HIV-Symptoms And Safety Measures

AIDS can be a deceptive disease where the infected person shows no symptom at all Usually the disease reaches a very advanced stage before it can be diagnosed. The symptoms experienced are more of common problems like stomachaches, headaches, fever and rashes over the skin. HIV can remain undetected in a persons body for a very long period of time. During this period any form of testing for HIV will not provide any conclusive results. Only when the immune system starts manufacturing antibodies to combat the HIV infection will the test show positive for AIDS. Hence it's not the HIV, which the test detects, but antibodies the immune system secretes to fight this attack.

A. Drug Use

• Never share a needle or syringe with another person, however well known to you. HIV easily survives in a syringe that has been infected by someone, for a period of one month.
• Instead of sterilising a used syringe, it is advisable to use a fresh syringe each time. The syringe may still be infected.

B. Safe Sex

• It is not feasible to ask someone to abstain from sex completely. However try and stick to one partner, whom you know is not HIV-Positive, through a proper medical checkup.
• Always use a condom. The female partner can use a diaphragm or some other barrier to sexual fluids. This gives more protection in addition to male condom.
• Homosexual couples are a high risk group. Restrain from such relationships. Always avoid anal or rectal intercourse.
• If use a lubricant, go for a water-based one. This lowers the chance of a condom or diaphragm breaking.
• Always use some form of protective barrier when indulging in oral sex. Use a condom, or whatever is appropriate in the given circumstances.

C. Using A Condom Effectively

• Always use a fairly rugged condom. It minimises the risk of breaking during intercourse. Latex rubber condoms are preferable to others. A condom that is already lubricated, is a great advantage.
• Use a condom that sells with spermicide, as they kill viruses in addition to sperms.
• Never use if the expiry date has already passed. Old and worn-out condom tear much more easily than new ones.
• Each time you have sex use a new condom . A condom undergoes a lot of wear and tear, it is not to be reused.
• Open the package containing the condom very carefully. Make sure it does not tear in the process.
• Never wear a condom over a flaccid penis. It does not work. Wait till you get a proper erection.
• Wear a condom after you reach a certain level of sexual excitement and not just before you enter your partner. If you ejaculate prematurely the sperm may enter your partner's vaginal canal, if your genitals are very close to hers.
• Always roll back your foreskin before putting the condom on if you are not circumcised.
• Remove your penis from your partner's vaginal canal while it is still erect. Once it becomes flaccid, your ejaculate(semen) will spill out. If during intercourse you feel that the condom is going to slip off, then hold it at the base where your penis meets your testicles to prevent this danger.

As of now, there is no cure for AIDS. There are drugs that prolong a patients life. There are many research's going on in this regard, especially in the US, and hopefully a cure(or a vaccine) will be discovered.