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AIDS PREVENTION

In purpose of AIDS prevention, Terra association is conducting a needle exchange program, education programs in the drop-in centre, outreach work, preparing and distribution of the informational and educational flyers, commemorating AIDS day etc.

Terra association provides you with the free HIV testing.

ANSWERS TO THE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS CONCERNING HIV/AIDS

What is HIV?

HIV is an acronym for human immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS. HIV has been found in body fluids (especially blood, semen, vaginal secretion and mother’s milk) of the infected person. Contagious person does not need to know that he has been infected. Most of the persons that get infected by HIV get AIDS. Sometimes there can pass 10 years from getting the disease till the disease symptoms manifestation.

What is AIDS?

AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is a condition caused by HIV. By getting the virus into the bloodstream there has been a gradual destruction of immune system that serves as a natural defense system for fighting infections and diseases like:

  • infections of the bronchus, lungs and esophagus;
  • invasive carcinoma of the vrata uterus;
  • diarrhea caused by the parasites;
  • Herpes simplex;
  • Kaposi syndrome;
  • Lymphoma (a sort of a lymph or lymph knots carcinoma);
  • different bacterial infections that cause fever, weight loss, gastrointestinal problems
  • pneumonia;
  • Brain toxoplasmosis (disease caused by a parasite);
  • TBC
  • having sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal or oral) with the HIV positive person;
  • during the pregnancy and by giving birth (from mother to child);
  • Prenatal way of transferring the disease from mother to child during the pregnancy and breast feeding
People with HIV don’t have to express any symptoms of the disease so they don’t have to know that they have HIV, but can transmit the virus to the other person. Physical appearance doesn’t have to say anything about the HIV status of a person.

How is HIV being transferred?

HIV is being transferred by having contact with the blood and body fluids of the infected person (especially semen, vaginal secret and mother’s milk). It has been transferred:

  • sexually (having unprotected vaginal and/or anal intercourse);
  • by blood (stings with the contaminated needles or other sharp objects);

HIV is NOT being transferred by:

  • using contagious tattoo and piercing instruments;
  • social contacts;
  • wearing infected persons clothes;
  • touch;
  • using the same kitchenware and tools;
  • kissing and hugging;
  • handshaking;
  • insect bites;
  • tears, saliva and sweat;
  • living and working with HIV positive persons

How one can protect himself from HIV?

By avoiding high risk behavior, person can reduce the possibility of getting HIV infection. Abstinence is the only safe way of stopping the spread of HIV by sexual intercourse. Risk of getting HIV infection is low if you are having a long-term monogamous relationship (one partner) with the uninfected partner. The best way to prevent getting HIV infection is abstinence from unprotected sexual intercourse and iv drug abuse.

To reduce the risk of getting HIV infection:

  • use latex or polyurethane condoms during the sexual intercourse
  • limit the number of your sexual partners
  • avoid sharing needles (iv drug abuse)
  • avoid having sexual intercourse with the persons that engage in risky behavior
  • avoid piercing and/or tattoos with not sterilized needles
  • conduct standard measures of protection on work for health practitioners