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Tonsillitis - Know The Causes & Symptoms Of It!

Dr. Vivek Kumar Pathak 90% (257 ratings)
MS-ENT, MBBS
ENT Specialist, Noida
Tonsillitis - Know The Causes & Symptoms Of It!

Tonsillitis is a disorder of the tonsils present on the back of your throat. The tonsils acts as a defensive mechanism in the body as they prevent the body from infections. This is a contagious condition and can occur at any age. It is widely prevalent among school going kids.

Tonsillitis may be classified into two types:

  1. Chronic tonsillitis: This type of tonsillitis tends to last for an extended duration with symptoms of bad breath and tenderness in the lymph nodes.
  2. Recurrent tonsillitis: This is a form of acute tonsillitis which repeats itself over a year.

Causes: Tonsils prevent various virus and bacteria from entering the body through the mouth by producing antibodies. The tonsils, however, may become vulnerable to these infections. A virus that causes common cold or the bacteria that causes strep throat may result in tonsillitis. The most common cause of this disorder is the strep bacteria. School going children are especially vulnerable to this disorder because they are most prone to various infections.

The various viruses that may cause tonsillitis are:

  1. Enterovirus
  2. Herpes simplex virus
  3. Epstein-Barr virus
  4. Influenza virus
  5. Adenovirus
  6. Parainfluenza virus

Common symptoms: 

The various symptoms of tonsillitis are

  1. Swallowing difficulties
  2. sore throat
  3. The sore throat may result in bad breath
  4. You may experience fever and chills
  5. Pain in the head, ear and stomach
  6. You may experience stiffness in the neck and the jaw
  7. Swollen tonsils with possible redness
  8. Changes in voice
  9. Symptoms of cold

Treatment: The treatment for tonsillitis is usually antibiotics and in some cases, tonsillectomy. The antibiotics help in getting rid of the bacterial infectionSurgeryis only done in cases where tonsillitis is chronic in nature. It is important that you drink fluids and restrict smoking to prevent tonsillitis.

3437 people found this helpful

Tonsillitis - Symptoms & Causes Of It!

MBBS, MS - ENT
ENT Specialist, Ghaziabad
Tonsillitis - Symptoms & Causes Of It!

363177Tonsillitis is a disorder of the tonsils present on the back of your throat. The tonsils acts as a defensive mechanism in the body as they prevent the body from infections. This is a contagious condition and can occur at any age. It is widely prevalent among school going kids.

Tonsillitis may be classified in to two types:

1. Chronic tonsillitis

This type of tonsillitis tends to last for an extended duration with symptoms of bad breath and tenderness in the lymph nodes.

2. Recurrent tonsillitis

This is a form of acute tonsillitis which repeats itself over a year.

Causes

Tonsils prevent various virus and bacteria from entering the body through the mouth by producing antibodies. The tonsils, however, may become vulnerable to these infections. A virus that causes common cold or the bacteria that causes strep throat may result in tonsillitis. The most common cause of this disorder is the strep bacteria.

School going children are especially vulnerable to this disorder because they are most prone to various infections.

The various viruses that may cause tonsillitis are:

1. Enterovirus
2. Herpes simplex virus
3. Epstein-Barr virus
4. Influenza virus
5. Adenovirus
6. Parainfluenza virus

The various symptoms of tonsillitis are:

1. Swallowing difficulties - You may experience difficulties in swallowing food due to the inflammation in the tonsils.
2. A sore throat
3. The sore throat may result in bad breath
4. You may experience fever and chills
5. Pain in the head, ear and stomach
6. You may experience stiffness in the neck and the jaw
7. Swollen tonsils with possible redness
8. Changes in voice
9. Symptoms of cold

Treatment

The treatment for tonsillitis is usually antibiotics and in some cases, tonsillectomy. The antibiotics help in getting rid of the bacterial infection. Surgery is only done in cases where tonsillitis is chronic in nature. It is important that you drink fluids and restrict smoking to prevent tonsillitis.

2670 people found this helpful

Tonsillitis - Causes & Symptoms Of It!

Dr. Lokesh Bhama 91% (3337 ratings)
Master of Surgery, Post Graduate Diploma In ENT, MBBS
ENT Specialist, Thane
Tonsillitis - Causes & Symptoms Of It!

Tonsillitis is a disorder of the tonsils present on the back of your throat. The tonsils acts as a defensive mechanism in the body as they prevent the body from infections. This is a contagious condition and can occur at any age. It is widely prevalent among school going kids.

Tonsillitis may be classified into two types:

  1. Chronic tonsillitis: This type of tonsillitis tends to last for an extended duration with symptoms of bad breath and tenderness in the lymph nodes.
  2. Recurrent tonsillitis: This is a form of acute tonsillitis which repeats itself over a year.

Causes: Tonsils prevent various virus and bacteria from entering the body through the mouth by producing antibodies. The tonsils, however, may become vulnerable to these infections. A virus that causes common cold or the bacteria that causes strep throat may result in tonsillitis. The most common cause of this disorder is the strep bacteria. School going children are especially vulnerable to this disorder because they are most prone to various infections.

The various viruses that may cause tonsillitis are:

  1. Enterovirus
  2. Herpes simplex virus
  3. Epstein-Barr virus
  4. Influenza virus
  5. Adenovirus
  6. Parainfluenza virus

Common symptoms: 
The various symptoms of tonsillitis are

  1. Swallowing difficulties
  2. sore throat
  3. The sore throat may result in bad breath
  4. You may experience fever and chills
  5. Pain in the head, ear and stomach
  6. You may experience stiffness in the neck and the jaw
  7. Swollen tonsils with possible redness
  8. Changes in voice
  9. Symptoms of cold

Treatment: The treatment for tonsillitis is usually antibiotics and in some cases, tonsillectomy. The antibiotics help in getting rid of the bacterial infection. Surgeryis only done in cases where tonsillitis is chronic in nature. It is important that you drink fluids and restrict smoking to prevent tonsillitis.

3017 people found this helpful

Tonsillitis - Causes & Symptoms Of It!

MBBS, MS - ENT
ENT Specialist, Ghaziabad
Tonsillitis - Causes & Symptoms Of It!

Tonsillitis is a disorder of the tonsils present on the back of your throat. The tonsils acts as a defensive mechanism in the body as they prevent the body from infections. This is a contagious condition and can occur at any age. It is widely prevalent among school going kids.

Tonsillitis may be classified in to two types :

1. Chronic tonsillitis

This type of tonsillitis tends to last for an extended duration with symptoms of bad breath and tenderness in the lymph nodes.

2. Recurrent tonsillitis

This is a form of acute tonsillitis which repeats itself over a year.

Causes

Tonsils prevent various virus and bacteria from entering the body through the mouth by producing antibodies. The tonsils, however, may become vulnerable to these infections. A virus that causes common cold or the bacteria that causes strep throat may result in tonsillitis. The most common cause of this disorder is the strep bacteria.

School going children are especially vulnerable to this disorder because they are most prone to various infections.

The various viruses that may cause tonsillitis are:

1. Enterovirus
2. Herpes simplex virus
3. Epstein-Barr virus
4. Influenza virus
5. Adenovirus
6. Parainfluenza virus

Common Symptoms

1. Swallowing difficulties - You may experience difficulties in swallowing food due to the inflammation in the tonsils.
2. A sore throat
3. The sore throat may result in bad breath
4. You may experience fever and chills
5. Pain in the head, ear and stomach
6. You may experience stiffness in the neck and the jaw
7. Swollen tonsils with possible redness
8. Changes in voice
9. Symptoms of cold

Treatment

The treatment for tonsillitis is usually antibiotics and in some cases, tonsillectomy. The antibiotics help in getting rid of the bacterial infection. Surgery is only done in cases where tonsillitis is chronic in nature. It is important that you drink fluids and restrict smoking to prevent tonsillitis.

2363 people found this helpful

HIV/AIDS - How Is It Transmitted?

MBBS
General Physician, Udaipur
HIV/AIDS - How Is It Transmitted?

No matter how much information there is available about AIDS and HIV, the thought of it makes a person shudder. The Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV is the virus responsible for AIDS or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. This virus attacks the immune system and over time leaves the body defenseless against other infections and types of cancer. Till date, there is no cure for HIV or AIDS.

However, what we do not know is how the disease can be transmitted from one person to another. Knowing this enables us to control the transmission of the disease...

Unlike other viruses, HIV cannot be transmitted through air, water etc. This virus can only be transmitted through:

Blood -

Receiving blood transfusions from an HIV positive person is sure to put you at risk of suffering from the disease as well. For this reason, it is essential to only take blood from registered blood banks that run HIV screening tests. This holds true for organ and tissue transplants as well. Being stuck with an HIV infected needle can also put you at risk of coming in contact the virus. In some cases, direct contact between broken skin, wounds and mucus membranes can also lead to the transferring of HIV cells from one person to another.

HIV does not spread through saliva, however, if while kissing, both partners suffer from bleeding gums and one partner is HIV positive, there is a risk of the transference of HIV from one person to the other.

Bodily fluids such as semen and vaginal fluids -

The only way to prevent the transmission of the HIV virus from one partner to another while having intercourse is by using a condom. This creates a barrier between the bodily fluids of both partners and keeps them safe. A condom is needed even if the couple is engaging in anal sex.

In fact when comparing anal and vaginal intercourse; anal sex puts HIV negative partners at a higher risk of getting in contact the virus than vaginal sex. Theoretically, this virus can be transmitted even through oral sex is a HIV positive man ejaculates into the woman's mouth. However, this is a rare occurrence.

From a mother to an unborn child -

A HIV positive mother can transmit the virus to her child when pregnant, at birth or while breastfeeding. However, if the mother follows HIV treatment, the chances of her passing on this virus to her child are significantly lowered.

The above are the only three ways HIV can be transferred from one person to another. HIV cannot be transmitted by sharing utensils, drinking the same water, through mosquito bites or by shaking hands etc. Thus, there is no reason to ostracize an HIV infected person. 

3419 people found this helpful

HIV/AIDS - How Does It Get Transmitted?

Dr. Hemant Kumar 95% (243 ratings)
MD, Diploma in Family Medicine, MBBS
HIV Specialist, Ghaziabad
HIV/AIDS - How Does It Get Transmitted?

No matter how much information is available about AIDS and HIV, the thought of it makes a person shudder. The Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV is the virus responsible for AIDS or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. This virus attacks the immune system and over time leaves the body defenceless against other infections and types of cancer.

Till date, there is no cure for HIV or AIDS. However, what we do know is how the disease can be transmitted from one person to another. Knowing this enables us to control the transmission of the disease. 

Unlike other viruses, HIV cannot be transmitted through air, water etc. This virus can only be transmitted through:

  1. Blood: Receiving blood transfusions from an HIV positive person is sure to put you at risk of suffering from the disease as well. For this reason, it is essential to only take blood from registered blood banks that run HIV screening tests. This holds true for organ and tissue transplants as well. Being stuck with an HIV infected needle can also put you at risk of coming in contact the virus. In some cases, direct contact between broken skin, wounds and mucous membranes can also lead to the transferring of HIV cells from one person to another. HIV does not spread through saliva, however, if while kissing, both partners suffer from bleeding gums and one partner is HIV positive, there is a risk of the transference of HIV from one person to the other.
  2. Bodily fluids such as semen and vaginal fluids: The only way to prevent the transmission of the HIV virus from one partner to another while having intercourse is by using a condom. This creates a barrier between the bodily fluids of both partners and keeps them safe. A condom is needed even if the couple is engaging in anal sex. In fact when comparing anal and vaginal intercourse; anal sex puts HIV negative partners at a higher risk of getting in contact the virus than vaginal sex. Theoretically, this virus can be transmitted even through oral sex is a HIV positive man ejaculates into the woman's mouth. However, this is a rare occurrence.
  3. From a mother to an unborn child: A HIV positive mother can transmit the virus to her child when pregnant, at birth or while breastfeeding. However, if the mother follows HIV treatment, the chances of her passing on this virus to her child are significantly lowered.

The above are the only three ways HIV can be transferred from one person to another. HIV cannot be transmitted by sharing utensils, drinking the same water, through mosquito bites or by shaking hands etc. Thus, there is no reason to ostracize an HIV infected person.

2043 people found this helpful

HIV/AIDS - How It Is Transmitted?

Dr. Ajay Kumar Pujala 90% (145 ratings)
FHM Fellowship In HIV Medicine, MD, MBBS
HIV Specialist, Hyderabad
HIV/AIDS - How It Is Transmitted?

No matter how much information there is available about AIDS and HIV, the thought of it makes a person shudder. The Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV is the virus responsible for AIDS or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. This virus attacks the immune system and over time leaves the body defenseless against other infections and types of cancer. Till date, there is no cure for HIV or AIDS. However, what we do know is how the disease can be transmitted from one person to another. Knowing this enables us to control the transmission of the disease. 

Unlike other viruses, HIV cannot be transmitted through air, water etc. This virus can only be transmitted through:

  1. Blood: Receiving blood transfusions from an HIV positive person is sure to put you at risk of suffering from the disease as well. For this reason, it is essential to only take blood from registered blood banks that run HIV screening tests. This holds true for organ and tissue transplants as well. Being stuck with an HIV infected needle can also put you at risk of coming in contact the virus. In some cases, direct contact between broken skin, wounds and mucous membranes can also lead to the transferring of HIV cells from one person to another. HIV does not spread through saliva, however, if while kissing, both partners suffer from bleeding gums and one partner is HIV positive, there is a risk of the transference of HIV from one person to the other.
  2. Bodily fluids such as semen and vaginal fluids: The only way to prevent the transmission of the HIV virus from one partner to another while having intercourse is by using a condom. This creates a barrier between the bodily fluids of both partners and keeps them safe. A condom is needed even if the couple is engaging in anal sex. In fact when comparing anal and vaginal intercourse; anal sex puts HIV negative partners at a higher risk of getting in contact the virus than vaginal sex. Theoretically, this virus can be transmitted even through oral sex is a HIV positive man ejaculates into the woman's mouth. However, this is a rare occurrence.
  3. From a mother to an unborn child: A HIV positive mother can transmit the virus to her child when pregnant, at birth or while breastfeeding. However, if the mother follows HIV treatment, the chances of her passing on this virus to her child are significantly lowered.

The above are the only three ways HIV can be transferred from one person to another. HIV cannot be transmitted by sharing utensils, drinking the same water, through mosquito bites or by shaking hands etc. Thus, there is no reason to ostracize an HIV infected person.

4638 people found this helpful

प्रोस्टेट कैंसर के लक्षण - Symptoms Of Prostate Cancer!

Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Singh 92% (194 ratings)
Bachelor of Ayurveda, Medicine and Surgery (BAMS)
Ayurvedic Doctor, Lakhimpur Kheri
प्रोस्टेट कैंसर के लक्षण - Symptoms Of Prostate Cancer!

कैंसरों में एक कैंसर प्रोस्टेट कैंसर नाम का भी है. कैंसर जानलेवा बिमारियों में से एक है. इसके कई प्रकारों में से एक प्रोस्टेट कैंसर भी है. ये पुरुषों की पौरुष ग्रंथि में होने वाला एक कैंसर है. आपको बता दें कि पौरुष ग्रंथि, वीर्य उत्पादित करने वाली एक छोटी अखरोट के आकार की ग्रंथि है जिससे शुक्राणु ट्रांसपोर्ट होते हैं. प्रोस्टेट कैंसर पुरुषों में होने वाला सबसे आम कैंसर है. हलांकि ये आम तौर पर धीरे धीरे बढ़ता और शुरुआत में सिर्फ पौरुष ग्रंथि तक ही सीमित रहता है. यहाँ तक तो ये कोई गंभीर नुकसान नहीं पहुंचाता है. लेकिन किसी भी बिमारी का अनिदान शुरुवात में ही कर देना ठीक रहता है इसलिए प्रोस्टेट कैंसर का भी निदान शुरुआत में ही हो जाये तो (जब वो पौरुष ग्रंथि तक ही सीमित होता है) उपचार के सफलता की सम्भावना ज्यादा होती है. ये आवश्यक नहीं है कि पौरुष ग्रंथि में आई अनियमितता प्रोस्टेट कैंसर ही हो. इसलिए ये बेहद आवश्यक है कि इसका पता इसके शुरुवात में ही लगाया जाए. इसके लिए इसके शुरुवाती संकेतों को समझना आवश्यक है. तो आइए इस लेख के माध्यम से हमलोग प्रोस्टेट कैंसर के लक्षणों पर एक नजर डालें.

प्रोस्टेट कैंसर के लक्षण
अलग अलग लोगों में कैंसर के अलग अलग लक्षण पाए जाते हैं. कुछ पुरुषों में कोई भी लक्षण नहीं मिलते. प्रोस्टेट कैंसर के कुछ लक्षण निम्न हैं:

1. मूत्रत्याग शुरू करने में परेशानी.

2. मूत्र का प्रवाह बाधित होना बार बार पेशाब आना.

3. खासकर रात में मूत्राशय को पूरी तरह से खाली करने में कठिनाई मूत्रत्याग करने में दर्द या जलन महसूस होना मूत्र या वीर्य में खून आना.

4. पीठ, कूल्हों या श्रोणि में दर्द जो ठीक न हो.

5. स्खलन में दर्द.
इनमें से कोई भी लक्षण दिखे तो बिना किसी झिझक के तुरंत अपने डॉक्टर को अवश्य दिखाएँ. ध्यान दें कि यह लक्षण कैंसर के अलावा किसी और असामान्यता के कारण भी हो सकता है जिसका पता जांच के बाद ही चलता है.

प्रोस्टेट कैंसर के कारण
आपको बता दें कि इसके होने के स्पष्ट कारणों का अभी पता नहीं लगाया जा सका है लेकिन फिर भी कुछ विशेषज्ञ कहते हैं कि कोशिकाओं में आने वाली अनियमितता इसका एक कारण हो सकता है. असामन्य कोशिकाओं के DNA में म्यूटेशंस की वजह से सामान्य कोशिकाओं की तुलना में यह कोशिकाएं जल्दी बढ़ती और विभाजित होती हैं. इस वजह से असामन्य कोशिकाएं जीवित रहती हैं और अन्य नष्ट होती जाती हैं. ये असामान्य कोशिकाएं एक ट्यूमर बनाती हैं जो बढ़कर आसपास के ऊतकों पर हमला करता है. कुछ असामान्य कोशिकाएं बढ़कर शरीर के अन्य अंगों में भी फ़ैल सकती हैं. निम्न कारक प्रोस्टेट कैंसर के जोखिम को बढ़ाते हैं:

वृद्धावस्था: उम्र के साथ प्रोस्टेट कैंसर होने का जोखिम भी बढ़ता है.


अनुवांशिक परेशानी: अगर आपके परिवार में किसी प्रोस्टेट कैंसर या ब्रैस्ट कैंसर है या रह चुका है, तो आपको प्रोस्टेट कैंसर होने का खतरा ज़्यादा है.

मोटापा: मोटापे से ग्रस्त पुरुषों में इस बीमारी के ज़्यादा गंभीर होने की सम्भावना रहती है जिसका उपचार किया जाना मुश्किल हो जाता है.

प्रोस्टेट कैंसर के बचाव के उपाय
निम्न बातों का ध्यान रखकर प्रोस्टेट कैंसर होने की सम्भावना को घटाया जा सकता है. स्वस्थ आहार खाएं: ज़्यादा से ज़्यादा फल और सब्ज़ियां खाएं. फलों और सब्ज़ियों से कई विटामिन और खनिज मिलते हैं जो स्वास्थ्य के लिए अच्छे होते हैं. वसा-युक्त भोजन का सेवन न करें. आप प्रोस्टेट कैंसर से आहार के माध्यम से बच सकते हैं या नहीं यह पूर्ण रूप से सिद्ध नहीं हुआ है. लेकिन स्वस्थ आहार से सम्पूर्ण स्वास्थ्य स्थिति को बेहतर करने में मदद मिलती है. व्यायाम करें: व्यायाम से स्वास्थ्य में वृद्धि होती है. ऐसा पाया गया है कि जो पुरुष व्यायाम नहीं करते उनका PSA लेवल ज़्यादा होता है जबकि जो पुरुष व्यायाम करते हैं उनमें इसका कम जोखिम रहता है.

3 people found this helpful

HIV-AIDS - Things You Didn't Know About It!

MD - Internal Medicine, DIM -Diploma in Industrial Medicine, Certificate in HIV Medicine
HIV Specialist, Mumbai
HIV-AIDS - Things You Didn't Know About It!

HIV is simply the virus that causes AIDS while AIDS is the viral disease caused by HIV. HIV means Human Immunodeficiency Virus while AIDS means Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. The virus that causes AIDS is a special one because it is not just a virus but a retro-virus that replicates in a fraction of seconds and attacks the human immune system severely. The immune system contains biological "soldiers" known as antibodies that fight against diseases. The weakening of the immune system makes the human body vulnerable to opportunistic infections including tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. I suppose you know what I have just said about HIV/AIDS.

HIV/AIDS is transmitted through the exchange of blood directly or indirectly from an infected person to another person. The use of unsterilized sharp instruments such as a needle and injection syringe can cause the transmission of HIV/AIDS. Unprotected sexual intercourse can cause the transmission of HIV/AIDS. A mother living with HIV/AIDS can transmit to her unborn child through the umbilical cordwhich connects the mother and the unborn child. Blood transfusion can also lead to transmission of HIV/AIDS if the transfused blood is infected with HIV/AIDS. So there are only four known ways through which you can contact the virus that causes AIDS. There's no way you can contact HIV through mosquito bites, having a hand-shake with someone that is infected, hugging, kissing, and sharing personal effects such as towel and clothes with someone that is living with the virus.

The only way you can find out whether you have contacted the virus is through having a blood test. And you have to go for the blood test from time to time, at least twice in a year, because the virus has an incubation period of about 3-6 months. If you are not yet married abstinence from sexual intercourse is the best option for you but if you cannot abstain you have to protect yourself with a condom. Then if you are married you just have to be faithful to your partner - stick to him or her because he or she has got whatever you are looking for out there. You have to make sure that you avoid unprotected sexual intercourse, and other ways of getting infected with the disease. 

But there is one thing you don't know about HIV/AIDS. What you don't know is that HIV/AIDS kills slower than the stigma attached to it by some people in our various societies. Yes, you heard well. Stigmatization has killed more people living with HIV/AIDS than the virus or the disease itself. Some people living with HIV/AIDS have been rejected by their families and friends simply because they tested positive to the virus. Some people living with the virus have lost their jobs simply because they are living with the virus. Some people have committed suicide because they thought they could not live to face the stigma. More and more people living with HIV/AIDS have died as a result of stigmatization or the psychological trauma that follows the disease.

You have to show love to these people living with HIV/AIDS. You have to show that their families and friends still want them. You have to show them that the society still wants them irrespective of the fact that they are living with HIV/AIDS. You have to let these people know that they are not less human because of their medical condition. You have to let them know that living with HIV/AIDS is not the end of the world. Let them know that they can still live a normal life though they are living with HIV/AIDS. As a matter of fact, anybody can live with the virus so you have no right to stigmatize anybody because of HIV/AIDS.

2668 people found this helpful

HIV-AIDS - Things You Never Knew About It!

Dr. Hemant Kumar 95% (243 ratings)
MD, Diploma in Family Medicine, MBBS
HIV Specialist, Ghaziabad
HIV-AIDS - Things You Never Knew About It!

HIV is simply the virus that causes AIDS while AIDS is the viral disease caused by HIV. HIV means Human Immunodeficiency Virus while AIDS means Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. The virus that causes AIDS is a special one because it is not just a virus but a retro-virus that replicates in a fraction of seconds and attacks the human immune system severely. The immune system contains biological "soldiers" known as antibodies that fight against diseases. The weakening of the immune system makes the human body vulnerable to opportunistic infections including tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. I suppose you know what I have just said about HIV/AIDS.

HIV/AIDS is transmitted through the exchange of blood directly or indirectly from an infected person to another person. The use of unsterilized sharp instruments such as a needle and injection syringe can cause the transmission of HIV/AIDS. Unprotected sexual intercourse can cause the transmission of HIV/AIDS. A mother living with HIV/AIDS can transmit to her unborn child through the umbilical cordwhich connects the mother and the unborn child. Blood transfusion can also lead to transmission of HIV/AIDS if the transfused blood is infected with HIV/AIDS.

So, there are only four known ways through which you can contact the virus that causes AIDS. There's no way you can contact HIV through mosquito bites, having a hand-shake with someone that is infected, hugging, kissing, and sharing personal effects such as towel and clothes with someone that is living with the virus.

The only way you can find out whether you have contacted the virus is through having a blood test. And you have to go for the blood test from time to time, at least twice in a year, because the virus has an incubation period of about 3-6 months. If you are not yet married abstinence from sexual intercourse is the best option for you but if you cannot abstain you have to protect yourself with a condom. Then if you are married you just have to be faithful to your partner - stick to him or her because he or she has got whatever you are looking for out there. You have to make sure that you avoid unprotected sexual intercourse, and other ways of getting infected with the disease.

But there is one thing you don't know about HIV/AIDS. What you don't know is that HIV/AIDS kills slower than the stigma attached to it by some people in our various societies. Yes, you heard well. Stigmatization has killed more people living with HIV/AIDS than the virus or the disease itself. Some people living with HIV/AIDS have been rejected by their families and friends simply because they tested positive to the virus. Some people living with the virus have lost their jobs simply because they are living with the virus. Some people have committed suicide because they thought they could not live to face the stigma. More and more people living with HIV/AIDS have died as a result of stigmatization or the psychological trauma that follows the disease.

You have to show love to these people living with HIV/AIDS. You have to show that their families and friends still want them. You have to show them that the society still wants them irrespective of the fact that they are living with HIV/AIDS. You have to let these people know that they are not less human because of their medical condition. You have to let them know that living with HIV/AIDS is not the end of the world. Let them know that they can still live a normal life though they are living with HIV/AIDS. As a matter of fact, anybody can live with the virus so you have no right to stigmatize anybody because of HIV/AIDS.

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