THE BACKGROUND OF HIV

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 from a HIV infected person.
Sexual intercourse
This is the main method of transmission in adults. Teenagers are at risk of infection through sexual intercourse with an HIV infected individual. Young children who may be sexually abuse by an HIV infected person are at a risk of infection. Other STDs (especially genital ulcers) increase risk of transmission of HIV.
Contaminated needs and circumcision instruments
HIV infection sometimes may be spread through poor sterilization standards. It is a needle or circumcision instrument is used on an HIV infected individual and used again within hours without proper sterilization on another individual, the second individual may be exposed to the HIV infected blood and become infected. This may occur during traditional circumcision, traditional scarification or illicit injection use
Neema Nekoo

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