HIV Prevention and HIV / AIDS Prognosis

HIV Prevention

Despite significant efforts, there is no effective vaccine againts HIV. The only way to prevent infection by the virus is to avoid behaviors that put you at risk, such as sharing needles or having unprotected sex. In this context, unprotected sex means sex without a barrier such as CONDOM. because condom breaks, even they are not perfect protection. Many people infected with HIV don't have any symptoms. There is no way to know with certainty wether a sexual partner is infected. here are some prevention strategies.

• Abstain from sex. This obviously has limited appeal, but it absolutely protects againts HIV transmission by this route.
• Have sex with a single partner who is uninfected. mutaul monogamy between uninfected partners eliminates the risk of sexual tranamission of HIV.
• Use a condom in other situations. Condom offer some protection if used properly and consistently. Occasionally, they may break or leak. Only condoms made of latex should be used. Only water-based lubricants should be used with latex condomss.
• Do not share needles or inject illicit drugs.
• If you working in a health-care field, follow recommended guidlines for protecting yourself againts needle sticks and exposure to contaminated fluids.
• If you have engaged in risky behaviors, get tested to see if you have HIV
• The risk of HIV transmission from a pregnant woman to her baby is significantly reduced if the mother takes medications during pregnancy, labor, and delivery and her baby takes medications for the first six weeks of life. Even shorter courses of treatment are effective, though not as optimal. The key is get tested for HIV as early as possible in pregnancy. In consultation with their physician, many women op to avoid breastfeeding to minimize the risk of transmission after the bay is born.

HIV / AIDS Prognosis

There are no cure for HIV infection. Before we had any treatment for the virus , people with AIDS lived only for a couple of years. Fortunately, medications have sunstantially improved the outlook and survival rates. Prevention efforts have sharply reduced HIV infection in young children and have the potential to sharply limit new infections in other populations.

• Medications have extended the average life expectancy, and many people with HIV can expect to live for decades with proper treatment. An increasing number have a normal life expectancy if they adhere carefully to medication regimens.
• Medications help the immune system recover and fight infections and prevent cancers from occuring. Eventuall, the virus may become resistant to the available drugs, and the manifestation of AIDS may develop.
• Drugs used to treat HIV and AIDS do not eliminate the infection. It is important for the person to remember that he or she contagious even when recieving effective treatment.
• Intensive research efforts are being focused on developing new and better treatments. Although currently is no promising vaccine, work continues on this front.