Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is the illnes caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). AIDS was first discovered amongst the gay community in United States. However, subsequently the presence of HIV goes as far back as 1959 in Africa.
HIV attacks the body’s immune system, specifically the T cells, which help the immune system fight off infections. If left untreated, HIV reduces the number of T cells in the body, making the person more likely to get infections or infection-related cancers. Over time, HIV can destroy so many of these cells that the body can’t fight off infections and disease. These opportunistic infections or cancers take advantage of a very weak immune system and signal that the person has AIDS, the last state of HIV infection.
AIDS is not a disease specifically for drug users, homosexuals, transsexuals or sex workers. It does not matter who you are because there is always a possibility that you can get infected. Currently, there is no cure for AIDS. At the moment, the only available treatment for people living with HIV (PLHIV) is the Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART). This combination of at least three different anti-removiral medications helps promote and prolong the lives of PLHIV.
What is HIV/AIDS?
HIV/AIDS in Malaysia
HIV/AIDS was first diagnosed in Malaysia in 1986. By the end of 2010, there was a cumulative figure of 91,362 HIV cases reported to the Ministry of Health. It was estimated that by the end of 2015, Malaysia will have 81,946 PLHIV.
While the majority of HIV cases in Peninsular Malaysia are driven by intravenous drug users, 2010 data shows that Sabah and Sarawak have more HIV caes resulting from heterosexual transmission.
The transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STI) is strongly associated with transmission of HIV. As such, the number of STI cases is directly proportionate to the number of HIV cases. Based in a report released by Sarawak Health Department in 2012, there is an average of 5% increase of STI cases every year in the state, where 65% of the total casesare between the age group of 30 and 39 years old. Alarmingly, 19% of the STI cases in Sarawak in 2012 are comprised of youth and teenagers within the age group of 13 to 29. These data suggest that hugh risk sexual activities among youths are alarmingly high.
How HIV spreads
-
Unsafe Sex
The HIV spreads from an infected person to another through the transfer of body fluids such as semen, vaginal fluids and blood when they have unsafe or unprotected sex. Unprotected sex means any form of sexual intercourse without the use of a male or female condom.
-
injecting Drug Use
People wh inject themselves with drugs are at risk, especially if they share the needles with others. An Injection Drug Users (IDU) with HIV who shares a needle with another IDU also shares virus, as tiny amount of blood are left on the needle after injecting.
-
Mother to Baby
An infected mother can transit HIV to her child during pregnancy, labour and delivery, or breathfeeding, especially if the mother is not given treatment during pregnancy. Treatment that can significantly reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to her newborn.
HIV is not spread by
HIV does not survive long outside the human body (such as on surfaces) and it cannot reproduce outside a human host. It is not spread by:
-
Air or water
-
Mosquitoes, ticks or other insects
-
Saliva, tears or sweat that is not mixed with the blood of an HIV-positive person
-
Shaking hands, hugging, sharing toilets, sharing dishes/drinking glasses, or closed-mouth or “social” kissing with someone who is HIV-positive
-
Drinking fountains
-
Touching or hugging someone with HIV/AIDS
-
Other sexual activities that don’t involve the exchange of body fluids (for example, touching)
-
Donating blood
-
Sharing living, working, studying and sleeping space
Sarawak AIDS Concern Society
2nd Floor, Lot 1609, Block 10 KTLD, Jalan Batu Lintang, 93200 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
Tel/Fax: 082-233 173
