| 1. |
Can I contact the Human Immune Deficiency
Virus through kissing? |
| |
Answer
The number of copies of the HIV in the saliva is small compared to that
in the blood of an infected person and does not pose a HIGH RISK
although deep kissing that can inflict minor injuries on the lips,
gums and teeth leading to minute bleeds which are not obvious but
however increase load of viruses in the saliva and creates routes of
entry for the virus through the broken mucus membranes of the mouth.
It is important to note that the number of viruses present in body
fluids which are an ultrafiltrate of blood can be reduced by taking
Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) consistently for at least six month. |
| 2. |
I had a splash of vomit from an infected
friend, am I likely to get infected? |
| |
Answer
You are unlikely to be infected if there is fresh/frank blood in
the vomits which comes in contact with your broken or wounded skin.
The acidity of the stomach is unfavorable for the virus. However you
need to know your status by screening and if the risk factors described
above are present (bloody vomits and injured or broken skin), you need
to commence Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). |
| 3. |
Can I get the virus through sweat or
cleaning the urine or excrement of an infected person? |
| |
Answer
Sweat, Urine, excrement of infected person pose a low risk but
precaution should still be taken for instance ,wearing latex gloves when
clearing freshly passed faeces since it might be blood stained although
not obvious. |
| 4. |
Can I get the infection by using the spoon
of an infected person? |
| |
Answer
Not likely especially if the spoon is washed after the infected person
uses it. To separate the spoons and cutlery of an infected person could
amount to stigmatization. |
[Soon.]
| 1. |
What is window period in HIV infection? |
| |
Answer
Window period in HIV infection refers to the space of time between
introduction of the virus into the body and when the body forms
detectable antibodies to the virus. This period could span between six
(6) months to twelve (12) or much longer. |
| 2. |
How long can I live with the virus? |
| |
Answer
You likely lived with the virus for a while before diagnosis especially
if you haven’t been having routine voluntary counselling and testing. If
you enrol in medical care and adherent to your medication and maintain a
healthy life style – nutritionally, sexually, emotionally, for as long
as ……… Before your drugs fail and have to switched over to second line
drugs or salvage drug regimen. |
| 3. |
How long can my drug work before the fail? |
| |
Answer
|
| 4. |
What options are available to me if my
drugs fail? |
| |
Answer
|
| . |
What are the long term side effects of the
drugs on my vital organs e.g. kidneys, liver, heart/blood vessels,
blood, bone? |
| |
Answer
The long term side effect of the drugs include affection of the kidney
and liver function, problems with fat metabolism and storage in the body
(fat loss could be permanent) the nervous system could be affected
especially causing peripheral neuropathies (including loss of sensation,
burning sensation and pain in the limb) there could be increased
pigmentation on the skin which can pose a cosmetic challenge among
others. |
[Soon.]
| 1. |
Can I get married and live with my spouse
happily and normally? |
| |
Answer
A number of factors can determine your happiness with your spouse.
His/her understanding of your condition is crucial, ability to accept
you like that and support you. Your definition of happiness is also
crucial but the following factors are important.
- His /her status (HIV positive or negative)
- Does he/she have the same genotype or strain of the same virus
with you.(the viral genotype could be the same if you get infected
from the same source or from each other)
- Do both of agree to the use of condom for instance, which is
important to prevent cross infection when both parties have
different viral strains).
- Generally, if your partner does not stigmatize you, your chances
of living happily together is greater and for that to happen you
need to get her/him informed, likely get your spouse to see a
counsellor.
This means that you can get married but your spouse should be in
light of your condition and be left to take a well informed decision of
her/his own free will. |
| 2. |
Can I get pregnant? When? How? Since we
are advised to use barrier method of contraception. |
| |
Answer
Of course yes! You can get pregnant but for the safety of yourself,
your baby and your husband, you need to consider the following:
- Discuss with your gynaecologist who would conduct medical test
to know your blood level (hemoglobin) and swab tests (high vaginal
swab-HVS, Endo-cervical swab- ECS, Pap smear) for instance.
- Your doctor will also consider your CD4count which should be
greater than 200 cell/mm3 (Nigeria standard) when you are considered
fit for pregnancy; you will be advised to have sex without condom
around your ovulation period. Her are ovulation strips which can
bought across the counter of pharmacies which when dipped in your
urine can help you know when you are ovulating. You will need to
continue seeing your gynaecologist throughout pregnancy and
puerperal period.
|
| 3. |
How can prevent my baby from getting
infected? |
| |
Answer
Your baby can be protected from the infection by the following:
- Start by seeing your gynecologist /PMTCT Doctor as explained in
(20) above, this will ensure that you have safe labour and delivery
procedures e.g. using ART during pregnancy or in labour to reduce
your viral load and reduce the risk of vertical transmission; ensure
your baby has ART to reduce the risk of infection and institute safe
infant feeding procedures to prevent infection through breast milk.
- Enroll your baby in a pediatric ART-clinic for follow up and
monitoring of health and HIV status.
|
| 4. |
What are the feeding options available to
my baby apart from breast milk? |
| |
Answer
The feeding option is Exclusive Replacement Feeding and when baby is old
enough say (4-6 months) you can complement with your household feeds. it
is important that your baby can pasteurized breast milk which is safe.
You are advised to see your nutritionist for farther details. |
| 5. |
How can prolong the life expectancy of my
baby since he/she is infected already? |
| |
Answer
Enrol your baby in a paediatric ART clinic where routine medical check
e.g. routine CD4 counts among other are done. Your baby will also
benefit the service of a specialist like a nutritionist and routine
medication like haematerics/immune boosters, prevention and early
diagnosis and treatment of opportunist infection. |
| 6. |
How does the virus affect the academic
performance of my child? |
| |
Answer
Repeated ill –health due to opportunistic infections can affect your
child’s consistency in class and farther affect the child’s ability to
cope and perform well academically. Poor performance can farther reduce
your child’s self confidence and self esteem resulting in vicious circle
of failure.The HIV virus can affect the brain causing HIV
encephalopathy, a condition which the brain does not develop normally
and affects the academic performance of the child. |
| 7. |
How and when do I disclose the status of
my child to him/her? |
| |
Answer
|
existence-ok.com
Copyright © 2001 Virtual Hospital World. All rights reserved.
|
