HIV Tips

Spread of HIV infection from a woman who has transmits HIV to her child during pregnancy, childbirth (labor and delivery), or breastfeeding (breast milk) is called as Mother to child transmission (MTCT) of HIV. It is also termed as the perinatal transmission of the HIV infection or vertical transmission. In the absence of medical intervention, perinatal transmission rates are very high, between 20-45% in different parts of the world. In various regions of the African subcontinent a large num...more

The general acceptance is that, when someone suffers from Sexually Transmitted Disease or STD, the risk of getting affected by HIV increases for that particular person. This is true for both biological as well as for behavioral reasons.
HIV is one of the diseases which are caused as a result of sexual transmission. Before knowing the exact link between HIV and STD, understanding what the two concepts exactly are, would be beneficial.

Let us now look at the two concepts in detail:more

HIV or Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a type of immune disorder which attacks the immune system of the body and slowly destroys it over time. The HIV virus targets the immune system and makes the body susceptible to other diseases. HIV infection can progress to AIDS although it may take up to 10 or 12 years to fully go into the last stage.

Risks and Causes
HIV is a communicable disease which spreads through only the following methods

It can spread from one person to anothe...more

According to the tenets of Ayurveda, HIV is primarily a disease involving low immunity which is considered the most vital sap of the body. Immunity is in charge of providing both mental and physical strengths required to cope up with the foreign bodies that cause unwanted changes in the human body. When the immune system gets disrupted, the individual becomes susceptible to a host of infections and disorders. There are incessant numbers of bacteria and viruses in the environment, and some of the...more

A STD or sexually transmitted disease is usually an infection which spreads from one person to another during sexual contact. Some STDs can also be transferred through touch, since they spread by skin contact. People hardly like to talk or discuss STDs, but it is very important to rule out the possibilities of STD. Whether one likes it or not, if STD testing is ignored, then it can lead to long term consequences.

Why STD Testing is Important?

Often STDs have no signs and sympto...more

If you indulge in unprotected sex, there are chances that you might get infected with HIV or the human immunodeficiency virus (a virus that gradually attacks the immune system). HIV is an infectious virus which can cause AIDS or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome if left untreated. HIV may be transmitted via different ways, and becoming infected with HIV by having anal or vaginal sex without a condom is the commonest of all. Although there are several treatments for HIV, Ayurveda is considered t...more

Certain diseases are fatal, thus, proper measures must be taken to ensure that once the symptoms have been confirmed, treatment must start immediately. Syphilis is one of the most communicable sexually transmitted diseases. If left untreated, Syphilis can be fatal.

It can lead to heart disease, brain damage and blindness. A woman infected with Syphilis can also pass it on unknowingly to her baby if she suffers from the disease during her pregnancy. Syphilis can be easily treated, but if...more

It s a women s world today. Her presence is registered everywhere, be it home, at workplace, markets, hospitals, in the transport sector as cab or auto drivers, a loco pilot running the trains, a pilot, etc. As a politician, bureaucrat, entrepreneur, CEO, doctor, engineer, astronaut, architect or an educationist; she has indeed come a long way.
While women have a longer life expectancy than men in most of the countries, it doesn t necessarily mean that they get to enjoy healthier lives. In f...more

A number of diseases can cause male infertility. Few systemic diseases and infections can affect the development of sperm. E.g. Celiac disease which is a digestive disorder, STDs like gonorrhea, HIV can cause decrease in sperm count or cause scarring which can block passage of sperm. Genetic conditions, such as cystic fibrosis, may result in lack of sperm due to missing vas deferens or seminal vesicles.

Does cigarette smoke affect semen?
Yes, studies show that men who smoke have a ...more

HIV testing in pregnancy should be done early so as standard care can be taken for the pregnant women.This HIV testing must be repeated in the third trimester, usually before 36 weeks of gestation. This should be done in women with HIV-seronegative and also in pregnant women who are at a high risk of developing HIV infection.

Expedited HIV tests should be performed at the time of delivery and labor and this is a must in women who have not been documented for HIV. The results of the...more