How You Can Stop AIDS
AIDS is a silent killer. It strikes when you least expect it. Its effects are debilitating and no cure is available yet.
Most importantly, it preys upon anyone indiscriminately. Women are just as susceptible to AIDS as men are. In fact, out of all the adults living with AIDS and HIV today worldwide, almost half are women.
Thus everyone, even you, has a responsibility to help stop the spread of HIV infection and AIDS.
What are HIV and AIDS?
The HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is transmitted via contact with bodily fluids. Be it sexual intercourse without protection, injecting drug use or contact with contaminated blood, HIV can strike anyone.
Even innocent babies are not spared as HIV-positive mothers can pass the virus on to her child during pregnancy, delivery or through breastfeeding.
When a person is first infected by HIV, he or she may look and feel well, but the virus will eventually take its course and slowly break down the immune system.
AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is the final stage of HIV infection when the body’s immune system is completely destroyed, leaving the person with no resistance to diseases.
Ten things you can do
Safeguarding yourself and stopping the spread of this incurable disease can be easier than you think. All it takes is a little effort and commitment to taking these ten steps:
- Educate yourself
The fact that you are reading this means you are on a good start. Give yourself a pat on the back for taking action to read and find out more about HIV and AIDS. Arm yourself with knowledge and news about AIDS as it can help you gain a perspective on how important it is for you to help stop the spread.
- Practise safer sex
If you are sexually active with persons whose HIV status is unknown, condoms offer the best protection against HIV infection and sexually transmitted infections. So don’t forget to put on a condom every time during sexual intercourse. Don’t let excuses like “I was too lazy to get condoms” prevent you from protecting yourself against the HIV infection.
- Get tested
Go for a medical check for HIV infection with your partner. Getting your HIV tests done together can help build trust between the two of you by showing there is nothing to hide in your relationship and that you care for each other’s wellbeing.
Getting tested also ensures that you start treatment early if you are infected and hence have a better chance to extend your health and life. Awareness of your HIV status will also enable you to prevent the risk of transmission to your other half.
If you suspect that you might be infected, go for a test again in 3 to 6 months even if your current test is negative. It usually takes 4 weeks to 6 months before the antibodies show up in your blood.
- Avoid intravenous drug use
Not only are drugs damaging to your health, drug use through needle injection can also put you at a high risk of HIV infection, especially if you are sharing needles. If your loved ones have an injecting drug use problem, seek help to assist them to end the habit.
- Avoid contact with contaminated blood
When getting medical procedures done, or even when you are just getting a tattoo or your ears pierced, make sure the needles and equipment are sterilised and clean.
- Avoid high-risk behaviours
Engaging in prostitution, drug use and unprotected sexual relations with multiple partners increases your chances of getting infected by HIV.
High-risk behaviours could also bring about consequences that affect your other half. In fact, most Singaporean women who are HIV positive were infected because of their husband’s or boyfriend’s infidelity. The reverse could happen as well. So always be responsible for your life and your partner’s too.
- Think for your children
Children are innocent victims when HIV is passed on to them from their mothers during pregnancy, delivery or through breastfeeding.
For women, protecting yourself against HIV isn’t just for your own good – you are sparing your child from the danger of AIDS too.
However, if you discover that you are infected while you are pregnant, there are ways to prevent the transmission to your baby. Antiretroviral drugs can help reduce the chances of mother-to-child transmission from 25% to 2%. So, for the sake of your child, do not forget to get yourself checked for HIV and seek treatment if you are infected.
- Do not discriminate
If you know someone who is living with AIDS, do not be prejudiced against him or her. The more a society discriminates, the more people fear to be stigmatised. As a result, they are afraid to get tested and continue to be unaware of their infection and fail to protect others by passing on the virus. So do your part – share a meal with a HIV-positive person and recognise him/her as part of the society and help stop stigmatisation related to HIV infection.
- Spread the awareness
Many people are also ignorant about the realities of AIDS. So pass the information on. Educate your children on how AIDS spreads, and advise your family and friends on how to protect themselves from HIV infection.
- Support and join community AIDS efforts
Find out what your community is doing to stop AIDS and volunteer to help them out. Or you can also show your support for the global effort on World AIDS Day this December 1st.
AIDS is a global issue, and to stop it requires collective effort. So help out by doing your part as a couple.
If you have more questions about HIV and AIDS, don’t hesitate to look for information and professional advice through:
- AIDS Helpline at 1800 252 1324 (office hours)
- AIDS Hotline at 6295 2944 (24-hour)
- HPB HealthLine at 1800 223 1313
- Action for AIDS Helpline at 6254 0212
For volunteer opportunities in Singapore, contact:
- Patient Care Centre at 6357 7949 or gina_he_quek@ttsh.com.sg
- Action for AIDS at 6254 0212 or shaleene_@afa.org.sg
