HIV need no longer be something to be feared as with healthy living, support and care HIV/AIDS patients could continue with their lives. HIV is not the end for these people and we should change our perception that AIDS means death.
What are CD4 cells?
CD4 cells are a type of lymphocyte (white blood cell). They are an important part of the immune system. CD4 cells are sometimes called T-cells. There are two main types of T-cells. T-4 cells, also called CD4+, are “helper” cells. They lead the attack against infections. T-8 cells, (CD8+), are “suppressor” cells that end the immune response. CD8+ cells can also be “killer” cells that kill cancer cells and cells infected with a virus.
Why are CD4 cells important in HIV?
When HIV infects humans, the cells it infects most often are CD4 cells. The virus becomes part of the cells, and when they multiply to fight an infection, they also make more copies of HIV.
When someone is infected with HIV for a long time, the number of CD4 cells they have (their CD4 cell count) goes down. This is a sign that the immune system is being weakened. The lower the CD4 cell count, the more likely the person will get sick. Early in the course of the disease, the body can make more CD4 cells to replace the ones that have been damaged by HIV. Eventually, the body can’t keep up and the number of functioning T-cells decreases. As more and more CD4 cells become damaged, the immune system becomes more and more weakened.
There are millions of different families of CD4 cells. Each family is designed to fight a specific type of germ. When HIV reduces the number of CD4 cells, some of these families can be totally wiped out. You can lose the ability to fight off the particular germs those families were designed for. If this happens, you might develop an opportunistic infection.
Did you know:
• Every 12 seconds someone is newly infected with HIV
• 80% of all HIV transmission is sexual
• 60% of people living with HIV don’t know they’re infected.
• People aged 15-24 account for 40% of new HIV infections worldwide.
• There are 33million people living with HIV globally
• HIV is transmitted through blood, sexual fluids and mother to child
• HIV is not transmitted through tears, sweat, saliva or mosquitoes
If you’re having sex the only way to protect yourself from HIV is to use a condom each and every time. No other form of contraception protects against HIV and other STIs. Unprotected anal and vaginal sex can both transmit HIV if one partner is HIV+ Unprotected oral sex also carries a risk, but this risk is significantly lower.
HIV has been here for nearly 27 years, have attitudes changed.
No, so ask yourself why? Ignorance and fear, so changing attitudes and improving education at all ages and levels of our society may make that difference.
More awareness, better understanding and increased acceptance that HIV is here and not going away.
No matter who or where you are, your actions could make a real difference in stopping the spread of HIV and ending HIV prejudice.
About 50% of new HIV infections are caused by people who do not know they are infected. By detecting infection sooner, prevention experts hope that new infection rates will decrease dramatically because more people will be aware of their infection and in turn will take more safer sex precautions. Early detection also provides more more opportunity for education and counseling that decreases high risk sexual behavior. Finally, an added benefit of early diagnosis is early treatment; and early treatment means a better prognosis.
Independent Living does not mean that we want to do everything by ourselves and do not need anybody or that we want to live in isolation.
Independent Living means that we seek the same choices and control in our every-day lives that our neighbors and friends take for granted. We want to grow up in our families, go to the neighborhood school, use the same bus as our neighbors, work in jobs that are in line with our education and interests, and start families of our own with self-determination, equal opportunities and self-respect.
The key to living with HIV is staying healthy and making healthy life choices. Staying healthy is preventative; doing those things to keep you from getting sick. Taking your medicines each and everyday; and exercising and eating healthy are just a few examples of preventative measures you can take to stay healthy.
The initial shock, disbelief, and fear of an HIV diagnosis can make those first days almost unbearable. For some, the answer is to run; an attempt to escape the inevitability of their diagnosis. For others, the answer is in the bottom of a liquor bottle or is mixed in a syringe.
The extent of stigma and discrimination against Malaysians living with HIV in the society is alarming. According to a survey sponsored by Synovate (M) Sdn Bhd in 2008, “Three out of four Malaysians said they would feel ashamed if they were infected with HIV, while one out of two said they would feel ashamed if someone in their family had HIV and AIDS.
“Medication is important, but equally important is that one needs support from friends and family, and an environment free from stigma and discrimination.
http://vimeo.com/14604778 Executive Director of UNAIDS, Michelle Sidibe speaks about what inspires him in the fight against HIV, the new movement of young people leading in the fight against HIV and how MTV Staying Alive are playing their part in creating a space for these young people to thrive.
To what extent do you feel young people are leading in HIV prevention? And what do you think is the most effective way of getting HIV prevention messages out to young people in your country?