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What is HIV?
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks our T-Cells, making us more vulnerable to other infections and disease. It kills Cd4.
What is T-Cells or Cd4 Cells?
It is a white cells, that move throughout our body and destroy bacteria, viruses and other invading germs. Once the virus enters into our T-cells, they kill the cells and replicate. Once T-cells dies, our immune system has no capacity to fight any invading sickness. The Cd4 count is a test to measure how many Cd4 cells we have in our body. Mine is 180 that means very low and the viral load was tremendous that my doctor feared that It may lead to Aids but with the absence of Infectious diseases like Pneumonia or Tuberculosis will not categorize as AIDS.
How Does HIV Transmit to other Person?
Knowing how the virus transmit to other person is very important to avoid that stigma. There are lots of myths and many people because of ignorance judge the PLHIV and it really hurts. We are still human, and like other sickness, we need understanding and support. We do not need judgment nor name calling. HIV transmit through the following.
Body fluid of a person with HIV
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Sex without barriers or treatment can transmit the virus to another person from a PLHIV. In the Philippines,people were adamant on using condom. Even buying it on drugstore is a fear for anyone but we must accept that people like us love sex but we have no proper education how to prevent the virus. Some do not want to use condom because they say, with it, sex is not sweet but what is sweeter? Is life sweeter having the virus and having a lifetime taking of ARV? I think, it is time to educate our young people beginning in high school. Let our young men and women learn how to use it because either we accept it or not, sex urge is human.
Through sharing injection drug equipment
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We have many cases of this. I have read a news about Pakistani babies have HIV in the hospital. What is our take on it? Do babies chose to have the virus? No! They are the victim. How about those drug addicts who share injection? We can judge them but do we really need to do that? They were also suffering. Having the virus is not easy. I am telling you. It is not easy to have it but still you can live a normal life and it will be sweeter if your family accepted and understand you.
Breastfeeding
Once a mother is a PLHIV, the virus can transmit through breastfeeding. Good thing nowaday, we have ARV that stop that transmission to our babies.
Pakistani babies have HIV in the hospital. What is our take on it? Do babies chose to have the virus? No! They are the victim. How about those drug addicts who share injection? We can judge them but do we really need to do that? They were also suffering. Having the virus is not easy. I am telling you. It is not easy to have it but still you can live a normal life and it will be sweeter if your family accepted and understand you.
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Breastfeeding
Once a mother is a PLHIV, the virus can be transmitted through breastfeeding. Good thing nowaday, we have ARV that stop that transmission to our babies.
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Blood Transfusion
I once asked to donate my blood to Red Cross but I denied it eventhough the agent asked me. Once, my blood used to help others, the virus will be transmitted to the person without knowing it.
First identified in 1981, HIV is the cause of one of humanity's deadliest and most persistent epidemics,
In the Philippines, the number of cases is alarming nowadays. Because of Social Media, many people undergo testing. In my opinion, it is better to be tested and know your status so that we can help you fight the virus through taking the ARV.
HIV will flourish on human body only. Once it is expose outside, it will die. If left untreated, HIV can lead to the disease AIDS (acquired Immunodeficiency syndrome).
Remember, HIV will not kill you. It is the Opportunistic Infections that will inhabit your system. The human body cannot get rid of it and no effective cure exists since. So, once you have it, you need to take the ARV for life.
What is AIDS then? I will discuss on the next chapter. By the way, do you have stories about someone having it? Share with us or are you one of us? Feel free to message me and I am here as a PLHIV mom.
