HIV Prevention Challenges
Q - How can HIV be prevented?
A - To do this, you need to overcome the numerous HIV prevention challenges experienced today by a lot of people. And it all starts with educating yourself about HIV and AIDS. As a first step, I recommend you read this page on HIV transmission before you continue.
Q - What are the different HIV preventive measures?
A - HIV and AIDS can be prevented by avoiding "risky behaviours". "Risky behaviours" are behaviours that increase your chances of getting the disease.
Here are some measures that can help prevent HIV transmission: avoiding risky behaviours like unprotected sexual intercourse and needle/works sharing, treating of infected pregnant mothers, screening blood and blood products.
Q - Can a HIV positive woman prevent her unborn child from getting HIV?
A - Yes, she can. The risk of an un-born child getting HIV from the mother is about 25%. But taking anti-retroviral medications during pregnancy can help a mother reduce the risks of transmitting the infection to her baby to about 8%. One of the big HIV prevention challenges faced in poor countries is the unavailability of drugs for infected pregnant mothers and so many children still get infected by their mothers.
Q - What is Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)?
A - Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is when a person is given a course of ART for a period after an event which puts the person at a high risk of getting HIV has just occurred. For example, if a doctor performing a surgery on a HIV infected patient sustains an injury, (s)he is placed on PEP. If an un-infected lady is raped by a suspicious man she is placed on PEP... If you think you have just been unduly exposed to the HIV virus talk with your doctor to determine if you should get PEP. Please note that the final decision to have PEP or not is taken by the doctor, so provide as much accurate information as possible about your exposure.
Q - Can I still get HIV even if I use a condom always?
A - Yes. A condom reduces but does not eliminate the chances of getting HIV. It is NOT 100% protective against HIV.
Created - August, 2006
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