Some Questions Answered

I am pleased to say that due to the module two assignment, I now have a much better understanding of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Yes, there are still many questions that I have, which I will try to research for my Did You Know segment. Although my knowledge of HIV has increased considerably, I still feel that I don't know enough about the repercussions of contracting the disease. Not so much in the sense of what happens to the host, but rather what the person has to go through, the repression treatment, the counseling, and the feeling of being at risk. I can't imagine the thoughts of the family, and the feelings that they must cope with.

The question of the week is what sparked the motivation for this weeks blog post. Hinting to the idea that HIV doesn't only have an effect on the host, but also those that he or she impacts. That is one issue that continues to strike my heart with a serrated blade, the number of children left orphaned by the unconquerable virus that has claimed so many lives world wide. We as a people need to start taking responsibility in our actions, for the consequences may not only be our own. To condone in such behavior that could possibly be the first wrong turn on a dead end road is just so mind blowing to me, why would anyone want to take such a risk. The two main behaviors that I can't quite seem to find logical reasoning for, include unprotected sex, and needle sharing. Why take a chance with the most precious gift given to man, life.

These taboo actions lead me to my next "Did You Know..." segment. Now that we all know what HIV is and that its primary objective is to infect, replicate, and destroy T-cells, I think its time to examine how exactly someone can become infected with HIV. Now there are many myths and truths to the transmission of HIV, time to sort them out. Just this week in one of my classmates QOTW, she asks if HIV can be transmitted by urine on the floor of a bathroom, through cuts on the bottom of her feet. This mode of transmission has hence been disproved, meaning that you cannot contract HIV via urine. Urine along with many other body fluids cannot deliver a sufficient amount of HIV to be considered contagious. Some of the other fluids that cannot transmit HIV include, tears, sweat, feces, urine, and vomit. The HIV concentration in these fluids has been found to be very low or non-existent, making them safe to come into contact with when it comes to HIV. There is one more fluid that may contain the HIV virus that one may wish to be wary of, this fluid is saliva. Although saliva is not considered to be infectious there is one exception that we should know. Saliva that contains traces of blood would put you at risk for an infection of HIV, cuts in the mouth could allow the virus access to the blood stream opening the door for infection. (HIV)

Now that we got the non-infectious fluids out of the way, what fluids are considered to infectious? I would expect most people to know the answer to this question, but after talking with my family for the QOTW I realized that some people just don't know. HIV is 100% transmittable via blood, semen, vaginal fluid, and even breast milk (if in large enough amounts). This is why it is very important to practice safe sex and never share needles, a concept that I think is very easy to understand and reasonable to follow. (HIV)

Another week has come and gone, and I feel as if we have only scratched the surface when it comes to fully understanding the effects of HIV on not only ourselves, but also the effects on others close to us.

HIV transmission. (2008). Retrieved September 23, 2009. From http://www.mnaidsproject.org/learn/transmission.htm