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UNKNOWNS ABOUT HIV: HOW IS IT TRANSMITTED, HOW IS IT NOT?
A lot of hearsay is circulating about HIV, which causes AIDS, which is acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Experts say that many people do not know that they are carrying HIV, while young people, in particular, need to be aware of this issue.
So, how is HIV transmitted, how is it not transmitted? Here’s what’s curious about HIV.
“A person can be infected with HIV, but he may not know it at all because he does not give symptoms, contrary to what is thought. While a person feels healthy, the virus gradually invades the immune system and causes disease. The time it takes for HIV to take over the immune system and cause the disease varies from person to person and can last from 2 years to 10 years. AIDS is the latest stage in a chain of diseases caused by HIV.”the head of the Immunology Department of a private health group, said Dr. Taşkınoğlu touched on important points and gave information that could be a guide to parents in particular.
People with AIDS have become very open to infections and diseases such as cancer, where the immune system protects us, Taşkınoğlu said, adding that these people are vulnerable to all infections. Here’s what you need to know about HIV…
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HOW IS HIV TRANSMITTED?
* Through any unprotected sexual intercourse.
* Through sharing blood and blood products and cutting tools: since HIV is found in the blood, manicure tools, toothbrushes, razors and machines should not be shared in daily life.
* HIV can be transmitted from an infected woman to her baby during pregnancy or childbirth.
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HOW IS HIV NOT TRANSMITTED?
HIV is not transmitted from the toilet, clothes, dishes, sneezing, coughing, sharing food, biting, kissing, that is, simple contact with a person who is HIV positive. Living with someone infected with the virus, sitting with them, chatting, eating together, slapping, or even kissing will not infect you.
HIV can be transmitted to anyone. Anyone who practices unsafe behavior is at risk for HIV infection. Men, women and children have been infected since HIV emerged. Black, white, Asian and Hispanic people were infected. People of all sexual orientations; heterosexual, bisexual, gay men and lesbians can become infected with HIV.
Although treatments have been developed that help people with HIV live longer and healthier lives, unfortunately, their full recovery has not yet been achieved. The virus can be stopped and reduced in number, but it cannot be completely killed.
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50 PER CENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THEY HAVE HIV
According to WHO data, 25 percent of HIV-positive patients are not yet aware that they are sick or carrying the virus. It is thought that this figure is 50 percent in young people. HIV carriers can continue their active lives without knowing that they are carrying the virus for years without any symptoms. You can only tell if you are carrying the virus by getting tested.
Since there are currently no vaccines or treatments to prevent AIDS or make a full recovery, the only way to protect our children from HIV is to tell them about HIV and AIDS, how they can protect themselves.
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LET THEM LEARN ABOUT SEXUALITY FROM THE RIGHT PLACE
It’s hard to talk to our children about HIV and AIDS. Because one of the main ways to become infected with HIV is sexual intercourse, and in order to be able to talk about HIV, we first need to be able to talk about sexuality with our children.
Many parents are concerned about talking to their children about sexual issues. Most of us may feel uncomfortable because we don’t know what to say, how to say it. Some of us also think that talking to children about explicit sexual intercourse can scare them or encourage them to have sex at a very young age.
However, the fact is that our children encounter many stimuli much earlier today, as they enter puberty, they discover their sexuality and wonder about sexuality. They learn from their friends, the internet, magazines and books to satisfy their curiosity in some way when they are ashamed and don’t ask us, or when we are ashamed and don’t tell them. And they learn lies and mistakes, and they can even try it somehow.
Whatever your views on sex education, you need to understand that HIV is life-threatening and find a way to protect children and provide information.
I don’t mind if you express your true opinion of sexuality in soft language or even show that you are old-fashioned or shy. You can tell your children that you find it difficult to talk about these issues, but it is much more important that he finds out the truth, so you can talk to him about it because you love him.
From the age of 5-8, children can understand and begin to wonder about complex issues such as health, illness and sexuality. Birth, families, and Death interest them. They probably hear it on TV, the internet, or from their friends. They may even be afraid because they don’t know. It will help them explain diseases, microbes with concrete examples. For example, if your child cuts off his finger and blood flows, you have the perfect opportunity to explain how germs (things that make you sick) can get into the blood system through cuts in your body. You can tell that kissing, spitting at each other with friends, can cause herpes.
Children can be very curious about sex while trying to understand their sexual identity during puberty changes that begin at 9-12 years old, and they need basic, accurate information. As they age, they have to know what is meant by sexual intercourse, homosexuality, and oral, anal, and vaginal sex.
They have to be aware that sexuality, including pregnancy, diseases and HIV infection, can have significant consequences in their lives.
They need to know why sexual intercourse is an adult behavior and why it’s a good idea for young people to expect to have sex.
They have to know how sexually transmitted diseases are transmitted. As early as we think it is, if he is wrong and is with someone or tries, they have to know how to protect him.
It may be hard for us to talk about all this, but it gives your children a chance to teach them the values you hope they will adopt in their lives. It also lets your children know they can come to you with their questions about HIV/AIDS or sexuality.
You should tell 13-19-year-olds that the best way to prevent HIV infection is not to have sex or use a common cutting piercing tool with anyone, what they may encounter if they get tattoos, piercings, and if they want to do it, they should do it with you. You should also share your beliefs and values about sexual behavior.
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PROTECTION RATE IS VERY LOW
Many parents do not want or even can’t believe the idea that their children can experience sexuality at an early age, but statistics show that one in every 10 children at the end of high school has had sex at least once in the last 1 year. According to a 2005 study in Turkey, a quarter of those who stated that they had had sexual intercourse stated that they had experienced their first sexual experience at the age of 13 or earlier. The age of first sexual experience is mainly between the ages of 14-15. Only 10.7 percent of students who said they had had sex said they used condoms.
Social pressure to try sex and drugs is often very strong among young people. Therefore, all young people should be given the following information by underlining.
The best way to prevent HIV infection, other sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy is not to have sex.
Lifelong monogamy, in which they know they do not carry the disease and with an honest partner, is effective in preventing HIV infection.
Teens experiencing intercourse should use latex condoms for every relationship, including oral sex, anal sex, and vaginal sex. Condoms are very effective in preventing pregnancy and diseases and are the only way to protect against diseases.
Young people should avoid all medications, including alcohol. Drugs and alcohol disrupt good decision-making and can suppress the immune system.
Sharing needles of all kinds puts people at risk for HIV. Needles used to inject drugs, injecting steroids, piercing the ears and body, and getting tattoos are dangerous.
As long as we are not ashamed and talk, our children begin to experience sexuality with the information they learn from their friends. Children don’t expect to grow up. For this reason, it is necessary to ensure that children can protect themselves. Our children need to be taught that if they are going to have sex, they need to protect themselves against teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.
Perhaps the most important step you can take is to say the first words. Children may not always be able to ask questions about sexuality. You may have to start somehow. To do this, starting by talking about a TV show, news on the radio, or a magazine or newspaper article about AIDS can help you draw a roadmap.
You should try to answer your children’s questions without judgment. Your children should know that they can always ask you questions about anything. Let them know that you love them and that you will not leave them alone, even if they do things that you will not like.
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Turkey's world-renowned organ transplant specialist. Dr. Demirbaş has 104 international publications and 102 national publications.
Physician's Resume:
Born on August 7, 1963 in Çorum, Prof. Dr. Alper Demirbaş has been continuing his work as the President of MedicalPark Antalya Hospital Organ Transplantation Center since 2008.
Prof. who performed the first tissue incompatible kidney transplant in Turkey, the first blood type incompatible kidney transplant, the first kidney-pancreas transplant program and the first cadaveric donor and live donor liver transplant in Antalya. Dr. As of August 2016, Alper Demirbaş has performed 4900 kidney transplants, 500 liver transplants and 95 pancreas transplants.
In addition to being the chairman of 6 national congresses, he has also been an invited speaker at 12 international and 65 national scientific congresses. Dr. Alper Demirbaş was married and the father of 1 girl and 1 boy.
Awards:
Eczacibasi Medical Award of 2002, Akdeniz University Service Award of 2005, Izder Medical Man of the Year Award of 2006, BÖHAK Medical Man of the Year Award of 2007, Sabah Mediterranean Newspaper Scientist of the Year Award of 2007, ANTIKAD Scientist of the Year Award of 2009, Social Ethics Association Award of 2010, Işık University Medical Man of the Year Award of 2015, VTV Antalya's Brand Value Award of 2015.
Certificates:
Doctor of Medicine Degree Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Ankara, General Surgeon Ministry of Health Turkey EKFMG (0-477-343-8), University of Miami School of Medicine Member of Multiple Organ Transplant, ASTS Multiorgan Transplant Scholarship. Lecturer at Kyoto University. Lecturer at University of Essen, Research assistant at the University of Cambridge .
Professional Members:
American Society of Transplant Surgeons, American Transplantation Society Nominated, Middle East and Southern Africa Council Transplantation Society 2007, International Liver Transplantation Association, Turkish Transplantation Association, Turkish Society of Surgery, Turkish Hepatobiliary Surgery Association.
Disclaimer:
Our website contents consist of articles approved by our Web and Medical Editorial Board with the contributions of our physicians. Our contents are prepared only for informational purposes for public benefit. Be sure to consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.