AIDS- Cracking the myth

BANGALORE: Jiddu Krishnamurti once said, “It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.” For centuries, war and famine has stalked the world. Human Beings have w
AIDS- Cracking the myth
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BANGALORE: Jiddu Krishnamurti once said, “It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.” For centuries, war and famine has stalked the world. Human Beings have witnessed construction and destruction, and yet we haven’t learnt our lesson. Mankind has time and again devised new techniques of isolation and grief. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome  — the disease that shattered millions of lives and livelihood throughout the world has redefined indiscrimination and brutality in the modern era.

Immortalising life and death, AIDS has now become the voice of melancholy times and a new culture. And, the sufferers have had to bear the brunt of our massive hatred. Penetrating deftly through the vast kingdom of words, waiting in despair, their lifetime is a chalice of melody and isolation. Where words have taken refuge in mind and heart,  it is time we acknowledge the power of silence. Maybe we ought to accept the truth and tell our children that they are one of us. After all just like us, they are nothing but a disembodied voice wandering around in the midst of oblivion, searching for remnants of past present and future, trying to fit in, trying to keep up, trying to belong.

The World Aids Day provides us with a unique opportunity to increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve existing conditions. The theme for 2010 is Universal Access and Human Rights. The vast majority of people infected with HIV and AIDS belong to the developing world. It is a threat to men, women and children in all continents around the world today. No other disease propagates as much revulsion and total helplessness as AIDS. With 40 million deaths forecast in this millennium, the disease has been described as humankind’s deadliest curse.

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a disease of the immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This condition progressively reduces the efficiency of the immune system and leaves individuals susceptible to opportunistic infections and tumours. There are myriad myths assosiated with AIDS and it is extremely important for each and every one to be responsible and educate themselves. In conversation with Expresso, Dr Rajeev Moger, MD (Medicine) Consultant Physician, Apollo Hospital further explains:

Myth: HIV Spreads Like Wildfire

Fact: It does not spread through air or water or touch. HIV is transmitted through direct contact of a mucous membrane or the bloodstream with a bodily fluid containing HIV, such as blood, semen, vaginal fluid, pre-seminal fluid, and breast milk. This transmission can involve anal, vaginal or oral sex, blood transfusion, contaminated hypodermic needles, exchange between mother and baby during pregnancy, childbirth, breast-feeding or other exposure to one of the above bodily fluids.

Myth: Only homosexuals are at a risk of getting HIV

Fact: As mentioned earlier, those are the only ways through which a person could get infected with AIDS. Heterosexuals are equally at risk here. In this case, unsafe sex is a major contributor. Anyone indulging in irresponsible sex (without protection) is at a potential risk of contracting the disease.

Myth: Most people who get infected with HIV become seriously ill within a short span of time

Fact: After a person is infected with HIV, there is usually no change in that person’s health for quite a few years. There are three phases involved in the spreading of infection — Acute HIV syndrome, Clinical latency and finally AIDS, which implies complete destruction of the immune system.

Myth: It is possible to get HIV from mosquito bites or kissing

Fact: No, this is an absurd possibility. HIV can only survive in the living body of a human being. The contamination is only possible when one of the four bodily fluids of the infected person, namely, vaginal fluid, sperm, breast milk, or blood, comes in contact with the blood system of another person. HIV is found in saliva, but in quantities too small to infect, nor can mosquitoes carry contaminated blood with live immunodeficiency virus.

Myth: Oral Sex fails to transmit HIV

Fact: HIV is transmitted through all forms of unprotected sex. Receiving oral sex (exposure only to saliva) is very low risk for HIV. But giving oral sex (exposure to pre-cum, semen, vaginal secretions and menstrual blood) is risky. The more of the infected body fluids that a person gets into his mouth, the greater the risk.

Myth: Abstinence from sex, is all it takes to stop the spread of AIDS

Fact: Extremity isn’t the solution. An intelligent approach to awareness would be sex education, understanding the importance of safe sex and following precautionary measures when handling needless.

We are all one. For we are all descendants of star dust reverberating through the heart and mind of the universe. How then can we be different? Let us unite, face the perils of life and put an end to indiscrimination. It is about time we understand the true meaning of the phrase — There is great liberty in acceptance.

akshatha@expressbuzz.com

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