Civic ed-HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS

The Human Immuno deficiency Virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that infects cells of the immune system, destroying or impairing their functions.

Causes of HIV/AIDS

Unsafe sex
Use of contaminated objects
Infected Mother
Transfusion of Infected blood

Symptoms and effects of HIV/AIDS

● Being very tired, extreme weakness (fatigue)
● Unexplained Quick weight loss
● Fevers and night sweats
● Headache
● Diarrhea , vomiting and nausea
● Sore throat, Mouth, genital or anal sores
● Swollen lymph glands, mainly on the neck

Prevention of HIV/AIDS

Abstinence: Unmarried people should abstain from sex and the couples should alsobefaithful to their spouses. ❖ Correct and proper Use of condoms. ❖ Proper screening of blood , Injection with unsterilized needles and cuttings hair withsterilized clippers. ❖ Government and non- governmental organizations should educate people on howHIV/AIDS spreads, its effects management and prevention
❖ Contact with infected bod
❖ fluid such as infected blood should be avoided

Effects of HIV/AIDS

Death: Death can occur when the disease is prolonged
Manpower loss: Anyone who has full blown case of AIDS will definitely be forced to withdraw from economic activities and therefore becomes unproductive which will affect
the number of people working in the country.

Psychological effects: There is usually mental torture, anger, frustration and emotional depression on the part of the infected person and his/her relatives

Financial loss: Family members of the infected person spend large sum of money on medication. It makes the victim uncomfortable and ill as they are troubled by various diseases

Stigmatization of people living with HIV/AIDS

1. Discrimination in the use of public utilities
2. Denial of their fundamental human rights
3. Loss of employment/denial of employment
4. Ostracized by friends and family members or other groups. 5. Loss of income and other means of livelihood
6. Non-recognition of HIV/AIDS victims in the society
7. Denial of opportunities in the society
8. Gossip / backbiting
9. Confinement/ quarantine

HOW TO CARE FOR PEOPLE WITH HIV/AIDS

▪Affection and love: It is important for the general public to care, love and assist affected by AIDS. Be encouraging and loving.
▪Word of God: Infected people should be admonished with the word of God and be made to know that God loves them and will be merciful to them and can heal them
▪Regular counselling: Victims should be given regular counselling that being a patient is not the end of life and their relatives too, should be encouraged to love them. ▪Availability of drugs: Anti HIV drugs should be made available and affordable to the people living with the disease
▪Jobs: HIV victims should not be discriminated against or stigmatized in their place of work