According to abbreviationfinder, the AIDS is the acronym for the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Transmissible through body fluids, blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk. Since its discovery, the world has seen it as a disease that was initially described only in developed countries, in homosexual men and injecting drug users. Become a pandemic affecting millions of men, women and children in all nations of the world. World AIDS Day is celebrated on December 1.
Prevention
The sole cause of transmission is the exchange of bodily fluids, particularly blood and genital secretions. The HIV virus cannot be transmitted by breathing, saliva, casual contact by touch, shaking hands, hugging, kissing on the cheek, mutually masturbating with another person, or sharing utensils such as glasses, cups, or spoons.
On the other hand, it is theoretically possible that the virus is transmitted between people through mouth-to-mouth kissing, if both people have bleeding sores or sore gums, but that case has not been documented and it is also considered very unlikely, since saliva contains concentrations much lower than for example semen, and also because saliva has antiviral properties that cause it to destroy HIV.
Sexually transmitted infections are those that are transmitted from one infected person to another, mainly, but not exclusively, through unprotected sex. One of the ways to prevent them is the adoption of a prevention alternative according to each moment.
Practice protected sex: It refers to the use of a condom, male or female, during penetration of the penis – vagina or penis – anus; as well as the use of a latex square, during oral sex, mouth – vagina or mouth – anus.
Practice safe sex: It refers to those practices that do not involve the exchange of bodily fluids such as: massages, caresses, kisses, hugs, mutual masturbation or autoeroticism.
Abstinence: Abstaining from sex is a personal decision which must be respected. This alternative should be recommended in promoter training activities and in prevention activities whenever you are in front of a person with a diagnosis of an STI, if you are not sure of practicing safe sex or do not have a condom available, or other situations that increase the risk of infection.
There are some measures to take into account to maintain sexual health:
- Get tested for HIV annually regardless of your sexual orientation.
- If you want to get pregnant or are getting pregnant, get tested for HIV.
- Talk openly with your partner and your children about HIV and other STIs.
- Use latex condoms and lubricant every time you have sex, otherwise introduce any other prevention alternative.
- If you have come into contact with a person who you suspect is infected with an STI, visit your doctor as soon as possible or contact a counseling service.
- Don’t inject illegal drugs. If you do: use only clean needles, syringes, and other items. Never share needles, syringes, or other items used to inject yourself. Be careful not to expose yourself to someone else’s blood. Get tested for HIV at least once a year. Consider getting counseling and treatment to stop using drugs.
Penetration
HIV infection through sexual intercourse has been found to be male to female, female to male, female to female, and male to male. The use of latex condoms is recommended for all types of sexual activity that includes penetration.
Condoms have an estimated rate of 90-95% of effectiveness in preventing pregnancy or the spread of diseases, and used correctly, that is, well preserved, carefully opened and correctly placed, it is the best means of protection against the transmission of the HIV
Anal sex, due to the delicacy of the tissues of the anus and the ease with which they are sore, is considered the most risky sexual activity. That is why condoms are also recommended for anal sex.
Oral sex
In terms of HIV transmission, oral sex is considered less risky than vaginal or anal sex. However, the relative lack of definitive research on the subject, coupled with questionable public information and cultural influences, have led many to incorrectly believe that oral sex is safe. Although the actual oral transmission factor for HIV is not yet precisely known, there are documented cases of transmission through insertion and reception (in men) oral sex.
Most HIV + people had other types of sexual activity before infection, making it difficult or impossible to isolate oral transmission as a factor. Factors such as mouth ulcers, etc., are also difficult to isolate in transmission between “healthy” people. It is usually recommended not to allow semen or pre-seminal fluid to enter the mouth. Using condoms for oral sex (or dental dam for cunnilingus) further reduces potential risk.
Parenteral route
HIV is known to be transmitted when needles are shared among injection drug users, and this is one of the most common ways of transmission. All AIDS prevention organizations advise drug users not to share needles, and to use a new or properly sterilized needle for each injection
Medical workers can prevent the spread of HIV from patients to workers and from patient to patient by following universal standards of asepsis or isolation against bodily substances, such as wearing latex gloves when giving injections or handling body fluids or wastes. and washing your hands frequently.
Circumcision
A 2005 study reported that being circumcised could significantly reduce the likelihood of a man becoming infected from an HIV-positive woman through vaginal penetration. Rumors to this effect, produced from earlier inconclusive work, have already increased the popularity of circumcision in parts of Africa.
Saliva
After blood, saliva was the second fluid in the body where HIV was isolated. The origin of salivary HIV is infected gum lymphocytes (gingiva). These cells migrate into saliva at a rate of one million per minute. This migration can increase up to 10 times (ten million cells per minute) in diseases of the oral mucosa, which are common in an immunocompromised host (such as an individual with HIV infection).
Monogamy
In sub-Saharan Africa and other underdeveloped countries, promoting monogamy and delaying sexual activity among young people has proven effective in the fight against AIDS.
The Red Ribbon
The red ribbon was created by the Visual AIDS group in New York in 1991. Today, it is the symbol
HIV / AIDS Awareness International. More and more people around the world are wearing it to show their solidarity and support for those affected by HIV, the sick, those who have died and those who care about someone suffering from the disease.
A global scourge like AIDS, of course, requires joint humanitarian action against it. This solidarity, in fact already existing and developed by multiple organizations, had to be complemented with something that would serve as an international symbol; thus came the red ribbon, an emblem of support and hope for those who have been struck by this disease.
From the moment the Tony Awards were presented in 1991, especially by actor Jereny Irons, the red bow became hugely popular. Currently there is no famous personality that boasts of such, that does not wear the bow on the lapel of the jacket or somewhere in the dress.
It is an especially representative symbol for the new generations. With it, an attempt is made to make society aware of the need to invest more efforts and money in research aimed at its cure, as well as, of course, express solidarity with the sick, frequently rejected by the ignorance and prejudice of a large part of society.
If you are asked to wear a red bow, it is because it is a symbol of hope, that the search for a vaccine and cure will be successful and that the quality of life improves for those living with the virus. Anyone can wear a red bow and can do it any day of the year. Wearing a red bow can be the first step in showing that you care and care about the fate of others and your family.
Red color
The color red was chosen for its “relationship to blood and passion, not just anger, but love, like a Valentine,” as Frank Moore of Visual AIDS put it.
The red ribbon means
• Solidarity
• Acceptance
• Commitment
• Knowledge
• Action
• Support
Designer
The painter and set designer Frank C. Moore was a leading figure in contemporary American art, his name rose to fame in 1991 when he designed the red ribbon symbolizing solidarity with people with AIDS. He died at age 48 from complications from HIV.
Curiosity
The Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) collects the word “AIDS” in the twenty-second edition of its dictionary, so it can be used in lowercase and uppercase. The use of lowercase letters is recommended by the Pan American Health Organization, the health agency of the United Nations Organization for the Americas.
