As the population increases the number of people who have HIV/AIDS/STD’s also

increases. We must be all aware of how drastic its effect in humanity. Last (date) at (place)
(sino nag conduct ng seminar) they held a seminar about Human Immunodeficiency Virus
that will lead to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome and also about Sexually
Transmitted Diseases.
According to AVERT 2018, Human Immunodeficiency Virus Is a virus that attacks
cells in the immune system, which is our body’s natural defense against illness. The virus
destroys a type of white blood cell in the immune system called a T-helper cell, and makes
copies of itself inside these cells. T-helper cells are also referred to as CD4 cells. As HIV
destroys more CD4 cells and makes more copies of itself, it gradually weakens a person’s
immune system. This means that someone who has HIV, and isn’t taking antiretroviral
treatment, will find it harder and harder to fight off infections and diseases. If HIV is left
untreated, it may take up to 10 or 15 years for the immune system to be so severely
damaged that it can no longer defend itself at all. However, the rate at which HIV
progresses varies depending on age, general health and background.
In other words, this is the virus termed HIV because it only affects and infects
human beings. Secondly, when it affects human beings, it destroys the body’s ability to
fight off diseases. This renders the immune system defenseless and vulnerable to all
forms of infections. Usually asymptomatic for 5 to 10 years. Lifelong infection. As we can
see, HIV does not have any cure and it will slowly attack your body until you became
weak.
We are all keep on asking, what is the origin of HIV and it was debated since when
the virus was identified during 1980’s. Based on the article entitled, “The Origin of
HIV/AIDS” it was all started to the chimpanzee and passed through the humans. “Simian
Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) from chimpanzee most likely mutated in Human
Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) to cause AIDS.” The three main theory how HIV starts are
The Hunters Theory, The Oral Polio Vaccine Theory, and The Contaminated Needle
Theory. The Hunter Theory is said to be that the virus (SIV) was transferred to human
beings as a result of chimpanzees being killed and eaten or their blood getting into cuts
or wounds on the hunter. SIV on a few occasions adapted itself within its new human host
and become HIV. Next is, The Oral Polio Vaccine Theory is said to be that the virus was
transmitted via various medical experiments (Iatrogenically) especially through the polio
vaccines. Lastly, The Contaminated Needle Theory is defined as the African healthcare
professionals were using one single syringe to inject multiple patients without any
sterilization in between. Right now, HIV was widely spread because of unprotected sex,
blood transmission, and other fluids.

You will not easily know if the human has HIV because it is one of the most
complicated and worst disease you MUST not have. The person who has HIV will go
through difficult stages the first one is the HIV infection. HIV quickly replicates in the body
of someone who is newly infected. Although the virus may be undetectable by test, at this
time there is a high level of virus in the peripheral blood and HIV can be readily transmitted
to someone else. This period is known as acute or primary infection. It may take weeks
or even months before the immune system reacts to the virus by developing antibodies
with which to fight it, although the majority of people will develop antibodies to HIV within
eight weeks. The development of antibodies to HIV is termed 'seroconversion'. Some
people do not notice any changes after infection, whereas others will experience a brief
flu-like illness within days to weeks of exposure. Symptoms may include headache,
diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, fever, aching muscles, rash, and/or enlarged
lymph glands. The second stage is called Window Period, it is the time during which
markers of infection are not detectable. The length of the window period varies between
individuals; UK guidelines state that for a fourth-generation test the window period is one
month. Testing during this period can result in false negative results. People seeking
testing may be confused or uncertain about the significance and length of window periods.
Next stage is seroconversion, it is the period of time during which HIV antibodies develop
and become detectable. Generally, takes place within a few weeks of initial infection. It is
often, but not always, accompanied by flu-like symptoms including fever, rash, muscle
aches and swollen lymph nodes. These symptoms are not a reliable way to identify
seroconversion or to diagnose HIV infection. After seroconversion is the asymptomatic
stage, HIV in the peripheral blood usually drops to a low level. A person generally feels
healthy and a period of asymptomatic infection may last for several months or many
years. Someone with asymptomatic HIV infection may have swollen glands, a condition
known as persistent generalized lymphadenopathy. After they gone through to four
painful stages, they will have HIV related illness because their body does not have any
capacity to fight off any diseases. HIV related illness are Tuberculosis (TB) and hepatitis.
These are diseases that can have an effect on HIV and can also be affected by HIV. They
are sometimes referred to as co-infections. Hepatitis B and C are more infectious than
HIV, but are transmitted in similar ways: by contact with infected body fluids like blood,
semen and vaginal fluid, and from a mother to her baby during pregnancy or delivery.

The continuum of HIV is Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome or the most

advanced stage. A diagnosis is usually made based on the CD4 cell count or CD4
percentage and the presence of various opportunistic illnesses or cancers that appear in
the presence of underlying immune deficiency. According to AIDSmap 2018, AIDS is the
result of damage to the immune system. A damaged immune system is unable to protect
the body against certain specific 'opportunistic' infections and tumors. These infections
and tumors are called opportunistic because they are caused by organisms normally
controlled by the immune system, but that 'take the opportunity' to cause disease when
the immune system has been damaged. The timing and types of clinical problems
affecting persons with AIDS can vary widely and this is why it is termed a syndrome. AIDS
is a collection of different signs and symptoms that are all part of the same underlying
medical condition, human immunodeficiency virus infection.

To make it short, acquired means something you get rather than you are born with.
Immune is defined as resistance or protection from disease. Deficiency is the absence of
protective power. Syndrome is a variety of symptoms rather than one single disease. It is
caused by a virus that breaks down the body’s immune system and leads to fatal infection
and later causes death to people.
The second most commonly asked is, “How can you get HIV?” The person is
infected by HIV through unprotected sexual intercourse, contact with infected blood, and
mother to child transmission. Blood and blood products, semen, breastmilk, and cervical
fluids are the body fluids known to transmit HIV.
Sexual intercourse or Unprotected anal and vaginal intercourse is high-risk
activities. In the penis, vagina and anus, HIV may enter through cuts and sores (many of
which would be very small and hard to notice), or directly through the mucus membranes.
Oral sex also is considered a low risk practice, but it’s not completely risk-free. The virus
can't survive well in the mouth (in semen, vaginal fluid or blood), so the risk of HIV
transmission through the throat, gums, and oral membranes is lower than through vaginal
or anal membranes. Having an STI, cuts or mouth sores, recent dental work or bleeding
gums may increase risk for HIV infection during oral sex. Sharing needles or other
materials used for injecting is considered a high-risk practice. Injection needles can pass
blood directly from one person to another if you share them. If a person with HIV injects
with a needle then shares it with another person, the second person is at very high risk
for getting HIV. Mother to child transmission is now rare in the U.S. and other high-income
countries because pregnant women who are HIV-positive are normally given medications
to prevent the fetus from getting infected. However, it is possible for an HIV-infected
mother to transmit HIV before or during birth or through breast milk. Breast milk contains
HIV, and while small amounts of breast milk do not pose significant threat of infection to
adults, it is a risk for infants.
There are types of HIV test, the Rapid Test, ELISA, and Western Blot
(Confirmatory test). Rapid test is a type of HIV antibody test used to screen for HIV
infection. A rapid HIV antibody test can detect HIV antibodies in blood or oral fluid in less
than 30 minutes. There is also a rapid antigen/antibody test available. A positive rapid
HIV antibody test must be confirmed by a second test for a person to be definitively
diagnosed with HIV infection. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), also
known as an enzyme immunoassay (EIA), detects HIV antibodies and antigens in the
blood. Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system, which helps your body
fight disease. The immune system produces the antibodies in response to the presence
of foreign substances, such as viruses. By contrast, antigens are any foreign substance
in the body that causes the immune system to respond. The ELISA test is typically the
first test ordered by a healthcare provider. In case of a positive result from this test, the
ELISA test was previously followed by a test called a Western blot to confirm the
diagnosis. However, the Western blot is no longer used, and today the ELISA test is
followed by an HIV differentiation assay to confirm HIV infection. The provider may also
order an HIV genetic material detection test. Last is the Western blot test it is typically
used to confirm a positive HIV diagnosis. During the test, a small sample of blood is taken
and it is used to detect HIV antibodies, not the HIV virus itself. The Western blot test
separates the blood proteins and detects the specific proteins (called HIV antibodies) that
indicate an HIV infection. The Western blot is used to confirm a positive ELISA, and the
combined tests are 99.9% accurate.
No person wants to be sick but HIV/AIDS is the disease that you will never ever
want to have. No cure has yet been found for AIDS. However, there is primary therapy
for HIV infection. Anti-Retroviral is the treatment and usually taken in combinations of two
to four medicines that work to stop HIV from increasing in the blood. According to WebMD
2018, the medicines that treat HIV are called antiretroviral drugs. There are more than
two dozen of them, and they fall into six main types. Each drug fights the virus in your
body in a slightly different way. Research shows that a combination, or "cocktail," of drugs
is the best way to control HIV and lower the chances that the virus becomes resistant to
treatment. Your doctor will probably recommend that you take three different medicines
from two of the groups. Which specific ones your doctor prescribes depends on what
other medical conditions you have or are likely to get, how well your immune system is
working, and even how many pills you want to take each day.
There are ways to prevent HIV/AIDS we must remember the acronym
ABCDEFGH;
Abstinence from sex
Be faithful to your partner
Correct and consistent use of condom
Do not use injectable drugs
Education
Frequent voluntary testing
Guidance and counseling
Have a healthy lifestyle and positive behavior
Every one of us can make a change. We can influence other youth, and do not
engage to the activities and vices that will harm ourselves. This are the ABCDEF’s of
What youth can do to fight against the harmful effects of HIV/AIDS;
Always disseminate the right information.
Be an agent of positive living and behavioral change
Create an enabling environment to many, especially to people living with HIV/AIDS.
Dare to create a bigger impact on your peers. Maximize your potentials and be creative.
Educate the youth according to their needs.
Fight stigma and discrimination.
 The seminar also talks about Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Based on Healthline,
the term sexually transmitted disease (STD) is used to refer to a condition passed from
one person to another through sexual contact. You can contract an STD by having
unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the STD. An STD may also
be called a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or venereal disease (VD). That doesn’t
mean sex is the only way STDs are transmitted. Depending on the specific STD,
infections may also be transmitted through sharing needles and breastfeeding.
The most common Sexually Transmitted Disease are Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and
Herpes Simplex Virus. Chlamydia is one of the most common STD’s and most people
who have this do not show any symptoms. It is spread through vaginal, anal, and oral
sex. The infection is carried in semen, pre-cum, and vaginal fluids. Chlamydia can infect
the penis, vagina, cervix, anus, urethra, eyes, and throat. Most people with chlamydia do
not have any symptoms and feel totally fine, so they might even know they are infected.
It can be also spread to a baby during birth if the mother has it. Next is Gonorrhea, a
bacterial infection that is transmitted by sexual contact. It is one of the oldest known
sexually transmitted diseases, and it is caused by Neisseria Gonorrhea Bacteria. Men
with Gonorrhea may have a yellowish discharge from the penis accompanied by itching
and burning. Last is Herpes Simplex Virus, it is often spread though skin to skin contact,
though it can be spread to your genital area during oral sex.
There are many ways to prevent STD’s and according to WebMD 2018, To prevent
getting a sexually transmitted disease, or STD, always avoid sex with anyone who has
genital sores, a rash, discharge, or other symptoms. The only time unprotected sex is
safe is if you and your partner have sex only with each other, and if it's been at least six
months since you each tested negative for STDs. Otherwise you should: Use
latex condoms every time you have sex. If you use a lubricant, make sure it's water-
based. Use condoms for the entire sex act. Condoms are not 100% effective at
preventing disease or pregnancy. However, they are extremely effective if used properly.
Learn how to use condoms correctly. Avoid sharing towels or underclothing. Wash before
and after intercourse. Get a vaccination for hepatitis B. This is a series of three shots. Get
tested for HIV. If you have a problem with drug or alcohol abuse, get help. People who
are drunk or on drugs often fail to have safe sex. Consider that not having sex is the only
sure way to prevent STDs. It was once thought that using condoms with nonoxynol-9
helped to prevent STDs by killing the organisms that can cause disease. New research
shows that doing so also irritates a woman's vagina and cervix and may increase the risk
of an STD infection. Current recommendations are to avoid using condoms with
nonoxynol-9.