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HIV Transmission and Prevention

So you think you know everything you need to know about HIV/AIDS…if you do, then you should be able to easily answer the following questions…and if you can’t, then you maybe you don’t know as much as you need to know!

1. What percentage of people in Walvis Bay is estimated to be HIV positive?
2. True or False – Namibia has one of the highest estimated numbers of HIV infections in the world.
3. What four body fluids contain enough of the HIV virus to be infectious?
4. What is the only 100% guaranteed method of protecting yourself from getting HIV through sex?
5. True of False - Every child born to an HIV positive woman will have HIV.
6. Is HIV and AIDS the same thing?

Think you know all the answers…well lets see how you did.

1. 25% True – Namibia is usually ranked as number 5 in the world.
2. Blood, semen, vaginal fluid and breast milk
3. This is a tricky one cause you probably said condoms – and they are about 97% effective when used CORRECTLY and CONSISTENTLY. But only abstinence (not having any sexual contact) provides 100% protection.
4. False – About 1 out of every 3 babies born to HIV positive women will end up infected with the virus if there is no medical intervention.
5. NO- (please continue reading this page).

So if you did not do as well as you thought you would, we can help. Read the collection of facts that follows – and if you don’t see a question you might have, you can send it to us at: anna@mpc.org.na

Basic Facts

Defining HIV and AIDS: H - Human: only found in human I - Immuno-deficiency: weakens the immune system V - Virus: A type of germ

A - Acquired: To get. Something that you are not born with I - Immune: Your defense system D - Deficiency: Lack of or not enough of something S - Syndrome: A collection of diseases, getting sick

HIV and Aids are NOT the same. HIV is the virus, AIDS comes as a result of HIV infection. AIDS is a collection of diseases that results from a weakened immune system. A person can have HIV for a long time before he\she develops AIDS.

HIV only lives in FOUR BODY FLUIDS in high enough concentration to spread the virus. These fluids have White Blood Cells (WBC), which are the types of cells that HIV infects. 1. Blood
2. Semen - the fluid that a man ejaculates when sexually excited
3. Vaginal Fluids - the fluid that a woman releases when she is sexually excited
4. Breast Milk

For a person to be infected with HIV, the virus must enter the body. If any of these four fluids come in contact with the body, a person is at risk of HIV infection.

Some examples of where the virus could enter the body:
Cuts, wounds, open sores in or on the skin
Lining of the vagina or vulva
Thin skin on the penis
Lining of the rectum ( in the anus)
Mouth ( sores or openings)
Lining of the esophagus ( e.g. in the new born who is breastfeeding)

Some behaviors that might allow these four fluids to enter the body and therefore put a person at risk of HIV transmission:
a) Sex:
Unprotected sexual intercourse

b) Blood - to - blood contact:
Blood transfusions (infected blood, which is rare in Namibia because donated blood is tested)
Traditional scarring (sharing non-sterilized razors and other instruments)
Circumcision ( sharing non-sterilized razors and other instruments)
Intravenous drug use (sharing of needles)

c) Mother to child transmission:
While mother is pregnant with the child, through injury to the uterus or placenta
When the baby is born (during childbirth), its soft skin is exposed to the mother's blood
While breastfeeding

Prevention of sexual transmission of HIV
a) Abstain: Choosing not to take part in sex
b) Be Faithful: Only have sex with one partner who you know (by an HIV test) is HIV negative
c) Use a Condom correctly every time you have sex: Condoms provide a barrier, not allowing any of the fluids to enter the body
d) Delay: Waiting till a later age before taking part in sexual activities
e) Early treatment of STI: Sexual Transmitted Infections increase the risk of HIV infection. All STI should be treated as early as possible.

You can also look at any of the following links for more information:
www.thebody.com
www.redribbon.co.za

www.who.org