these strategies has widely differing levels of efficacy,social acceptance,and acceptance in the medical and scientific communities.
         Follow-up care
-Treatment facilities encourage those previously treated for HIV/AIDS return to ensure that the infection is being successfully managed.
     

  Advertising and campaigns
-Persuasive messages delivered through health advertising and social marketing campaigns which are designed to educate people about the danger of HIV/AIDS and simple prevention strategies are also an important way of preventing HIV/AIDS.
  Be faithful
-Do not sleep around with everyone. If you and your partner have both been tested, you are both HIV negative and you are faithful, you cannot get HIV from sexual contact.
   Avoid blood contact
-If you are helping a bleeding person, avoid getting any of their blood into any sores or cuts you may have on your skin. There should be gloves in all first-aid kits; use them.
Steve Elly Ogutu

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