AIDS doesn't kill anyone, but other infections and cancer that develops as a result of HIV/ AIDS do. The period between primary infection with HIV and the first appearance of clinical disease is usually long in adults, averaging about 10 years. Death occurs about 2 years later after clinical appearance of disease.
These view were expressed in the technical session of the two days National Conference organised in connection with "World AIDS Day" by the Pakistan Medical Society (PMS) in collaboration with Lahore College for Women University.
Renowned Gynaecologist of King Edward Medical University Professor Arshad Chohan, Physician from Ganga Ram Dr Khalid Mahmood, PMS Chairman Dr Masood Akhtar Sheikh, physician from America Dr Nisar Chaudhry, Psychiatrist from Fatima Jinnah Medical College Professor Aftab Asif spoke on the occasion.
The speakers maintained that treatment could slow the rate at which HIV weakens the immune system. There are other treatments that can prevent or cure some of the illnesses associated with AIDS, they added.
Speaking on the occasion Dr Masood Akhtar Sheikh said that HIV is not an airborne or food borne virus. There is a lot of concern but no risk of transmission of HIV/AIDS through the mosquito bite. "HIV is not transmitted through casual contacts, shaking hands, hugging or a casual kiss. You cannot become infected from a toilet seat, or sneezing or coughing of infected person, a drinking fountain, a doorknob, dishes, drinking glasses, food, or pets" he added.
HIV is present in the blood, semen or vaginal secretions of an infected person and can be transmitted through unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex or through sharing injection drug needles. For injecting drug users who cannot stop using drugs, the best way to minimise the risk of transmission of HIV and other diseases is to never re-use or "share" syringes, he added. Having a sexually transmitted disease (STD) can increase a person's risk of becoming infected with HIV, he added.
Dr Sheikh said that the only way to determine whether one is infected is to be tested for HIV infection. You can't rely on symptoms to know whether or not you are infected with HIV. Many people who are infected with HIV don't have any symptoms at all for many years.
HIV is a fragile virus that does not live long outside the body. The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) can be used to detect HIV, virus. The time it takes for a person who has been infected with HIV to seroconversion (test positive) for HIV antibodies is commonly called the "Window Period." When a person is infected with the HIV virus, statistics show that 95-97 percent (perhaps higher) of all infected individuals develop anti bodies within 12 weeks (3-months)." You have to test your blood 3-4 months for the presence of antibodies. Testing positive for HIV means that you now carry the virus that causes AIDS, it does not mean that you have AIDS, nor does it mean that you will die, he added.
Professor Arshad Chohan said that if the woman is infected, HIV is present in vaginal and cervical secretions and can enter the man through the urethra. The presence of other STDs can increase the risk of transmission. If a woman is infected with HIV, there are now medical therapies available to lower the chance of passing HIV to the infant before, during or after birth. Retrovir (AZT) is the only drug currently approved for pregnant women.
Anti-HIV (also called antiretroviral) medications are used to control the reproduction of the virus and to slow the progression of HIV-related disease, he added.
Dr Khalid Mahmood underlined the fact that although there is no cure for AIDS many opportunistic infections that make people sick can be controlled, prevented or eliminated. AIDS is characterised by a pronounced suppression of the immune system and the development of unusual neoplasms and wide variety of severe opportunistic infections, he said. Dr Aftab Asif said that latex condoms are highly effective in preventing HIV transmission when used correctly and consistently.
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