My Did you Know section on HIV prevention will be focused on the transmission from mother to child. The successful decline has shown that an, “estimated rate of infections among babies peaked at 1,650 in 1991 and fell to around 144-236 in 2002. This decline was caused by the use of antiretroviral drugs and avoidance of breastfeeding” (Avert, 2009). What I found interesting is a main factor in the decrease was just a simple screening of pregnant woman of HIV. Most prevention methods that I have researched have been as basic as just being aware and getting tested. Yes, you have to take precautions of safe sex and risky behavior, but what happens when you do not. You need to be getting tested to make sure you are not HIV positive and/or spreading the virus. It is recommended that someone should get tested in 6 months if they think they could be at risk (Douglass, Slide 37).
Avert: AVERTing HIV and AIDS. (2009). Other Prevention Programmes. Retrieved September 22, 2009 from AVERT Website : http://www.avert.org/global-hiv-prevention.htm
Douglass, L. (2009). Module 2: Immune System [Power Point]. Orlando, Florida: University of Central Florida: Health Science.
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Hey Jenna,
ReplyDeleteThis is a very important topic to research, discuss, and share with everyone not only in this class, but also outside of it. Understanding how children can become HIV + and how it can be prevented will help us to further understand the disease and be able to stop it. Who knows maybe they'll find out a way to make children immune to the disease, which will cause their children to be immune too, and then we won't have to worry about it! Well, I can dream can't I???
It's funny how much difference prevention and screening can make. It's called primary prevention when you try and avoid the acquiring a condition, and they always talk about in the news and in publications of how much money and lives we would save each year if everyone were to get screened for a wide array of common conditions. I think you made a great point that it's important that if you are past the point of possible prevention, a simple screening could make all the difference.
ReplyDeleteJenna, I asked that the Did You Know section be in with the rest of your blog. It makes double work when you have to reply to two blog posting per week.
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