Q: Dear Charlene I teach Grade 11 and 12 children and our school has decided to start an Aids programme. But we need a brief explanation of Aids, what to do to prevent it, and how to live with it. Could you help us?
– Q Karim, Durban
A: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Aids) is a disease caused by a virus known as Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV). It was first detected in 1981 among homosexual men. It was named in 1986. The earliest symptoms are ‘flu, swollen glands or diarrhoea within a few days or weeks of infection. However, the virus can only be detected in the blood within six to 12 weeks after infection, or in a small percentage of cases may remain hidden in the body for up to a year before being detectable by an HIV test. There is no cure for HIV or Aids. However, anti-retroviral drugs like AZT control the spread of the virus in those with full-blown Aids and extend life expectancy. They minimise transmission between mothers and babies – especially if the mother does not breastfeed. Anti-retroviral’s can also stop transmission of the virus after high-risk sexual exposures such as rape. Life-saving facts Always use a condom. Go for an HIV-test once a year. Do not share razors or toothbrushes. Demand that doctors or nurses use a clean injection needle – watch them take it out of the packet. Make sure that tattoo or acupuncture needles are sterilised and clean. Avoid touching blood unless you are wearing rubber surgical gloves. Wash your hands afterwards. You can’t get HIV through French kissing. But don’t kiss anyone with sores on or in their mouth or allow them to perform oral sex. If you are HIV+ Exercise moderately and cut down on stress. Eat carefully and make sure you have plenty of protein – eggs, meat, peanut butter, soy beans – and fresh vegetables and garlic in your diet. Eat high-energy foods like pasta, mealie meal, rice, potatoes and bread. Take vitamins A, B, C and selenium. Avoid drinking, taking drugs or smoking.
Q: My dentist said that the mouth is one of the first places HIV infection can be detected. Is this correct? I’ve had problems with my gums and he said I might be immune deficient.
– G Brown, Cape Town
A: Your dentist is correct. One of the ways of avoiding HIV infection is to never share a toothbrush, because the damp environment of the brush allows the virus to live longer than it normally does outside the body. Whether HIV infected or not, rinse your mouth each day with a simple salt-water wash, or a mouth wash with a drop of hydrogen peroxide (about 10ml in 20ml water), or even soda water. Oral signs of HIV infection include bleeding, sore gums or bad breath.