This dissertation discusses the prevention measures of HIV/AIDS and pathology. The pathology of HIV/AIDS includes its causes, preventive measures, and pathogenesis. HIV targets and weakens the immune system. If not treated, it can lead to AIDS. It has symptoms such as Fever, muscle aches, and fatigue. HIV can be transmitted via the exchange of blood, breast milk, semen, and vaginal secretions from infected people. Epidemiology is the study of how the disease is distributed in populations. AIDS was first recognized in the US, in 1981. The links of HIV/AIDS to substance abuse have fostered its spreading. HIV has infected people from all races and gender. The discovery of antiretroviral therapies in 1996 as one of the preventive measures of HIV/AIDS resulted in a dramatic decrease in the number of deaths.
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PREVENTION MEASURES OF HIV/AIDS
The 3 levels of preventive measures of HIV/AIDS are—primary, secondary, and tertiary. They aim at preventive care and not treating the symptoms. Primary HIV prevention reduces the incidence of transmission e.g. access to condoms, accessible VCT and STIs care services, and creation of awareness on the links of HIV/AIDS to substance abuse. Secondary HIV prevention reduces the spread, prevalence, and severity of the disease through early detection and prompt intervention e.g. improving accessibility of health care services, and nutrition and health promotion for infected people. Tertiary prevention aims at reducing the negative impact of disease and improving the quality of life for the infected e.g. Improving accessibility to ART, and emphasizing ‘positive prevention’. Individuals can reduce the risk of HIV infection by limiting exposure to risk factors. Therefore, creation of awareness on the pathology of HIV/AIDS is paramount.
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HIV/AIDS AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE
The links of HIV/AIDS to substance abuse are inarguable. Substance use disorders are problematic patterns of using alcohol or another substance, such as crack cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin. Injection drug use (IDU) can be a direct route of HIV transmission if people share needles, and syringes contaminated with HIV. However, drinking alcohol, smoking, or inhaling drugs are also associated with increased risk for HIV. These substances alter judgment, which can lead to risky sexual behaviors e.g., having sex without a condom, that risk getting and transmitting HIV. Prevention measures of HIV/AIDS should also focus on strategies to prevent substance abuse. In people living with HIV, substance use can hasten disease progression, affect adherence to antiretroviral therapy, and worsen the overall consequences of HIV. Therefore, the pathology of HIV/AIDS should also encompass awareness of the links of HIV/AIDS to substance use.
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