7 STOREY BUILDING COLLAPSE IN NAIROBI

 

A seven-storey building has sunk into its foundation in Kware, Embakasi, Nairobi.

The incident occured Monday night, according to police.

Most families were evacuated but police say some people may still be trapped in the rubble.

According to the Embakasi police boss, 121 people have been accounted for.

Rescue efforts are under way.

Joas Nemati, a resident, explained that at 1pm on Monday workers and the caretaker of the building repaired a huge crack on one of the staircases and assured them the house was intact.

But at 6pm, Mr Nemati said, his wife called him saying tenants had been ordered to leave immediately as the building was coming down.

Police arrived at the scene and assisted in evacuating residents, but a woman and her three children refused to leave.

The whereabouts of the woman and the children remain unknown.

Dorothy Aoko, a tenant, was on Tuesday morning looking for her two children, aged 22 and 15, who she claimed might be trapped in the building.

The mother of five said two of her children were in the house having supper when the building came down.

The number of missing occupants is yet to be confirmed, the Kenya Red Cross said on its Twitter feed.

At 10.30am the excavation work was stopped to allow rescue personnel to check on a trapped survivor who had called for help.

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, during a visit to the scene, said the building was not approved by the county.

Mr Kidero said over 30,000 buildings the city earmarked for demolition are yet to be brought down due to court orders.

The country has witnessed similar tragedies in the past. Last year, nearly 50 people died when a building collapsed in Huruma estate, Nairobi.

LEUKOPLAKIA

Leukoplakia is a condition that causes thick, plaque-like white patches on the tongue, gums, and lining of the mouth.Mouth irritants and irritating activities, such as smoking, often cause leukoplakia.                                                                                                                  Typically, cases of white patches in the mouth are harmless and symptoms resolve on their own. However, if the condition is leukoplakia, it can be associated with oral cancer.Leukoplakia is a condition that causes thick, plaque-like white patches on the tongue, gums, and lining of the mouth.

Mouth irritants and irritating activities, such as smoking, often cause leukoplakia. Typically, cases of white patches in the mouth are harmless and symptoms resolve on their own. However, if the condition is leukoplakia, it can be associated with oral cancer.

What is leukoplakia?

The World Health Organization (WHO) define leukoplakia as oral, white lesions of a questionable risk not related to any other non-serious conditions.

Leukoplakia is more of a clinical term than a specific condition, used to describe a wide range of white mouth sores.

Biopsy and testing are necessary to confirm true cases of leukoplakia.

The tests and terms that are used vary between different organizations.

Leukoplakia causes thick, raised, plaque-like white patches on the mucous membranes of the mouth.

Patches may also appear transparent or gray and usually have at least one area with a clear margin. Cracking may also occur.

Although they can be bothersome depending on the type, leukoplakia patches are often painless.

Commonly affected regions include:

• Inner lining of the cheeks
• Gums
• Bottom of the mouth under the tongue
• Tongue

In some cases, leukoplakia patches also affect other regions of the body aside from the mouth. Of these areas, the genitals are most frequently affected.

When to see a doctor

Many cases of white patches in the mouth go away on their own without any specific treatment aside from oral hygiene or stopping irritating activities.

However, if the white patch is leukoplakia, a long-lasting mouth lesion, it can sometimes signal serious health complications that require medical treatment.

Although it is not a cause of cancer, leukoplakia is thought to raise the risk of oral cancer. Oral tumors often form within persistent or severe leukoplakia patches. In many cases, ongoing leukoplakia has been found to be precancerous, a change in cells that occurs in the process of cancer development. Oral cancer develops over time and in stages. The most common oral cancer is squamous cell carcinoma.

According to WHO, more than 529,000 people throughout the world will be diagnosed with oral cancer each year. Most people who develop oral cancer are long-time smokers and over the age of 40.

People should see a doctor if they develop leukoplakia symptoms that include:

• White patches speckled with raised, red regions
• White lumps with dark or red patches
• Patches with an irregular or non-consistent texture
• Difficulty eating, swallowing, or moving the jaw
• Sores that last for more than 2 weeks without healing
• Changes to surrounding tissues in the mouth
• Ear pain or popping during swallowing

Researchers are still sorting the specifics of how and why leukoplakia occurs.

Chronic irritation seems to play a major role in most cases. Ongoing damage to oral tissues appears to cause them to enlarge, thicken, and often develop a substance called keratin.

Keratin is a protein crucial to the health of the outer layer of the skin. Keratin provides the structure for skin cells and protects them from injury and stress. The protein is also key to wound healing.

Small, white patches in the mouth are extremely common in response to minor injury and are typically not a sign of leukoplakia.

As with most health conditions, there is no single or definitive cause for leukoplakia. Tobacco use of any kind is considered to be the largest influencing factor in developing the condition.

In general, anything that causes damage or stress to the tissues of the mouth may be a risk factor for leukoplakia.

Factors that have been suggested to play a role in the condition include:

• prolonged or excessive tobacco use
• human papillomavirus (HPV), the same virus known to cause cervinal cancer
• conditions that weaken the immune system, such as HIV, chemotherapy, and organ surgery
• conditions that cause ulcers or are related to them
• severe or frequent burning of mouth from hot liquids or foods
• excessive or prolonged use of abrasive oral products such as teeth whiteners and polishing devices
• poorly fitting dentures, braces, bite plates, or retainers
• jagged or rough teeth surfaces
• excessive or prolonged use of steroid inhalers without rinsing the mouth afterwards
• poor oral hygiene
• cheek or tongue biting
• excessive alcohol use
• chewing certain nuts and leafs, such as betel leaf and areca nut

Leukoplakia is often mistaken for a yeast infection given their similar appearance.

A type of leukoplakia called hairy leukoplakia is common among people with weakened immune systems. The condition causes leukoplakia patches that have a fuzzy appearance. Hairy leukoplakia lesions are painless.

Hairy leukoplakia is considered an early warning sign of an excessively stressed or weakened immune system. It can be the first physical symptoms of HIV and AIDS. Hairy leukoplakia is also linked to mononucleosis, or the Epstein-Barr virus.

A doctor will usually diagnose leukoplakia by ruling out all other potential causes. This often includes a physical exam and review of medical history.

If leukoplakia is suspected, biopsies will likely be performed to rule out cancer.

Commonly used biopsies to include:

• Oral brush biopsy: A small spinning brush collects cells from mouth patches for examination.
• Excisional biopsy: Patches are removed surgically for examination. An ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist often becomes involved in the treatment and monitoring of the case at this point.

If cancer is not uncovered, the first line of treatment recommended for most cases is to remove contributing factors, such as tobacco use. Good oral hygiene is also advised.

If the patches do not clear up on their own, they may be removed by a doctor, often with a with a scalpel.

Follow-up appointments are recommended frequently for ongoing cases and typically yearly for resolved cases. Leukoplakia recurrences are common.

When associated with conditions like HIV, antiviral medications may be prescribed.

If pre-cancerous or cancerous cells are discovered, additional testing measures will be necessary to determine the extent of the condition. Treatment is based on the type of cells present. Though it is difficult to accurately estimate, about 5 percent of oral leukoplakia cases are thought to lead to oral cancer.

Good oral hygiene and stopping activities that damage or stress the mouth lining are the easiest ways to manage and prevent leukoplakia.

Recommended ways to prevent leukoplakia and its complications include:

• avoiding tobacco products of any kind
• avoiding inhaled or smoked products including cannabis, cloves, and resin
• reducing or stopping alcohol consumption
• routine self and physician exams
• routine dental exams and cleaning
•  avoiding abrasive dental hygiene products, such as whiteners and rinses
• ensuring cavities are filed properly and not rough or uneven
•  ensuring dental devices, such as dentures and braces, fit well without rough or exposed edges
• keeping mouth wounds clean
• waiting for hot drinks or foods to cool before drinking
• avoiding candies or chewing products that have rough edges or cause mouth irritation
• eating a healthful, balanced diet to avoid nutrient imbalances or deficiencies
• avoiding foods that cause allergic reactions
• practicing safe sex, including the use of a condom or dental dam during oral intercourse

HERPETIC WHITLOW

Herpetic whitlow or whitlow finger is a painful infection that may cause other symptoms to show up. The infection may appear in adults or children, and there are several ways to treat it.

Herpetic whitlow is an infection created by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). The infection produces a painful wound called a whitlow on the fingers.

Caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), herpetic whitlow occurs mostly on the fleshy part of the index finger or thumb. Sometimes herpetic whitlow can develop on the toes.

This article explores the symptoms, causes, and various treatment methods for this painful infection.

Symptoms

When the herpes simplex virus infection appears on the finger in the form of a whitlow, the symptoms are similar to herpes on other parts of the body:

•   Timing: The first symptoms usually appear 2-20 days after the person is exposed to the herpes simplex virus.
• Sensation: The infected area will burn or tingle, and the person may begin to experience pain before any noticeable lesion shows up.
• Infection: The finger will then begin to swell and redden as the infection develops. Blisters will appear and begin to fill with liquid or pus. There may be just one blister, or a group of them may develop. They are typically small and very painful to the touch.
•  Rupture: These blisters will then burst and scab over in the weeks to come. Once the scabs heal, the infection returns to its dormant state.

Other symptoms may appear at any time during the infection, including:

•  Swollen lymph nodes in the armpits or elbow area
•  A fever
• Red marks surrounding or leading away from the Whitlow

The sores that the infection creates may recur in some people over time. Whitlows will usually reappear in the same area as the primary infection.

There may be certain factors which trigger recurrent HSV infections, such as herpetic whitlow, including:

• Fever or Recurring illness
• Execessive stress
• Hormonal imbalance
• Excessive sun exposure
• Surgery
• Physical, mental, or emotional trauma

Recurrent infections will also typically follow a pattern similar to the primary infection. People will feel sensations of tingling, burning, or itching about 24 hours before the sores show up.

A recurrent infection usually lasts little more than a week and is not as strong as the primary infection. There may be fewer blisters during a recurrent infection, and those blisters may also be smaller and less painful.

Causes and risk factors

HSV is the virus that commonly causes cold sores and genital herpes. It is also the cause of herpetic whitlow.

There are two types of HSV; HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 infections usually occur around the face, in the mouth, nose or lips. HSV-2 infections typically involve the area around the genitals.

The infection can occur in men and women of all ages, though symptoms caused by HSV-1 appear to be more common in children and young adults.

Certain professionals may be more at risk for HSV-1 and complications, such as herpetic whitlow. These people may include medical or dental professionals and anyone who works in close collaboration with people who have the infection.

The rest of the population is commonly infected by HSV-2, often through sexual contact. People with weakened immune systems are more at risk for becoming infected with HSV.

Herpetic whitlow is very contagious. Infections are easily spread by coming into direct contact with the infected sores or blisters of someone with herpetic whitlow. A person can also infect themselves if they touch one of their own cold sores or genital herpes sores with their fingers.

It is vital that the whitlow is treated properly. Unchecked whitlows put a person at risk for superinfections or conditions, such as herpetic encephalitis, which is a herpes infection in the brain.

Treatment

Antiviral medications are often used to treat herpetic whitlow. These antivirals are effective in reducing the duration of symptoms in the primary infection as well as in recurrent infections.

It is crucial to begin antiviral treatment within the first 48 hours of any symptoms occurring. Using an antiviral to treat herpetic whitlow after the initial 48 hours will likely have little effect.

Antiviral treatment is used to help reduce the healing time and time spent in pain. Antiviral treatment may also reduce the risk for the virus to spread to other parts of the body.

However, if the person does not take antiviral medications, the whitlow will heal itself over a few weeks without any drugs.

Antiviral agents that are commonly used to treat herpetic whitlow include:

• Oral valacyclovir
• Oral acyclovir
• Oral famciclovir
• Topical acyclovir ointment
• Analgesics to numb pain

Antiviral medications are typically used for 1-2 weeks or until the infection clears up. In cases where the whitlow develops a secondary bacterial infection, antibiotics may also be necessary.

On rare occasions, where people have severe recurrent outbreaks, a doctor may prescribe suppressive medications. People should take these suppressive antiviral medications daily to try to decrease outbreaks.

It is important to note that antiviral medications can help treat an HSV outbreak, such as a herpetic whitlow, but they do not prevent future outbreaks. Antiviral drugs are not a treatment for HSV itself, only the symptoms.

Caring for and avoiding herpetic whitlow

People can support the recovery of herpetic whitlow in the home through a few different methods:

• Covering the infection: Lightly covering the infected area can help keep the virus from spreading. It is also important for people to refrain from popping or draining the blisters. This can cause the virus to spread even further or cause a secondary infection.
• Being hygienic: People should follow proper hygiene at all times, especially after coming into contact with the whitlow. People working in the medical or dental field should always follow basic hygiene rules and work with gloves whenever possible to protect themselves and other people.
• Switching to glasses: People who wear contacts may want to switch to glasses until the infection heals to avoid it spreading to the eyes. Many people take over the counter drugs or use ice packs to lessen the pain of the whitlow as well.
• Preventing spread: Avoiding contact with lesions is an important step in keeping the virus from spreading.
• Telling key people: People with HSV should also tell any medical or dental professional who works close to them about the virus so they can take measures to avoid it.

Outlook for herpetic whitlow

Herpes simplex virus can remain inactive in the nerve cells for a time, and may or may not cause symptoms.

In some cases, people never have a recurring whitlow. In others, whitlows often return and require regular treatment.

It is best for people to discuss their symptoms and treatment options with a qualified health care professional. Together they can work out a plan that fits the person's individual needs and makes treatment as comfortable as possible.

KOGI DOCTORS RESUME STRIKE

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Kogi has directed its members to resume a strike they suspended two weeks ago. 

The association said in a statement after an emergency congress in Lokoja on Saturday that the resumption of the strike was informed by government’s alleged failure to fulfill its promises to meet their demands. Dr Godwin Tijani, the chairman of the association in Kogi, said the decision was for the entire doctors to resume strike since their demands were being ignored by the state government.

According to him, the state government has failed to honour the agreement in spite of its assurance after the stakeholders’ intervention.

“It is really unfortunate that we have found our self in this mess. We respected all the stakeholders who wanted the progress of the Kogi health sector, but the government is putting deaf ears into our demands.

“We have had several promises of salary alerts for the past one week without success; consequently, the Kogi NMA hereby directs all its members to resume strike as from 12 a.m on June 5, 2017,’’ Tijani stated.

The doctors’ demands include reinstatement and payment of the salaries and arrears of doctors employed in 2015 and correction and payment of arrears of doctors underpaid, among others. NMA had earlier suspended its 11-day old strike on May 13 to give room for dialogue with state government.

NIGERIAN DOCTOR BANNED FROM PRACTICE IN THE UK OVER SEXUAL HARASSMENT ACCUSATION

The UK medical association banned the Nigerian medical practitioner Chris Uzoh after he was found guilty of sexually harassing a patient.

- He began sending a flurry of love messages and voice notes after meeting the patient at a one-time consultation for abdominal pain

- The 40-year-old father-of-two has since fled the United Kingdom to Canada after being indicted of wrongdoing.

A Nigerian medical practitioner in the United Kingdom, Dr. Chris Uzoh, has found himself on the wrong side of the law.

The 40-year-old doctor has been banned from practicing for a period of one year after he was called out by his patient over unsolicited sexual advances.

According to Daily Mail UK, the patient had previously booked an appointment with Dr. Uzoh to treat abdominal pain after which she began to receive a flurry of text and voice messages from the doctor.

NIGERIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION URGES PRESIDENT BUHARI TO DISCLOSE HEALTH STATUS

The Nigerian Medical Association has called on President Muhmmadu Buhari to disclose his health status to Nigerians.

The President of the NMA, Professor Mike Ogirima, who stated this while speaking with newsmen said Buhari’s disclosure of his health status would douse tension and rumours about his well-being.

Ogirima described Buhari as the number one public servant and the father of the nation, adding that he had his rights and privileges.

He also faulted the management of the information concerning Buhari. Many Nigerians, including Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, had asked the President to disclose the state of his health to Nigerians. Soyinka, at a press conference in Lagos on April 28, said Buhari’s failure to publicly disclose his state of health had increased political manipulations in the country.

On his part, a former governor of the old Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, said the way forward on the controversy surrounding the health of the President was for the Senate to constitute a board of inquiry to look into the issue.

Also, the Campaign for Democracy said the President should properly hand over power to the Vice-President and seek further medical treatment abroad.

In his response, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said the position of the NMA was an opinion that could not be taken as the gospel.

NSCDC SUSPENDS TWO OPERATIVES FOR HARASSING MEDICAL DOCTOR.

Authorities of the Bayelsa State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has suspended two of its operatives for harassing a medical doctor in Yenegoa, the state capital.

Their suspension came after the conclusion of an investigation into an allegation that two of its operatives harassed a medical doctor, Bekewari Sampou, by shooting at his car.The incident, which happened on April 28, this year, involving two civil operatives, Akpoghomhe Jude and Ogodo Richman, had generated public concern. The uproar that followed the incident necessitated the setting up of a seven-man committee, headed by NSCDC’s Head of Intelligence and Investigation Department, Anyanwu G.C., with the mandate to investigate all the circumstances surrounding the incident. The state Commandant, Desmond Agu, said following the report of the committee, Akpoghomhe was indicted and subsequently suspended from service.

Agu spoke at the Command’s headquarters in Yenagoa when a Pan-African group, Initiative for Positive Influence on African Youth (IPIAY) bestowed him with a distinguished leadership merit award.

He said the corps would never condone indiscipline, especially the misuse of firearms by its officers and men. He said following the meeting between the executive members of the Nigerian Medical Association and the NSCDC, the corps resolved to compensate the victim.Agu warned officers and men of the corps to desist from any act that could tarnish the image of NSCDC.The commandant said it was an honour to be remembered for an award by IPIAY, whose membership cut across most African countries.

Earlier, IPIAY’s Head of Mission, David Christophe, described Agu as a rare gem, administrative icon, a man of outstanding understanding and a true son of Africa.Christophe, a Togolese, who led Kwase Kudjoe (Ghana), Esther Okeke (Cameroun), Gabriel Kamoya (Kenya), Semira Ikhina (Benin Republic) and Paul Mathew (Nigeria) to give the commandant’s office, said the group was founded to identify selfless leaders, whose styles were in line with Pan-Africanism and encourage them.

OSUN DOCTORS STAGE PROTEST AGAINST HALF SALARIES, THREATEN STRIKE.

Some doctors, under the aegis of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Osun, on Thursday staged a peaceful protest in Osogbo against continue payment of half salaries by the state government. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the doctors dressed in their laboratory coats and branded shirts during the protest.

NAN reports that they marched from the Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital (LAUTECH) Complex, Osogbo through the popular Olaiya Junction to other major streets in the state capital. The doctors were armed with placards of various inscriptions and singing anti-government songs. Olajumoke said that this was contrary to the state government’s claims that it had spent N10 billion to improve the sector.

He said that many sick people lost their lives in the state due to non-availability of drugs and modern equipment for doctors to work within the hospitals. Olajumoke said that the doctors might consider strike as the last option, if the protest failed to achieve the desired result. He said in spite of the fact that the doctors were receiving half salaries, government was still deducting full tax from what he described as “amputated salaries”. Olajumoke appealed to the state government to improve facilities in the hospitals and pay full salaries to the doctors.

In an interview with NAN, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Rafiu Kusamotu, appealed to the protesting doctors to be patient with the state government. Kusamotu said though, there was need for proactive intervention in the sector, the state government needed little more time for the newly constituted cabinet to get its feet firmly on ground.

He said that the management and distribution of drugs, which was hitherto supervised by the local governments, would henceforth be handled by the state Ministry of Health for efficient management. (NAN). Dr Tokunbo Olajumoke, the state NMA chairman, told newsmen during the protest that there was neither drug nor equipment in any of the state government-owned hospital.

HIV and AIDS

What are the symptoms of HIV?

Some people infected with HIV are asymptomatic at first. Most people experience symptoms in the first month or two after becoming infected. That’s because your immune system is reacting to the virus as it rapidly reproduces.

This early stage is called acute stage. Symptoms are similar to those of the flu and may last anywhere from a few days to several weeks. These include:

• ·        fever
• ·        swollen lymph glands
• ·        general aches and pains

During the first few months of infection, an HIV test may provide a false-negative result. This is because it takes time for the immune system to build up enough antibodies to be detected in a blood test. But the virus is active and highly contagious during this time.

The clinical latent infection, or chronic stage of HIV, can last from a few years to a few decades. During this time the virus is still reproducing, but at lower levels. Some people have few, if any, symptoms. Others may have many symptoms. Without antiretroviral therapy, you’re likely to pass through this phase faster.

As the disease progresses, other symptoms may include:

• ·        swollen lymph nodes
• ·        recurrent fevers
• ·        fatigue
• ·        aches and pains
• ·        nausea, vomiting
• ·        diarrhea
• ·        weight loss
• ·        skin rashes
• ·        oral yeast infections or other infections
• ·        shingles

Symptoms may come and go or progress rapidly. Even if you have no symptoms, you can still transmit the virus to others.

What are the symptoms of AIDS?

With the use of antiretroviral therapy, chronic HIV can last several decades. Without treatment, HIV can be expected to progress to AIDS sooner. By that time, the immune system is quite damaged and has a hard time fighting off infection and disease.

Symptoms of AIDS can include:

• ·        recurrent fever
• ·        chronic swollen lymph glands, especially of the armpits, neck, and groin
• ·        chronic fatigue
• ·        night sweats
• ·        dark splotches under the skin or inside the mouth, nose, or eyelids
• ·        sores, spots, or lesions of the mouth and tongue, genitals, or anus
• ·        bumps, lesions, or rashes of the skin
• ·        recurrent or chronic diarrhea
• ·        rapid weight loss
• ·        neurologic problems such as difficulty concentrating, memory loss, and confusion
• ·        anxiety and depression

Because you have a weakened immune system, you’re at increased risk of pneumonia and other opportunistic infections. Other potential complications of AIDS include:

• ·        candidiasis
• ·        tuberculosis
• ·        cytomegalovirus (CMV), a type of herpes virus
• ·        cryptococcal meningitis
• ·        toxoplasmosis, and infection caused by a parasite
• ·        cryptosporidiosis, an infection caused by an intestinal parasite
• ·        cancer, including Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) and lymphoma
• ·        kidney disease

Antiviral medications can help control the virus. Treatment for other infections and complications of AIDS must be tailored to your individual needs.

What tests are used to diagnose HIV?

Antibody test

Between 21 and 84 days after infection, about 97 percentof people will develop detectable HIV antibodies, which can be found in the blood or saliva.

There’s no preparation necessary for blood tests or mouth swabs. Some tests provide results in 30 minutes or less and can be performed in a doctor’s office or clinic. There are also home test kits available:

·        OraQuick HIV Test: An oral swab provides results in as little as 20 minutes.

·        Home Access HIV-1 Test System: After pricking your finger, you send a blood sample to a licensed laboratory. You can remain anonymous and call for results the next business day.

If you think you’ve recently been exposed to HIV, but tested negative, repeat the test in three months. If you have a positive result, follow up with your doctor to confirm.

Antibody/antigen test

An antigen is part of the virus that activates your immune system. It takes from 13 to 42 days for antibodies and antigens to be detectable.

Nucleic acid test (NAT)

This expensive test isn’t used for general screening. It’s for people who have early symptoms of HIV or recently had a high-risk exposure. This test doesn’t look for antibodies, but for the virus itself. It takes from seven to 28 days for HIV to be detectable in the blood. This test is usually accompanied by an antibody test.

Is rash a symptom of HIV?

About 90 percent of people with HIV experience changes to the skin. Rash is often one of the first symptoms of HIV infection. Generally, an HIV rash appears as a flat red area with small bumps.

HIV makes you more susceptible to skin problems because the virus destroys immune system cells that fight infection. Co-infections that can cause rash include:

• ·        molluscum contagiosum
• ·        herpes simplex
• ·        shingles

The appearance of the rash, how long it lasts, and how it can be treated depend on the cause.

Some medicines used to treat HIV or other infections can cause a rash. It usually appears within a week or two of starting on a new medication. Sometimes the rash will clear up on its own. If it doesn’t, you may need to switch medicines.

Rash due to an allergic reaction to medicine can be serious. Other symptoms of an allergic reaction include trouble breathing or swallowing, dizziness, and fever.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is a rare allergic reaction to HIV medication. Symptoms include fever and swelling of the face and tongue. Rash, which can involve the skin and mucous membranes, appears and spreads quickly.

When 30 percent of the skin is affected it’s called toxic epidermal necrolysis, which is a life-threatening condition.

What is HIV?

HIV is a virus that enters your body and begins to destroy T cells. You need T cells in order to fight infections. HIV spreads through bodily fluids that include:

• ·        blood
• ·        semen
• ·        vaginal and rectal fluids
• ·        breast milk

The first few weeks after infection is called the acute infection stage. During this time the virus rapidly reproduces. Your immune system responds by producing HIV antibodies. Many people experience temporary flu-like symptoms during this stage. Even without symptoms, HIV is highly contagious during this time.

After the first month or so, HIV enters the clinical latency stage. This stage can last from a few years to a few decades. Progression can be slowed with antiretroviral therapy. Some people have symptoms. Many people do not, but it’s still contagious.

As the virus progresses, you’re left with fewer T cells. This makes you more susceptible to disease, infection, and infection-related cancers.

HIV is a lifetime condition with no cure. Medical care, including antiretroviral therapy, can help manage HIV and prevent AIDS.

Without treatment, HIV is likely to advance to AIDS. At that point, the immune system is too weak to fight off life-threatening disease and infection. Untreated, life expectancy with AIDS is about three years.

It is estimated that 1.1 million Americans are currently living with HIV. And one in five don’t know it.

Part 6 of 21

HIV symptoms in men: Is there a difference?

Symptoms of HIV vary from person to person, but they’re similar in men and women. During the first two to four weeks, the virus reproduces at a very high rate.

You may experience flu-like symptoms such as:

• ·        fever
• ·        chills
• ·        swollen lymph glands

Symptoms can be mild to severe and usually resolve within a few weeks. Following the acute stage of infection, it’s not uncommon to be symptom-free for a long time.

As the infection progresses, other symptoms may include:

• ·        headaches and other aches and pains
• ·        night sweats
• ·        fatigue
• ·        skin rashes
• ·        oral infections
• ·        pneumonia
• ·        nausea
• ·        vomiting
• ·        persistent diarrhea
• ·        weight loss

These symptoms can come and go or get progressively worse. If you’ve been exposed to HIV, you may also have been exposed to other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Men are more likely than women to notice symptoms like sores on their genitals. But men typically don’t seek medical care as often as women.

Without treatment, HIV can advance to AIDS. At that stage, the immune system is so weakened that it cannot fight off infections and disease.

What is AIDS?

AIDS is a disease caused by HIV. It’s the most advanced stage of HIV. But just because you have HIV doesn’t mean you’ll develop AIDS.

HIV destroys T cells called CD4 cells. These cells help your immune system fight infections. Healthy adults generally have a CD4 count of 800 to 1,000 per cubic millimeter. If you have HIV and your CD4 count falls below 200 per cubic millimeter, you will be diagnosed with AIDS.

You can also be diagnosed with AIDS if you have HIV and develop an opportunistic infection that is rare in people who don’t have HIV.

AIDS weakens your immune system to the point where it can no longer fight off most diseases and infections. That makes you vulnerable to a wide range of illnesses, including:

• ·        pneumonia
• ·        tuberculosis
• ·        candidiasis
• ·        cytomegalovirus, a type of herpes virus
• ·        cryptococcal meningitis
• ·        toxoplasmosis, an infection causes by a parasite
• ·        cryptosporidiosis, an infection caused by an intestinal parasite
• ·        cancer, including Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) and lymphoma
• ·        kidney disease

Untreated, HIV can progress to AIDS within a decade. Treatment with antiretroviral drugs can prevent AIDS from developing for far longer.

There is no cure for AIDS. Without treatment, life expectancy after an AIDS diagnosis is about three years. This may be reduced if you develop a severe opportunistic illness.

Part 8 of 21

HIV symptoms in women: Is there a difference?

For the most part, symptoms of HIV are about the same in men and women. The virus reproduces rapidly in the first two to four weeks.

Temporary flu-like symptoms in this acute stage may include:

• ·        fever
• ·        chills
• ·        swollen lymph glands

As the infection progresses, other symptoms may include:

• ·        headaches and other aches and pains
• ·        night sweats
• ·        fatigue
• ·        skin rashes
• ·        oral infections
• ·        pneumonia
• ·        nausea, vomiting
• ·        persistent diarrhea
• ·        weight loss

In addition, women with HIV are at increased risk of:

• ·        vaginal yeast infections and other vaginal infections, including bacterial vaginosis
• ·        sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis
• ·        pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• ·       infection of the reproductive organs and menstrual cycle changes
• ·        human papillomavirus (HPV), which can cause genital warts and lead to cervical cancer

Another gender difference is that women are less likely than men to notice small spots or other changes to their genitals.

HIV can be transmitted to your baby during pregnancy. The virus can also be passed to your baby through breast milk. If your doctor knows you have HIV, treatment can lower the risk of passing the virus on to your child to less than 2 percent.

HIV and AIDS: What’s the connection?

To develop AIDS, you have to have been infected with HIV. But having HIV doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll develop AIDS.

HIV is passed from person to person through bodily fluids such as blood and semen. Once the virus enters your body, it attacks your immune system by destroying CD4 cells, which help keep you from getting sick.

There are three stages of HIV infection:

• acute stage, the first few weeks after infection
• clinical latency, or chronic stage
• AIDS, the last stage

As HIV lowers your CD4 cell count your immune system weakens. A normal adult CD4 count is 800 to 1,000 per cubic millimeter. A count below 200 is considered AIDS.

How quickly HIV progresses through the chronic stage varies significantly from person to person. Without treatment, it can last up to a decade before advancing to AIDS. With treatment, it can last indefinitely.

There is no cure for HIV, but it can be controlled. People with HIV often have a near-normal lifespan with early intervention with antiretroviral therapy.

There’s no cure for AIDS, but individual infections and diseases are often treatable.

Treatment options for HIV:

Treatment should begin as soon as possible after a diagnosis of HIV.

The main treatment for HIV is antiretroviral therapy (ART), a combination of daily medications that stop the virus from reproducing. This helps protect your CD4 cells, keeping your immune system strong enough to fight off disease.

ART helps keep HIV from progressing to AIDS. It also helps reduce the risk of transmission.

There are more than 25 medications in six drug classes approved to treat HIV. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommends a starting regimen of three HIV medicines from at least two drug classes.

Your doctor will help you choose a regimen based on your overall health and personal circumstances. These medications must be taken consistently and exactly as prescribed. Failure to adhere to therapy guidelines can jeopardize your health.

Side effects vary and may include headache and dizziness. Serious side effects include swelling of the mouth and tongue and liver damage. Some people eventually develop drug-resistant strains of HIV. If you have serious side effects, your medications can be adjusted.

Your doctor may also recommend vaccinations for the following conditions:

• ·        hepatitis B
• ·        influenza
• ·        pneumonia

Treatment for individual symptoms can be addressed as they arise.

To strengthen your overall health, maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep.

Is there a vaccine for HIV?

Currently, there are no vaccines to prevent or treat HIV. Research and testing on experimental vaccines are ongoing. But none are close to being approved for general use.

HIV is a complicated virus. It mutates rapidly and is adept at evading immune system responses. Only a small number of people infected with HIV develop broadly neutralizing antibodies, the kind of antibodies that can fight a range of strains.

The first HIV vaccine efficacy study in seven years is currently underway in South Africa. The experimental vaccine is an updated version of one used in a 2009 trial that took place in Thailand. A 3.5-year follow up after vaccination showed the vaccine was 31.2 percent effective in preventing HIV infection. It’s the most successful HIV vaccine trial to date.

The new study involves 5,400 men and women from South Africa. In South Africa more than 1,000 people are infected with HIV every year. The results of the study are expected in 2020.

While there’s still no vaccine to prevent HIV, people with HIV can benefit from other vaccines to prevent HIV-related illnesses that include:

• ·        pneumonia
• ·        Influenza
• ·        hepatitis B

Early symptoms of HIV:

As soon as you’re infected with HIV, your immune system starts to react to the rapidly multiplying virus. This is known as the acute stage. Some people have only very mild symptoms or none at all.

Others have symptoms that include:

• ·        fever
• ·        sore throat
• ·        swollen lymph glands
• ·        headache
• ·        general aches and pains
• ·        upset stomach
• ·        skin rash

Symptoms may come and go or last for weeks. Because these symptoms are similar to common illnesses like the flu, you might not see a doctor. Even if your doctor suspects the flu or mononucleosis, HIV may not be considered.

With or without symptoms, your viral load is likely very high during this period. It can be easily passed to someone else during unprotected sex.

Initial symptoms usually resolve within a few months as you enter the chronic, or clinical latent stage of HIV. This stage can last many years or even decades with treatment.

Even if caught early, HIV cannot be cured. However, early treatment with antiretroviral medication can keep your immune system healthy longer, prevent AIDS, and make transmission less likely.

HIV transmission: Know the facts;

HIV does not play favorites. Anyone can become infected. The virus is transmitted in bodily fluids that include:

• ·        blood
• ·        semen
• ·        vaginal and rectal fluids
• ·        breast milk

Some of the ways HIV is spread from person to person include:

• ·        having unprotected sex with an infected person. This is the most common route of transmission
• ·        sharing needles, syringes, and other items for injection drug use with an infected person
• ·        passing it on to an unborn child if the mother is HIV-positive
• ·        passing it on to a baby through breast milk if the mother is HIV-positive
• ·        being exposed to infected fluids, usually through needle sticks.
•     Having a blood transfusion or organ and tissue transplant can also transmit the virus. But rigorous testing for HIV in blood ensures that this is very rare in the United States.

It’s theoretically possible, but considered extremely rare, for HIV to spread via:

• ·        oral sex
• ·        being bitten by an infected person
• ·        contact between broken skin, wounds, or mucous membranes and HIV-infected blood or fluids

HIV does NOT spread through:

• ·        skin-to-skin contact
• ·        hugging, shaking hands, or kissing
• ·        air or water
• ·        eating or drinking items, including drinking fountains
• ·        saliva, tears, or sweat (unless mixed with blood from an infected person)
• ·        sharing a toilet, towels, or bedding
• ·        mosquitoes or other insects

HIV medications:

There are at least 25 medications approved to treat HIV. They work to prevent HIV from reproducing and destroying CD4 cells, which help your immune system fight infection. This also helps reduce the risk of transmitting the virus.

These antiretroviral medications are grouped into six classes:

• ·        non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs)
• ·        nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)
• ·        protease inhibitors
• ·        fusion inhibitors
• ·        CCR5 antagonists, also known as entry inhibitors
• ·        integrase strand transfer inhibitors

Treatment should begin as quickly as possible and usually starts with a regimen of three drugs from at least two classes. Your health will help determine your best options.

Antiretroviral medications must be taken exactly as prescribed to be effective. Some are available in combination pills so they’re easier to take.

Side effects differ from person to person. The most common are dizziness and headache. Serious side effects may include swelling of the mouth and tongue and liver damage. Drug interactions and drug resistance are also possible.

Blood testing will help determine if the regimen is working to keep your viral count down and your CD4 count up.

Costs vary according to where you live and type of insurance coverage. Some pharmaceutical companies have assistance programs to lower the cost. Average wholesale prices of commonly used antiretroviral drugs range from $54 to $4,097 a month.

Living with HIV: What to expect and tips for coping;

More than one million people in the United States are living with HIV. It’s different for everybody, but many enjoy a good quality of life and can expect a longer lifespan than those diagnosed before today’s treatments were available.

The most important thing you can do is start antiretroviral treatment as soon as possible. And it’s important to follow up with your doctor regularly. By taking your medications exactly as prescribed, you can keep your viral count low and your immune system strong.

Fuel your body with a well-balanced diet. Get regular exercise and plenty of rest. And report any new symptoms to your doctor right away.

Make your health your top priority — and that includes your emotional health. You could see a licensed therapist who is experienced in treating people with HIV.

Your doctor can steer you toward a variety of resources in your area. You can also join an HIV support group so you can meet with others who deal with the same concerns you have.

Talk to your sexual partner(s). Get tested for other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and use protection every time you have sex. Talk to your doctor about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). When used consistently, this daily medication can lower the chances of transmission.

Causes of AIDS:

AIDS is caused by HIV. You can’t get AIDS if you haven’t been infected with HIV.

HIV may be the human version of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), known to infect African chimpanzees. It may have crossed over and mutated in humans who ate infected chimpanzee meat as long ago as the late 1800s.

Slowly, the virus spread across Africa and to other continents. It is thought that HIV has existed in the United States since the 1970s.

HIV spreads from person to person through bodily fluids such as blood and semen. It then attacks CD4 cells, which help your immune system fight off disease and infection.

Healthy individuals have a CD4 count of 800 to 1,000 per cubic millimeter. Without treatment, the virus continues to multiply and destroy CD4 cells. If your CD4 count falls below 200, you have AIDS.

If you have HIV and have developed an opportunistic infection associated with HIV, you can still be diagnosed with AIDS, even if your CD4 count is above 200.

AIDS means your immune system is profoundly compromised, making you vulnerable to life-threatening diseases.

Causes of HIV;

HIV is a variation of a virus that infects African chimpanzees.

Scientists suspect the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) jumped from chimps to humans when people consumed infected chimpanzee meat. Once inside the human population, the virus mutated into what we now know as HIV.

HIV spread from person to person throughout Africa over the course of several decades. Eventually, the virus migrated to other parts of the world. Scientists first discovered HIV in a human blood sample in 1959.

HIV has been in the United States since the 1970s. It didn’t start to hit public consciousness until the 1980s.

HIV spreads from person to person in bodily fluids such as blood, semen, and breast milk when you:

• ·  have unprotected sex with an infected person
• · share needles and other items for injection drug use with an infected person
• pass it to your infant during labor or through breastfeeding
• Healthcare workers can acquire the virus if exposed to infected fluids, usually in a needle stick. 
• HIV can also be transmitted through blood transfusions or organ and tissue transplants. But this is rare in the United States and Nigeria due to strict testing. The virus doesn’t spread in air, water, or through casual contact.

HIV prevention;

There’s no vaccine to prevent HIV infection.

Unprotected sex is the most common way for HIV to spread. You can’t completely eliminate this risk unless you abstain from sex, but you can lower risk considerably by taking a few precautions:

• ·        Get tested for HIV to learn your status and your partner’s.
• ·        Get tested for other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). If you have one, get treated, because having an STD increases the risk of HIV.
• ·        Learn the correct way to use condoms, and use them every time you have sex, whether it’s vaginal, anal, or oral. Keep in mind that pre-seminal fluids can contain the virus.
• ·        Limit your sexual partners. Have only one sexual partner who only has sex with you.
• ·        If you have HIV, lower the risk of transmitting it to your sexual partner by taking your medicines as directed. Although this will lower your viral load, you still need to use condoms.
• HIV is also transmitted through blood. Never share needles or other drug paraphernalia.

If you’re at a high risk of HIV, talk to your doctor about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). PrEP is a combination of two drugs available in pill form. If you take it consistently, you can lower your risk of contracting HIV.

HIV statistics:

In 2015, about 36.7 million people worldwide were living with HIV. Only about 46 percent had access to antiretroviral therapy. Of the 2.1 million newly infected people, 150,000 were under age 15.

Since the pandemic began, 78 million people have contracted HIV, and AIDS has claimed 35 million lives. In 2015, 1.1 million people died from AIDS-related diseases.

East and southern Africa are hardest hit. In 2015, 19 million people were living with HIV, and 960,000 more became infected. The region has 46 percent of new HIV infections worldwide.

Every 9.5 minutes, someone in the United States becomes infected. That’s more than 56,000 new cases a year. It is estimated that 1.1 million Americans are currently living with HIV. And 1 in 5 are unaware they are infected.

About 180,000 American women are living with HIV. In the United States, almost half of all new cases occur in African-Americans.

About 97 percent of people develop detectable HIV antibodies 21 to 84 days after infection. Untreated, a woman with HIV has a 25 percent chance of passing HIV to her baby during pregnancy or breastfeeding. With antiretroviral therapy and without breastfeeding, it’s less than 2 percent.

In the 1990s, a 20-year-old person infected with HIV had a life expectancy of 19 years. By 2011, it had improved to 53 years.

What’s the HIV window period?

As soon as you’re infected with HIV, it starts to reproduce in your body. Your immune system reacts to the antigens by producing antibodies. The time between exposure to HIV and when it becomes detectable in your blood is called the HIV window period.

If you take an HIV test during the window period, it’s likely you’ll receive a negative result. But you can still transmit the virus to others. If you think you may have been exposed to HIV, but tested negative during this time, you should repeat the test in three months to confirm.

About 97 percent of people develop detectable HIV antibodies within 21 to 84 days after infection. Some may take longer. A nucleic acid test can detect the virus in the blood as early as seven to 28 days after infection. This test is expensive and rarely given unless you’re at particularly high risk or already have symptoms of HIV.

If you’ve been exposed to HIV, but test negative during the window, you might benefit from pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). A combination of HIV-approved drugs, PrEP can lower the risk of contracting or spreading HIV when taken consistently.

HIV life expectancy: Know the facts;

In the 1990s, a 20-year-old person with HIV had a 19-year life expectancy. By 2011, a 20-year-old person with HIV could expect to live another 53 years.

It’s a dramatic improvement, due in large part to antiretroviral therapy. With proper treatment, many people with HIV can expect a normal or near normal lifespan.

Of course, many things affect life expectancy when you have HIV. Among them are:

• ·        CD4 cell count
• ·        viral load
• ·        serious HIV-related illnesses, including hepatitis infection
• ·        injection drug use
• ·        smoking
• ·        access and adherence to treatment
• ·        other health conditions
• ·        age

Where you live matters. People in the United States and other developed countries are more likely to have access to antiretroviral therapy. Consistent use of these drugs helps prevent HIV from progressing to AIDS.

Worldwide, there are approximately 36.7 million people living with HIV. Only about 46 percent have access to antiretroviral therapy.

When HIV advances to AIDS, life expectancy without treatment is about three years.

An individual’s outlook depends on a variety of factors, such as:

• ·     development of opportunistic disease and infection
• ·    treatment options
• ·   response to treatment
• ·  adherence to therapy
•   Life expectancy statistics are just general guidelines. Consult your doctor to learn more about what you can expect.