November 2016 \ News \ MIND AND BODY
HIV/AIDS - The Great Magnifier of Maladies - is Entirely Preventable

Many persons throughout the world do not believe that there is still a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic and that the epidemics of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and HIV stigma still exist. As we will see,

By Mary Ann Adler Cohen, MD
  • Mary Ann Adler Cohen, MD

Many persons throughout the world do not believe that there is still a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic and that the epidemics of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and HIV stigma still exist. As we will see, throughout the world there is evidence of an HIV pandemic: 36.9 million persons are living with HIV despite the fact that HIV and AIDS are entirely preventable. There are 17 million children orphaned by the loss or one or both parents to AIDS, all of whom are affected by loss and some of whom are living with HIV as a result of maternal transmission. Although HIV is very easy to diagnose with rapid HIV testing, 19 million or 54% of persons with HIV are unaware that they are infected. Once diagnosed, persons who were previously unaware of the HIV infection can be referred for medical care and treatment with antiretroviral medication that will enable persons with HIV to live relatively healthy lives. When a person with HIV is engaged and retained in care the human immunodeficiency virus can respond to medical care and treatment with antiretroviral medication and the number of virus particles can be reduced to undetectable levels. This reduction of viral particles to undetectable levels can, in combination with other risk reduction measures, help prevent the spread HIV to other persons. Treatment of women with HIV throughout the course of pregnancy, labor, and delivery can ensure that their children are born healthy and uninfected with HIV. Engagement and retention in care enables persons with HIV to live relatively healthy lives just as anyone else with other chronic manageable illnesses.




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