Prevention of HIV infection at school. Psychological aspects of school work on the prevention of HIV-AIDS among students. Scenario of the children's fairy tale "Grasshopper"
As part of the Week for the Prevention of Bad Habits, on December 2, the action “STOP! AIDS!” dedicated to World AIDS Day. The students handed out flyers and red ribbons to once again remind about the problem of HIV infection. Also, in the period from December 1 to 4, students of grades 8-11 took part in the survey "Studying knowledge on HIV / AIDS prevention."
Analysis of the results of the survey showed that students have adequate knowledge on issues related to the prevention of HIV/AIDS. We hope that they will put this knowledge into practice. We invite students of other classes and their parents to answer the questions of the questionnaire, which (as well as the results of the student survey) can be found below
Questionnaire "Studying knowledge on HIV/AIDS prevention"
Gender____ Age____
1. What is HIV infection?
A. An incurable infectious disease.
B. Incurable congenital disease.
B. Incurable skin disease.
D. Incurable blood disease.
- AIDS is:
A. Same as HIV infection.
B. The final stage of the development of HIV infection.
C. Fatal disease, but not HIV infection.
D. Occurs only with the development of other infections in an HIV-infected patient.
- HIV infection occurs when the human immunodeficiency virus enters:
A. In saliva.
B. Into the blood.
B. On the skin.
D. In all the indicated ways.
- AIDS can be contracted:
A. When kissing.
B. If you use one glass, comb, toilet.
B. If you smoke a cigarette together.
D. Only when the virus enters the blood (during sexual contact without a condom, when using an infected syringe, when transfusing infected blood).
- HIV infection is transmitted:
A. Mosquitoes.
B. Pets.
B. Only from person to person.
D. By all the means indicated.
- When seeking medical attention:
A. I always demand that all manipulations be carried out only with sterile or disposable instruments.
B. I don't care, I trust doctors.
Q. Only when I do intravenous injections do I require a disposable syringe.
D. Only when visiting the dentist do I check that the doctor wears gloves.
- If I find out that there is an HIV-positive person among my friends, then I:
A. I will immediately stop all contacts with him, but I will not be examined myself.
B. I will stop communicating with this person, I will definitely be tested for HIV anonymously.
C. I will follow the rules of protection against HIV infection with particular care, I will be examined anonymously, but I will not stop communicating.
G. I don't care.
- If I am diagnosed with HIV during an anonymous test:
A. I will live as before, I will not tell anyone about anything, I will not change anything in my life.
B. I will be treated secretly from everyone, but I will refrain from sexual intercourse without protective equipment, I will not allow my syringes and medical instruments to be used for others, I will never become a donor.
Q. I will be treated secretly from everyone, but I am not obliged to protect others.
D. I will not be treated and will infect others.
- I attend the proposed lectures on the dangers of AIDS because:
A. Teachers require it.
B. I'm just curious to hear, but that doesn't mean I'll follow the recommended protective measures.
Q. I care about my health and try to remember everything.
D. For a different reason.
10. If I am offered to try syringe drugs, then I:
A. I will agree to be my own in the company.
B. I will never agree, because I am afraid of getting AIDS.
Q. I agree, because I do not believe that it is possible to protect oneself from AIDS.
D. For me, this question is not important, since I have already tried syringe drugs.
- I agree with the opinion that:
A. Frequent change of sexual partner increases the risk of contracting HIV infection.
B. Drug addicts become infected when sharing syringes, needles, syringe flushes, infected drugs.
C. Newborn babies can become infected from a sick mother before and during childbirth.
D. Each of these statements is true.
- Exclusion of children with HIV from public life and from school:
A. Justified as it reduces the risk of spreading infection.
B. Justified, as it reduces the risk of contracting colds in HIV-infected people.
Q. I don't care.
D. Wrong, as it is a violation of human rights and does not make any medical sense.
- Together we can eliminate the risk of further spread of HIV/AIDS if:
A. We will intensify educational work among teenagers.
B. Ensure that pregnant women are tested for HIV and reduce the number of infected newborns.
C. We will follow all personal protection rules.
D. All of the above measures will be followed by as many people as possible.
Survey resultsstudents in grades 8-11 (156 students took part)GUO "School №1 Pruzhany named after. KBVO"
| Question | Number of answers for each option | |||
| BUT | B | AT | G | |
| 1. What is HIV infection? | 155 | — | — | 1 |
| 2.AIDS is | 8 | 138 | 2 | 8 |
| 3. HIV disease occurs when the human immunodeficiency virus enters | 1 | 150 | — | 5 |
| 4. AIDS can be contracted | — | — | — | 156 |
| 5.AIDS is portable | — | — | 148 | 8 |
| 6. When seeking medical attention | 142 | 9 | 3 | 2 |
| 7. If I find out that among my friends there is an HIV-positive person, then I | — | 29 | 127 | — |
| 8. If I am diagnosed with HIV during an anonymous test | 5 | 151 | — | — |
| 9. I attend the proposed lectures on the dangers of AIDS because | — | — | 155 | 1 |
| 10. If I am offered to try syringe drugs, then I | — | 156 | — | — |
| 11. I agree with the opinion that | 2 | 3 | 2 | 149 |
| 12. Exclusion of children with HIV from public life and from school | 8 | — | 1 | 147 |
| 13. Together we can eliminate the risk of further spread of HIV/AIDS if | 1 | 1 | 3 | 151 |
Primary prevention of HIV/AIDS
in primary school
for students in grades 2-4
Target: to provide knowledge about HIV/AIDS, ways of HIV transmission, contacts with HIV-infected people according to age;
Develop the skills to take responsibility for your own health.
Tasks: provide objective information about HIV/AIDS;
Teach children how to communicate with HIV-infected people.
Equipment: cards with inscriptions "HIV / AIDS", "HIV", "AIDS"
Lesson progress
Exercise "Brainstorm"
Target : activate attention, activity, perception, learn about experience
children (general knowledge) about HIV/AIDS
Card number 1 is glued in the middle of the board.
Leading : What do you associate this record with? What do you feel?
Children call the words “illness, hospital, virus, grief, sadness, regret, death ...”, the leader writes down the named words in a chaotic manner,
Names his own if the class is silent.
Leading: Well done! I see you know something. And now let's try to decipher this inscription and learn more about the disease, learn how to prevent infection and communicate with people with AIDS.
A story about HIV / AIDS, historical background.
On the board, cards are pasted one under the other with the first letters of the words: HIV, AIDS, which the presenter will decipher during the story.
If the children do not understand the deciphered words, then the leader interprets them.
B - virus C-syndrome
I - immunodeficiencyP-acquired
H is a person. I- immuno
D - deficit
Leading: HIV is the initial stage of infection, and AIDS is the presence of several chronic diseases - the final stage.
This disease was first identified in the United States, when a group of people were hospitalized with pneumonia, they were diagnosed with several chronic diseases.
In the 1970s, a new infectious disease was discovered. In many countries around the world, AIDS has taken on the character of an epidemic. This disease is capable of putting humanity at risk of extinction in 10-20 years.
AIDS is a deadly disease that modern medicine is not yet able to cure. The causative agent of the disease
A specific virus called HIV.
Viruses, getting into the blood, destroy the defenses of the human body, which makes it defenseless against other diseases. Diagnosis, i.e. to find out if a person is sick or not, only a doctor can put it on a blood test.
AIDS is transmitted through the blood, through male and female body secretions, and from a pregnant woman to a child.
A very alarming and dangerous situation is developing in our country. The total number of infected people is 1% of the country's population (that's 400,000 people) and the distance is spreading. This virus can infect anyone. It doesn't matter who you are or where you live.
There is no cure for HIV. The only person who can save you from AIDS is you! Knowledge and careful behavior are the best defense against the spread of this virus.
Fact and Fiction Game
Target: verification of knowledge from the information received.
Leading: Attention! Now we will play a game. I will read you the correct and incorrect sentences. If, in your opinion, the sentences are correct, you clap your hands, if not, do not clap. Attention! started.
Is it possible to determine by the appearance of a person, to determine whether he is sick with AIDS. (-)
Only men can get AIDS.(-)
Children do not get AIDS.(-)
By shaking the hand of a person with AIDS, you will contract the disease.(-)
Nothing can kill the AIDS virus once it enters the body.(+)
You can get AIDS through a notebook in which an HIV-positive person wrote.(-)
A person can get AIDS by donating blood.(+)
You can get AIDS by piercing your ear.(+)
If you are healthy, you cannot get AIDS. (-)
A person who uses drugs can get AIDS. (use syringes)(+)
There are cures for AIDS. (-) (there are medicines that support the patient, but do not cure)
There is a blood test that determines if you are infected with the AIDS virus.(+)
Is AIDS transmitted through pets? (-)
Is AIDS transmitted through dishes and food? (-)
Is it possible to get infected by mosquito bites. (-) (mosquitoes drink your blood and do not live long)
Is it possible to get HIV infection when you are vaccinated, injected. (+)
Is it possible to get infected by hugging an AIDS patient.(-)
Swimming in a pool with an infected person, is it possible to get infected. (-)
If AIDS patients cough, sneeze, is it possible to get AIDS from them. (-) (in the patient's saliva there is a small amount of infection that does not threaten us)
Is it possible to be friends with the infected and not get infected. (+)
Doctor Aibolit's advice
Leading: Well done! And now the advice of Dr. Aibolit, who advises: “To protect yourself from HIV infection, follow these rules:
Follow the rules of personal hygiene.
Never pick up syringes and other medical devices found on the street.
Make sure that medical workers give injections and vaccinations, blood tests only with a disposable syringe.
If, while playing on the street, you accidentally get hurt, treat the wound with hydrogen peroxide, preferably alcohol, anoint with brilliant green. Tell your parents.
Never come into contact with other people's blood.
Game "Finish the sentences"
Target: verification of learned material and attitude towards AIDS patients.
Leading: Attention! Started!
AIDS can be contracted through……..
Infected HIV is determined using …….
What does not exist against HIV……
You can get sick...
AIDS patients should be treated ....
HIV is……, AIDS is…..
Leading: Well done! You did a very good job! Your knowledge will help you protect yourself from the spread of the virus. In high school, you will learn a lot more about AIDS. Wish you luck!
Extra-curricular activity for middle and senior students on the topic: "HIV / AIDS - myth and reality"
Podolskaya Irina Alexandrovna, teacher of the Russian language and literature, KSU secondary school No. 4, Semey, East Kazakhstan region.
Announcement.
Synopsis of extracurricular activities for middle and senior students. The work will be of interest to class teachers for conducting a thematic class hour, exercises on HIV prevention in school conditions. The use of ICT will make the lesson interesting, visual, and, if necessary, get the necessary information instantly. Attention was paid to creating and maintaining a friendly, trusting atmosphere throughout the lesson, the event was held taking into account the age characteristics of students. Prepared material: memos, booklets will give the missing information, form the skills of resistance to peer pressure and safe behavior skills.
Target.
Raising students' awareness of the spread of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the world and Kazakhstan.
Tasks.
1. Emphasize to students that protecting human rights helps prevent the spread of HIV.
2. Give reliable information about the ways of HIV/AIDS transmission.
3. Encourage students to develop the skills to determine the degree of risk for acquiring HIV.
4. Form a responsible attitude towards your own safety and the safety of others, relatives and friends.
Lesson type- Extracurricular activities.
Acquired skills of children: developing skills to work in a group, expanding the vocabulary of students, independent goal-setting, independent search and processing of information, self-assessment, formulation of conclusions.
Work organization: exercise "Point", test "Myth or reality", conversation, reflection.
Equipment: multimedia installation, computer, interactive whiteboard, presentation for the event, magnetic board, camera.
Equipment: posters, memos and booklets; colored paper - A4 format, felt-tip pens, adhesive tape, colored magnets; for reflection: red satin ribbons, red thread (skein or less).
Cabinet layout: book exhibition, newspaper, posters.
Preliminary work:
- collage contest "We are for a healthy lifestyle";
- preparation and design of the book exhibition "Myth and Reality";
- recording songs about a healthy lifestyle;
- material for this event should be formatted in Microsoft Office Word, Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007.
The role of the teacher: advises, directs and coordinates activities in groups; prepares a summary and presentation of the event, diplomas for active participants and winners of the contest "We are for a healthy lifestyle", information about the event, photo report; conducts a line where the results are summed up and rewarding active students.
Event progress
Positive attitude to work. Pupils, passing into the classroom, stand in a large circle near the blackboard.good morning sorry...
This role-playing game shows how fast HIV/AIDS is spreading.
Before the class begins, the teacher invites 3 students to play the role of HIV-positive, but at the same time they must keep the assignment secret. During the game, students should slightly pinch, sneeze, but very gently, offer a piece of candy, etc. Ask 3-4 students to constantly cough or sneeze during this game.
Game progress:
1. Greeting.
2. All students stand in a circle.
3. The teacher invites the students to shake hands, hug, you can send a kiss.
The game time is 2 minutes.
At the end of the allotted time, the teacher asks to go to the middle of 3 students who played the role of infected, and then 3 students who played the role of patients with colds.
Conversation.
- What did the handshake symbolize in our game?
Answer: symbolizes the transmission of HIV infection.
- Do you think HIV/AIDS is transmitted through a handshake?
Answer: The infection is not transmitted through a handshake.
- Is there a risk of getting infected when sneezing, kissing, or if we were scratched by an HIV-infected person?
Answer: it is almost impossible, since infection occurs through the blood, that is, blood must get into the wound.
- Is it possible to distinguish an HIV-infected person from a cold-sick person?
Answer: No, it's impossible to tell from the outside.
Teacher. Thank you all, take your jobs.
Thanks to our (calling by the names of the students), who agreed to play such a difficult role. Of course, you must understand that the distribution of roles was conditional, symbolic and lost its meaning with the end of the game.
- They also say that you can get infected with a kiss, but if during a kiss you swallow a kilogram of infected saliva ... ( The reactions of the kids are always amazing.)
Teacher.
- What do you think the handshake meant in our game?
Answer: in our game, shaking hands meant HIV transmission.
Teacher.
- Is it possible to get HIV / AIDS by shaking hands?
The responses of the students were amazing. 90% of the students answered "Yes".
Teacher.
- Although, everyone knows that the infection is not transmitted through a handshake, the infection occurs along the chain very quickly, but most often the infection occurs through the blood. How quickly you can get infected, you clearly saw this during the game.
I invite you to read the memo.
Facts and figures
The source for most of the figures is the UNAIDS Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic, published in 2006.
Teacher.
- Every minute 11 HIV-infected people are added in the world,
- 5 people die from AIDS,
- 15.2 million children have lost their mother or both parents to AIDS,
- children under 15 years of age account for one sixth of all AIDS deaths in the world,
- economic losses by 2020 will amount to more than 20% of GDP in the countries most affected by AIDS.
Exercise "Point"
Work in small groups. The teacher suggests choosing colored magnets: red, blue, green, yellow.
Once the students have chosen their magnet colors, the students are grouped by color. They take their jobs. On the tables, everything is prepared in advance for joint work: a sheet of paper and markers, adhesive tape and scissors.
Exercise. Discuss the questions and prepare your answers-justifications.
1. Where does trouble come from.
2. How can HIV/AIDS infection affect the life of an individual person, a family of the whole society?
Preparation time - 10 minutes.
Students work in groups. The results of the discussion are recorded or students create a poster, a cluster. Each group decides on its own how to defend its answer.
Teacher is watching. Controls time. You can turn on the timer.
Since I have not yet used the timer at events, this will be interesting for them, and will allow them to focus on solving a common task, to become more organized.
Each group, at the end of the time, presents the results of its work, for this, during the work, it selects one speaker. The groups present the results of their groups one by one: “red table”, “blue table”, “green table”, “yellow table”.
Groups hang their work on a magnetic board using magnets of the color they have chosen. This will allow the teacher to sum up the results after the lesson, thoughtfully analyze how the groups worked, draw conclusions, outline / correct further ways of educational work.
Then, when the papers are posted, the speakers voice the answers prepared by the group, the group members can supplement or answer questions that might have arisen during the discussion.
Conclusions and generalizations. Results of the exercise.
Exercise-game "Colored stripes"
Target: fostering a humane attitude towards HIV-infected people.A task: to understand what a person may feel in case of HIV infection.
Red, green stripes are attached to the forehead with the consent of the students, and a yellow strip is attached to one student.
Those who do not wish to take part in this game will become observers of the task and will take part in the discussion of the game. There were no such students in my class, everyone was interested.
The teacher needs to think about which student he will attach the yellow stripe to, as he will be an "isolated student", and this should not affect his emotional state after the game.
After the game, the teacher should specifically highlight/thank this student and explain to all students that he was chosen at random.
Game objectives:
- all actions you perform silently,
- you must form groups according to the color you have become a carrier,
- you can help other students find their group, but be sure to perform all actions silently, you can use signs, gestures.
The time to complete the task is 2-3 minutes.
Conversation after the game:
Questions for all students:
- How did you find your group?
- How did your group feel about the student with the yellow stripe?
- Why did none of you offer to stay in the group?
- Would you like to have a different member of the group like everyone else in your group?
Questions for a student with a yellow stripe:
- What did you feel when no one wanted to take you into the group?
Answer: I did not understand why they show me that I am not in their group.
- What did you feel every time your friends said “no” to you?
Answer: I felt offended, everyone laughed, rejoiced, my mood began to deteriorate, I felt offended.
- Which group refused you in a more tactful manner?
Answer: it’s hard to say, no one refused in a rude manner, but didn’t explain anything either, everyone pointed to the forehead, but for the first time I didn’t guess that it was because of the different color of the strip.
What group would you like to be a member of?
Answer: where R.
Questions for the whole class:
- How often do you feel anxiety?
Answer: often.
- Can such a situation arise in relation to HIV-infected people?
Answer: yes, a lot has been written about this, told in various programs.
Teacher. One participant in the exercise turned out to be "not like everyone else." This situation can be applied to HIV-infected people.
- And if “such a” student entered our class, how would you behave?
Student responses.
Only one student said that he would not shake hands with him.
Conclusion quote:
Observations made during this exercise.
The student (I do not specifically indicate the name in this material) surprised me a little. This is a sympathetic, kind, with a healthy sense of humor student. I noticed that while preparing for this event, he studied many popular articles, asked questions, received advice from the attending physician, and together with his mother took part in making a collage. All this is good, but it caught my attention. Task: observe the student, try to figure out why he was so interested in this issue, what worries him so much.
Test "Myth or reality"
Students must quickly answer the following questions: Not really justify your answer.
If necessary, the teacher explains the answers. Don't rush into student responses. We should not play games, we should teach children to appreciate their lives, the lives of loved ones, all those who surround us.
Feedback. Summarizing.
- What new things did you learn by answering the questions and doing the exercise?
- Will the acquired knowledge be useful for you?
- What questions do you have on this topic?
If there are questions, the teacher explains, informs, clarifies. If the questions require more accurate information, then equipment is installed in the classroom and the teacher / students can get the necessary information without leaving the classroom, going online.
- Guys, you studied this topic on your own, using the materials of booklets, formulate conclusions in your notes.
If desired, the student can justify the chosen statement, the quoted material.
Conclusions:
Teacher.
Today we had a serious and very important conversation. I hope that the information received will help you think about the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
Reflection
Guys, today we learned that infection occurs through the blood, and I invite you, passing on a red thread that looks like blood flowing through our veins, to tell everyone what this event gave us, what we learned new.
Students, taking the thread in their hands, share their knowledge, questions, impressions.
Teacher. Thank you all for your work. I hope that, having acquired knowledge, we will be less worried for our lives and the lives of people close to us without obvious reasons. Now we know exactly where trouble can come from. Remember that only decency, moral purity and a conscious attitude to your health will protect you / us from AIDS.
Remember! AIDS - do not sleep! I invite you to get acquainted with the works that were prepared during the preparation for our event.
The role of the teacher:
- awards diplomas of 1,2,3 degrees for prepared collages;
- distributes to all participants booklets and memos “We are for a healthy lifestyle”, “How infection occurs”;
- conducts briefing on the preliminary task for the next lesson "We are against drugs";
- invites, united in groups, to write a memo for middle and senior students “What can you do to fight AIDS / drugs”, distributes a sample memo.
Students exchange first impressions, take pictures.
Literature
1. Almukhambetov B.A., Ischanova M.A., Dorozhkina L.A. et al. HIV/AIDS and education. Information collection for specialists of educational management organizations. Almaty, 2004. - 61s.
2. Dorozhkina L.A., Demeuova M.E., Baisugurova V.Yu. et al. Guidelines for teachers on HIV/AIDS prevention in school settings. - Almaty, 2004. - 108s.
3. Dorozhkina L.A., Baisugurova V.Yu., Bekbatyrova G.T. Plotnikova M.M. A guide to HIV prevention for teachers in teacher training colleges. Kazakhstan Association for Sexual and Reproductive Health, Almaty. - 2004. - 108s.
4. Ischanova M.A., Dorozhkina L.A., Plotnikova M.M. HIV Prevention Information Compendium for School Leaders and Teachers. - Almaty. 2007. - 72p.
5. Plotnikova M.M., Ryazanova G.L., Kalinich N.F. A Guide for Educators on AIDS and its Prevention (Using Interactive Teaching Methods in Schools). For the education of adolescents aged 11-18 years of general education and vocational technical schools. - Almaty. Kazakhstan Association for Sexual and Reproductive Health (KMPA), 2002. - 96p. Oral journal script for grades 7-9
only
DATA
HIV infection is a reality in Russia today.
MORE THAN 40 MILLION PEOPLE ARE INFECTED WITH HIV IN THE WORLD; AND 70% OF ALL HIV-INFECTED ARE YOUNG PEOPLE UNDER THE AGE OF 25; AND THREE MILLION ARE THE CHILDREN OF 15 YEARS.
______________
At 13, 15, 17 years old, it's hard to believe that you could be threatened with a fatal disease. It often seems that only old people get sick and die. But with AIDS, things are different. AIDS is the most serious disease that your peers all over the world have to face today. Therefore, it is very important to know how to avoid infection. Having received the necessary knowledge, you will be able to protect yourself from many serious problems now and in the future.
AIDS AND HIV
AIDS - ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME. A syndrome is a set of specific manifestations of a disease - symptoms.
AIDS develops in people who are infected HIV - infection, and is the final stage of this disease.
HIV - virus human immunodeficiency, it affects different cells of the human body, primarily the immune system.
People infected with HIV are called "HIV-infected". From the moment of infection with HIV to the development of AIDS, it can take from 5 to 15 years. As long as HIV infection has not progressed to AIDS, an infected person may feel good, look healthy, and not even suspect that they are infected. Only a doctor, using a special blood test, can determine that a person is infected with HIV.
The disease is caused by the T virus - lymphocytes of the human immune system, enters a healthy cell and is introduced into its gene structure. A person who has this virus loses the ability to fight any infections. You can kill the virus by heating the circulatory system to + 56 ° C for 50 minutes. Since no one can withstand this procedure, we can say that it is impossible to cure this disease.
HOW IT HAPPENS INFECTION HIV? |
________________________________________
HIV infection spreads:
- When infected blood enters the bloodstream and on damaged integuments and mucous membranes of a healthy person:
- through contaminated syringes, needles and other instruments;
- when piercing the ears, piercing, tattooing;
- during the rite of fraternization, fights;
- through a blood-stained razor blade, manicure accessories;
- through someone else's toothbrushes;
- during blood transfusion;
- when any biological fluid from an HIV-infected person gets on the skin and mucous membranes in the presence of microtraumas on them.
- With unprotected sex
- From an infected mother to her child during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding.
Anyone who leads a normal sex life, observes elementary rules of personal hygiene, and does not use alcohol and drugs can protect themselves from AIDS.
__________________________________________
- fever of unknown etiology for more than 1 month (~38°C);
- general weakness;
- headache;
- increased fatigue;
- prolonged diarrhea (more than 1-2 months);
- night sweat;
- anemia;
- unexplained weight loss of 10% or more;
- pneumonia resistant to standard therapy;
- prolonged, recurring or refractory pneumonia;
- bronchial and pulmonary candidiasis;
- persistent cough for more than 1 month;
- an increase in lymph nodes of 2 or more groups for more than 1 month;
- dementia in previously healthy people;
- brain lymphoma;
- brain abscesses (progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, cryptococcal meningitis, subacute encephalitis, possibly cytomegalovirus etiology.);
- focal lesions of the meninges, characterized by self-limiting meningitis.
- damage to the vessels of the brain (cerebral hemorrhage) and heart (non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis);
- and other more severe illnesses.
__________________________________________
It is impossible to say for sure that this disease will proceed in this way for everyone, but for the majority of those observed, everything was exactly like this ...
- The incubation period of this disease can last from several months to several years.
- Approximately 2-3 weeks after infection, 76% of those infected may experience short-term illnesses (2-10 days): fever, tonsillitis, swollen lymph nodes, liver, spleen.
- By the end of 4 weeks, antibodies to HIV.
- Final stage. AIDS develops on average 8 years after infection. An organism with a weakened immune system cannot provide protection against fungi, bacteria, viruses that cause various diseases.
- The average life expectancy of an infected person is about 12 years.
1.Why can HIV only live in the human body?
HIV refers to infections that live only in the human body. Due to its simple structure and small set of components, it cannot adapt to life in such different organisms as, for example, humans and insects. HIV cannot be outside the human body. Once in the air, he, like a jellyfish, loses the ability to move and almost instantly collapses. To be more precise, the virus is generally not able to move independently. The only place where this virus feels good and has the ability to move is in the fluids of the human body.
2. How is HIV transmitted?
Already in 1981, almost immediately after the discovery of a new disease, doctors suspected that it was transmitted through sexual contact and through blood. Insects do not participate in the spread of HIV.
Body fluids through which HIV can be transmitted:
blood;
sperm;
vaginal and cervical secrets;
mother's milk.
3. How can infection occur?
This can happen in the following situations:
sexual contact;
transfusion of whole blood or its components that have not undergone certain processing;
the use of non-sterile surgical and injection instruments, needles for the introduction of any (including narcotic) drugs, ear piercing, tattooing, gastro - and colonoscopes, other instruments and equipment, the use of which may damage the skin or mucous membranes;
if the placental barrier is damaged during the carrying of a child by an HIV-infected woman: the placental barrier reliably protects the fetus from various infections that may be in the mother's body, but if it is damaged, then viruses and bacteria freely enter the fetus;
if the skin or mucous membrane of the newborn is damaged during the passage of the birth canal: in this case, blood and vaginal secretions, which are present in large volumes in the birth canal, can enter the body of the newborn.
Virus - it is the simplest form of life. Among viruses, there are two large groups. The first group of viruses is capable of reproducing on its own. Since it has a genetic memory in the form of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). Such viruses only need to find a source of the necessary material, which they convert into new viruses. They usually find this material in human cells, destroying them.
replacement of spent, aged cells of various organs of our body;
protection of the body from the penetration of various kinds of infections - viruses, bacteria, fungi;
“repair” of parts of our body spoiled by infections and other negative influences (radiation, poisoning with poisons, mechanical damage, etc.), namely: healing of wounds on the skin and mucous membranes, restoration of liver cells damaged by viruses and fungi, and so on.
Speaking of viruses and other infections, it should be noted that it is impossible to feel whether an infection has occurred. At the time of penetration of the virus, a person does not experience any unusual sensations. HIV infection is a long-term illness. From the moment of infection to the moment of death, it can take from 2-3 to 10-15 years. In each individual case, many factors influence the life expectancy of an infected person with HIV. The entire course of the disease - from the moment of infection to the moment of death - can be divided into 3 periods:
infection and the beginning of the infectious process (the process of disease development);
period of asymptomatic course and minor symptoms;
AIDS.
AIDS is an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Immunodeficiency is the loss of the body's ability to resist favorite infections and restore violations of its organs. With AIDS, the immune system is severely damaged.
8. How does a person with AIDS feel?
Constantly feeling unwell;
High probability of physical deformity due to emaciation and damage to the skin by infections;
High probability of visual impairment and brain activity;
Complete or partial loss of the ability to self-sufficiency (need for care).
In rare cases, the asymptomatic period can last 15 years or more. The prognosis for the development of such AIDS-infected individuals is not yet certain.