HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus, and it is the virus that causes AIDS. What HIV does is it destroys certain blood cells that are crucial to the normal function of the immune system, which defends the body against illness.

AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome and this happens when the immune system is weakened by HIV to the point where a person develops any number of diseases or cancers.

 

 

How is HIV transmitted:

 

· By a person having unprotected sex without a condom with someone that has HIV

· By sharing a needle to inject drugs or sharing drug works with someone who has HIV

· By having a mother who was infected with HIV when you were born

· From blood transfusions

· Also by breastfeeding if mother is infected with HIV

How to prevent yourself from getting HIV:

-Abstain from having sex

-Use condoms correctly and consistently

-Use protection during oral sex

-Remain in a monogamous relationship

(Have one  sex partner)

 Treatment

 

 NOTE: There are no cures for HIV/AIDS. If these problems occur tell your doctor right away. There are medications that are available to aid in controlling certain symptoms.

   

 Myths

You cannot become infected with HIV through:

 -Giving blood to a blood bank

-Everyday contact with infected people at work, school, church, etc.

-Preparing or serving food or beverages

-Using toilets, shaking hands, sharing utensils, sharing telephones, clothing, etc.

-Sweat, tears, cough, urine, sneeze

-Kissing

-Mosquito bites

-Swimming Pool

-No one is an exception when it comes to HIV/AIDS

 

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For so long it was thought that Africa was leading in numbers when it came to the AIDS pandemic. Over the weekend, Washington Post has reported that Washington D.C. is leading over Africa.  Here is what they are reporting, “At least 3 percent of District residents have HIV or AIDS, a total that far surpasses the 1 percent threshold that constitutes a “generalized and severe” epidemic, according to a report scheduled to be released by health officials tomorrow. Our rates are higher than West Africa,” said Shannon L. Hader, director of the District’s HIV/AIDS Administration, who once led the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s work in Zimbabwe. “They’re on par with Uganda and some parts of Kenya.”

AIDS is a disease that is becoming more and more prevalent all over the world, not just in Africa and not just in Washington D.C., I believe it is imperative that people starting getting checked and being extra careful on what activities they carry on.

The things we talk about will have a special segment on AIDS/HIV and how it affects us all, directly or indirectly.

Stay tune…..

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Ok, I know what you’re thinking, why would I even want to know that. I have to admit I thought twice about posting this but I think that this is a very important topic to discuss. For those of you that aren’t aware this is a conversation that is equally important to have with your parents or grandparents for the reason being that there has been an increase in the number of people over 50 contracting HIV/AIDS. So now tell me how important you think this topic is. The things we talk about blog is about bringing awareness to things such as these. According to the WHO Bulletin it has been said that people in that age group tend to “risk having more unprotected sex than younger people.” One of the reasons why this may be so is because older folks are having more sex, yes I said it. The reason why they are having more sex is because they have a lot more impotence drugs out on the market for them to use.  These impotence drugs have allowed them to have more than one partner and we all know that this is how diseases spread. Older women are more susceptible to contracting this disease because of the thinning of their vaginal mucous membrane, so it is important to let Grandma know to be sure to use a condom if she plans on having multiple partners, which she shouldn’t have to begin with.  Regardless of who you are or where you are, either you practice abstinence, which will keep you safe from all harm or practice having safe sex because contracting a sexually transmitted disease at any age is very dangerous. So from The Thing We Talk About to you, please be careful out there!

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According to foxnews.com, a man from Chicago tried to a infect our now President with the HIV virus. Saad Hussein was arrested because he sent to the president and his envelopes that contained his infected HIV blood. Thank goodness that the letters never reached our president and thank goodness even more that this man that tried to pull this malicious act has been arrested. How can people be so cruel, that’s just not human. Feel free to comment.

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