HIV/AIDS infection

HIV/AIDS infection

HIV/AIDS (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) weakens the body’s immunity system. Over time, individuals living with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), loses the ability to contain the germs that surround us daily. Usually, the germs do not make an individual sic; however, as the immune system becomes weak from AIDS, these germs cause an infection that affects health. Individuals are living with HIV/AIDS experience a wide range of health, financial, social, and environmental barriers that impacts their psychological and psychosocial welfare.

HIV/AIDS infection is not a death sentence; rather, it is a fair consequence for the kind of life lived. People living with HIV are not necessarily sick and may continue to work for a long time after infection. There is a distinction between individuals who have AIDs and those with HIV infection. HIV is a virus, while AIDs is a condition that is caused by HIV. HIV does not progress, and individuals living with HIV may survive for a long time. Using Anti retrovirus (ARVs) drugs allow people to continue leading a full and productive life.

I do not have different feelings for persons who have contracted virus through any means. People can contract HIV/AIDs through various avenues. The virus is spread from one person to the other through the interchange of body fluids. Since HIV is a virus, it can be transferred from one person to the next, just like other viruses. In most cases, HIV is transmitted by engaging in sexual intercourse with an infected individual without using protection. It can also be transferred through sharing needles, and in some cases, it is transmitted from the mother to the child during childbirth.

My attitudes towards HIV infected parents are positive. Although HIV/AIDS has received extensive attention both at public and in terms of policy attention, some people still harbor negative attitudes towards parents living with HIV/AIDS. Nonetheless, living with the HIV virus is not a crime, and instead of harboring negative attitudes towards parents who are HIV positive, they should be supported and encouraged that all is not lost. Moreover, drugs have been developed to fight the HIV virus; hence today, it is possible to lead a normal life even when one is infected with the HIV virus.

My attitude towards HIV infected children is also positive. Children acquire the HIV virus from their parents during childbirth. Therefore, they need help and guidance on the importance of adhering to medications. Moreover, they should be provided with a safe and nurturing environment that promotes healing.

Substance abusing parents are a major risk factor to their children; they heighten the possibility of children abusing drugs, and may expose their kids to various traumatic events. Exposure to drugs at a prenatal level is a form of trauma in itself and has a long-lasting effect on the child. Parents who abuse drugs often have poor parental skills, while disadvantaged settings and hostile childhood experiences lead to dysfunctional effects that include impaired personality.

HIV infected pregnant women can pass the virus to the baby in various ways. A baby can contract the virus during delivery, labor, and breastfeeding. Nonetheless, a mother can take precautions to prevent passing the virus to the child. The first is by taking medication. Treatment reduces the chances of passing the virus to the unborn child. Secondly, the baby should be protected during childbirth by taking steps to minimize ways that a child can be infected.

The gay, lesbians and bisexual individuals are among one the most disenfranchised individuals in society. Nonetheless, they are members of society and must be respected. In the United States, gay, lesbians, and bisexual are among the most affected groups by HIV. Due to the high number of gay, lesbians, and bisexual living with HIV, there is a high risk of getting exposed to HIV among the group. Having anal sex without condoms or failure to take HIV medications as well as stigma exacerbates the situation. However, gays, lesbians, and bisexuals should take steps to reduce the risk of getting HIV/AIDs. This can be through having one sex partner or using condoms.

Individuals who choose to engage in safer sex practices minimize the risk of acquiring sexually transmitted diseases or AIDS. Additionally, preventing the spread of HIV/AIDs is essential in the sense that it protects those who already have the virus and their partners. Hence people should decline from engaging in sex without a condom and have few sex partners. Safe sex is fun and reduces worry about getting unwanted pregnancy and diseases. Safe sex entails using a condom during sex and taking HIV medications that prevent someone with the HIV virus from spreading the virus.

Older people who become HIV infected does not warrant any alarm. With improved medications, people living with HIV/AIDs are able to live longer due to improved treatments. Most people living with AIDs in the United States live above the age of 50. These individuals are diagnosed with HIV/AIDs at a younger age. Nevertheless, many people are infected with HIV- including older people- each day. However, it is not common for older people to be infected with HIV compared to younger people, so they may not understand that they have the virus. People can mistake symptoms of HIV/AIDs with the signs of normal aging, which may conceal the signs of HIV/AIDs. Hence it is essential to educate and encourage older people to go for HIV tests. This will assist in making an earlier diagnosis, and help arrest the virus before it progresses to late stages.

It is essential for HIV-infected persons to seek immediate medical attention and stick to the prescribed dosage. People who refuse treatment risk having the virus grow to stages that are hard to control. Some people may be reluctant to take medications since they may not have received the correct guidance on the implication. Hence people who refuse treatment should not be judged. Instead, it is appropriate to educate them on the dangers of refusing treatment on their health. Others may have been informed by their doctors that their HIV status is on the category or non-progressors. However, they must stick to their medication regardless.

HIV infected individuals who chose not to use the social services are losing a lot. Social workers are trained experts who understand the implications of HIV/AIDs. Social workers also provide guidance and counseling, as well as peer support. They also train patients to deal with complications of treatments. Additionally, social workers work in a variety of settings, and they know that assisting clients is a process that begins before the patient commences using the medications. Hence, they are better placed to advise the client appropriately.

Yes, I can work with individuals infected with HIV/AIDs because aids is a disease just like any other illness. Hence there is no reason to discriminate individuals infected with HIV/AIDS. What I would like to change is the view that HIV is a death sentence. Instead, it is a manageable chronic illness. Additionally, the belief that people cannot get aids through oral sex is wrong; people can get the HIV virus from oral sex.