THE ROLE OF STDs PREVENTION AND TREATMENT in HIV PREVETION

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 are infected with both gonorrhea and HIV are more than twice likely to have HIV in their genital secretions than those who are infected only with HIV.The higher the concentration of HIV in semen or genital fluids,the more likely it is that HIV wil be transmitted to a sex partner.

How can STD treatment slow the spread of HIV infection?Evidence from intervention studies indicates that detecting and treating STDs may reduce HIV transmission.
  ★STD treatment reduces an individual's ability to transmit HIV.Treatment of STDs in HIV-infected infividuals decreases both the amount of HIV in genitak secretions and how frequently HIV is found in those secretions.
★Herpes can make  people more susceptible to HIV infection,and it can make HIV-infected individuals more infectious. It is critical that all individuals,especially those with herpes,know there HIV status and if uninfected with HIV,take measures to protect themselves from infection with HIV.
 ★Among individuals with herpes and HIV,trials are underway studying if treatment of the genital herpes helps prevent HIV transmission to partners.

The following are implications for HIV prevention in relation to STDs prevention and treatmen:
  ★Early detection of curable STDs should become a major,explicit component of comprehensive HIV prevention programs at national,state,and local levels;
  ★In arears where STDs that facilitate HIV transmission are prevalent, screening and treatment programs should be expanded;
   ★HIV testing should always be recommended for individuals who are diagnosed with or are suspected to have STD.
   ★HIV and STD prevention programs in the country,together with private and public sector partners, should take joint responsibility for implement these strategies.
              REFERENCES:                     
★Centers for disease control and prevention. 1998.HIV prevention throug early detection and treatment of other sexually transmitted diseases-united states. MMWR 47(RR-12):1-24
  ★Wasserhelt JN. 1992.Epidemiologic synergy:Interrelationships between human immunodeficiency virus infection and other sexually transmitted diseases. Sexually transmmitted diseases 9:61-77
Samuel Gchobi

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