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| AIDS
— 20 years on |
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AIDS was first recognised in 1981. Now, more than
20 years later, there is still no cure for AIDS.
A person is diagnosed with AIDS when HIV (Human
Immunodeficiency Virus) has destroyed his body’s
resistance to diseases.
In 1981, a person with HIV can expect to die within
a year or two. Today, there are treatments that
can help a person delay the onset of AIDS.
HIV treatment is the use of medication to keep an
HIV-infected person healthy. Currently, there are
20 types of drugs available to treat a person with
HIV. They are called antiretroviral drugs because
they attack HIV, which is a retrovirus. These drugs
can only suppress or slow down the growth of HIV,
but not indefinitely. They cannot cure AIDS.
Treatment, while available, is complicated and has
to be tailored to the individual. An HIVinfected
person has to take several types of drugs per day
for the rest of his life. Sadly, these drugs can
also cause unpleasant side effects such as nausea
and vomiting. Severe side effects such as liver
problems, diabetes, high cholesterol and nerve problems
may force a person to change his treatment regimen
and limit his treatment options. In addition, as
these drugs are very expensive, not everyone with
HIV can afford treatment.
While taking medication, the HIV-infected person
may appear very healthy. However, he can still transmit
the virus to others through unprotected sex, the
sharing of injection needles and blood donation.
Without a cure in sight, AIDS will remain a killer
disease for a long time.
As scientists continue to find an anti-HIV/AIDS
vaccine, the ways to protect oneself from AIDS remain
the same, more than 20 years after the virus was
discovered:
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Remain faithful
to your spouse or partner. The safest sex
is between two faithful, uninfected persons. |
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Avoid unprotected
sex with prostitutes and casual partners as
you simply cannot tell who has HIV from his/her
appearance alone. |
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However, if you are having
sex with someone other than your spouse or
partner, at least use a condom. While it does
not guarantee 100% protection, condoms, when
used properly and consistently, are effective
in reducing your risk of contracting HIV. |
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Avoid receiving blood
and organs from dubious sources. |
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Avoid drug abuse and sharing
needles. |
Today, an HIV infection still causes AIDS and ultimately
death. However, unlike 20 years ago, because of
the availability of treatment, the HIV-infected
person can live up to 10 years or more after being
infected. |
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1800-223-1313
(for personal health advice
during office hours) |
1800-848-1313
(for 24-hour pre-recorded
health information) |
Website
http://www.hpb.gov.sg |
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Call 6295
2944 for AIDS/STI pre-recorded
information (available 24 hours,
in four languages) |
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Call AIDS/STI Hotline at 1800-252 1324
(available during office hours) |
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Call AIDS Information & Counselling
Hotline at 6254 0212 (Tuesday, Thursday
& Friday: 6.30 pm – 9.30 pm) |
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Go for HIV screening
at DSC Clinic (31 Kelantan Lane,
#01-16, Singapore 200031, Tel:
6293 9648, Fax: 6299 4335, http://dsc-sexualhealth.com.sg/) |
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Action for AIDS
provides anonymous HIV testing/counselling
at the DSC clinic on Wednesday
(6 pm – 8 pm) & Saturday (1
pm – 4 pm). |
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Visit any polyclinic or private clinic for
screening. All test results will be kept
strictly confidential. |
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