HIV/AIDS

Prevention

There is no absolute preventive measure for HIV as there is no successful vaccination is available. The most effective method of prevention is monogamous faithful relationship with a partner or spouse. Condoms if used properly can effectively reduce the transmission to a certain degree but it does not completely eliminate the risk. Avoid sharing needles, tattoos, razors. Newborn babies born from infected mother should get treated for HIV immediately.

During the sessions of sex therapy it is a good idea to inform patients about the some of the complications of STD which may lead to sexual dysfunctions. A suggestion of mutual faithful monogamous relationship may take care of several of the problems.

Complications

HIV is the most dangerous of all the STDs as there are several complications of HIV, the most dreaded one is AIDS which is a non curable conditions and ultimately leads to the untimely death of the infected person. Most complications of HIV/AIDS are as a result of suppression of T-cell mediated immunity which causes the immune system of the body to become ineffective against infections. This leads to repeated infections by different organisms which does not cause any disease in normal healthy person. Some of the complications are listed as below.

Pulmonary complications:
Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia
Bacterial pneumonia
Fungal infections
Tuberculosis
CNS complications:
Cerebral toxoplasmosis
Cryptococcal meningitis
Progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy
HIV encephalopathy
Peripheral neuropathy and myelopathy
Ocular disease::
CMV retinitis
Tumours:
Kaposi's sarcoma
Non-hodgkins lymphoma
Oesophageal candidiasis:

This is caused by a fungus named Candida. The esophagus gets infected and inflamed, resulting into difficulty in eating and drinking and may lead to several other problems.

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