IF WE WAIT, THEY WILL WASTE

HIV AND AIDS VULNERABLE STATE IN NIGERIA TODAY

In Nigeria, the HIV prevalence rate among adults ages 15–49 is 0.9 percent. Nigeria has the second-largest number of people living with HIV.^[1] The HIV epidemic in Nigeria is complex and varies widely by region. In some states, the epidemic is more concentrated and driven by high-risk behaviors, while other states have more generalized epidemics that are sustained primarily by multiple sexual partnerships in the general population. Youth and young adults in Nigeria are particularly vulnerable to HIV, with young women at higher risk than young men. There are many risk factors that contribute to the spread of HIV, including prostitution, high-risk practices among itinerant workers, high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STI), clandestine high-risk heterosexual and homosexual practices, international trafficking of women, and irregular blood screening.^[2]
Nigeria is emerging from a period of military rule that accounted for almost 28 of the 47 years since independence in 1960. Consequently, the policy environment is not fully democratized. Civil society was weak during the military era, and its role in advocacy and lobbying remains weak. The size of the population and the nation pose logistical and political challenges particularly due to the political determination of the Nigerian Government to achieve health care equity across geopolitical zones. The necessity to coordinate programs simultaneously at the federal, state and local levels introduces complexity into planning. The large private sector is largely unregulated and, more importantly, has no formal connection to the public health system where most HIV interventions are delivered. Training and human resource development is severely limited in all sectors and will hamper program implementation at all levels. Care and support is limited because existing staff are overstretched and most have insufficient training in key technical areas to provide complete HIV services.^[2]

That is the reason why we are calling all the government sectors, private entities and all the public health parastaters that can help the less privileged people that are dying, weeping and suffering everyday of their life’s  as a result of them been affected by HIV AND AIDS in our society. The holy word said that whosoever you have privileged to help in the society, that if you fail to do it in our society is a SIN

This blog is been created with our level of income, we are the young Nigeria youth that have seal and passion toward this helpless people. We are very full of pity by what we have seen, especially in the northern area of our this great nation of Nigeria. We are not soliciting for money or any material things for our own personal use. But we are advocating on behalf of these people, to those that have more than enough to cater for hundred HIV AND AIDS PATIENT without feeling it in their purse. If you are so kind citizen of Nigeria that have been moved by this our little post. You want to join our goal oriented team. Pursuing the goal and objective of solicitation for  people dying of this pandemic called  “disease that don’t hear drug “ You can reach us by our e-mail address. Niyi4real25@gmail.com.  The non-govermental organization in our society that carry the same mission and vision is not left out. You can reach us , and we will be the link between your organization and those that need the help. We know this and we shall always say it that. TOGETHER WE MUST HELP OUR NATION.

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY AMBASSADOR ADEBAYO OMONIYI OLUWASEUN, THE FOUNDER OF FREE FROM HIV AND AIDS FOUNDATION.

DO YOU KNOW THAT DISCRIMINATION CAN CAUSE A LOT OF DAMAGES?

         LET US STOP DISCRIMINATION AND    STIGMATIZATION

Discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS ('PLHIV') is the experience of prejudice against PLHIV which falls within the purview of the law. Discrimination is one manifestation of stigma. Stigmatizing, attitudes, and behaviors may fall under the rubric of discrimination depending on the legislation of a particular country.
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HIV/AIDS stigma exists around the world in a variety of many ways, including ostracism, rejection, discrimination and avoidance of HIV infected people; compulsory HIV testing without prior consent or protection of confidentiality; violence against HIV infected individuals or people who are perceived to be infected with HIV; the quarantine of HIV infected individuals[1] and, in some cases, the loss of property rights when a spouse dies.[2] Stigma-related violence or the fear of violence prevents many people from seeking HIV testing, returning for their results, or securing treatment, possibly turning what could be a manageable chronic illness into a death sentence and perpetuating the spread of HIV.[3]
HIV/AIDS stigma has been further divided into the following three categories:
Instrumental AIDS stigma—a reflection of the fear and apprehension that are likely to be associated with any deadly and transmissible illness.[4]
Symbolic AIDS stigma—the use of HIV/AIDS to express attitudes toward the social groups or lifestyles perceived to be associated with the disease.[4]
Courtesy AIDS stigma—stigmatization of people connected to the issue of HIV/AIDS or HIV- positive people.[5]
Often, HIV/AIDS stigma or discrimination is expressed in accordance with one or more other stigmas, particularly those associated with homosexuality, bisexuality, promiscuity, sex workers, and intravenous drug use.[6]
In many developed countries, there is an association between HIV/AIDS and homosexuality or bisexuality, and this association is correlated with higher levels of sexual prejudice such as anti-homosexual attitudes.[7] There is also a perceived association between AIDS and men who have sex with men (MSM), including sex between uninfected men.[4]
Some forms of serious discrimination can include: being expelled from school, being denied housing, having to pay extra rent, and job loss. Persons who have, or are perceived to have, HIV/AIDS, experience discrimination in various aspects of life. In the United States, disability laws prohibit HIV/AIDS discrimination in housing, employment, education, and access to health and social services. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity enforces laws prohibiting housing discrimination based on actual or perceived[8] HIV/AIDS status.[9]
Structural violence
Main article: Structural violence
Structural violence is an important factor in the treatment of people living with AIDS. Paul Farmer argues that social determinants affecting the lives of certain cultural groups alter their risk of infections and their ability to access treatment.[10] For example, access to prophylaxis, access to antiretroviral therapy, and susceptibility to illness and malnutrition are all factors which change people's overall risk of illness due to HIV/AIDS. This causes large difference in the rate of illness due to HIV/AIDS in various social/cultural groups. Farmer also argues that social intervention may be key in altering the gap in treatment between these groups of people. Educating doctors on the interactions between social life and healthcare would help level out the injustices in healthcare.
Research
Current research has found that discrimination against people living with HIV is a contributing factor for delayed initiation of HIV treatment.[11] As many as 20-40% of Americans who are HIV+ do not begin a care regimen within the first 6 months after diagnosis.[12] When individuals begin treatment late in the progression of HIV (when CD4+ T cell counts are below 500 cells/µL), they have 1.94 times the risk of mortality compared to those whose treatment is initiated when CD4+ T cells are still about 500 cells/µL.[13] In a 2011 study published in AIDS Patient Care and STDs (sample size 215), most of the barriers to care described involve stigma and shame.[14] The most common reasons of not seeking treatment are “I didn’t want to tell anyone I was HIV-positive”, “I didn’t want to think about being HIV-positive”, and “I was too embarrassed/ashamed to go”.[14] The presence and perpetuation of HIV stigma prevents many who are able to obtain treatment from feeling comfortable about addressing their health status.[14]

BE FREE FROM HIV AND AIDS

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  What Is HIV/AIDS?

  You may have heard about HIV and AIDS, but many people don't know the basic facts about them.
  HIV causes AIDS. HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It breaks down the immune system — our body's protection against disease. HIV causes people to become sick with infections that normally wouldn't affect them.
  AIDS is short for acquired immune deficiency syndrome. It is the most advanced stage of HIV disease.
  In the United States, more than 980,000 cases of AIDS have been reported to the government. About 40,000 women and men in the United States get HIV each year.
  
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  What Are the Symptoms of HIV?

  Some people develop HIV symptoms shortly after being infected. But it usually takes more than 10 years.
  There are several stages of HIV disease. The first HIV symptoms may include swollen glands in the throat, armpit, or groin. Other early HIV symptoms include slight fever, headaches, fatigue, and muscle aches. These symptoms may last for only a few weeks. Then there are usually no HIV symptoms for many years. That is why it can be hard to know if you have HIV.
  
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  What Are the Symptoms of AIDS?

  AIDS symptoms appear in the most advanced stage of HIV disease. In addition to a badly damaged immune system, a person with AIDS may also have
  

  • thrush — a thick, whitish coating of the tongue or mouth that is caused by a yeast infection and sometimes accompanied by a sore throat
  • severe or recurring vaginal yeast infections
  • chronic pelvic inflammatory disease 
  • severe and frequent infections
  • periods of extreme and unexplained tiredness that may be combined with headaches, lightheadedness, and/or dizziness
  • quick loss of more than 10 pounds of weight that is not due to increased physical exercise or dieting
  • bruising more easily than normal
  • long periods of frequent diarrhea
  • frequent fevers and/or night sweats
  • swelling or hardening of glands located in the throat, armpit, or groin
  • periods of persistent, deep, dry coughing
  • increasing shortness of breath
  • the appearance of discolored or purplish growths on the skin or inside the mouth
  • unexplained bleeding from growths on the skin, from the mouth, nose, anus, or vagina, or from any opening in the body
  • frequent or unusual skin rashes
  • severe numbness or pain in the hands or feet, the loss of muscle control and reflex, paralysis, or loss of muscular strength
  • confusion, personality change, or decreased mental abilities
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  How Can I Know If I Have HIV?

  You cannot know for sure if you have HIV until you get tested. About 1 out of 5 people with HIV don't know they are infected, so testing is very important. Read more about HIV testing.
  Find out if you should get tested for HIV with The Check.
  
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  Is There a Cure for HIV/AIDS?

  There is currently no cure for HIV/AIDS. But there are treatments for people living with HIV/AIDS.
  If you have HIV/AIDS, you can take combinations of medicines called "cocktails." The drug cocktails are designed to strengthen the immune system to keep HIV from developing into AIDS or to relieve AIDS symptoms. These drugs are often very expensive, may have serious and very uncomfortable side effects, and may not be available to everyone. They only work for some people and may only work for limited periods of time.
  But thanks to "cocktails" for the immune system and improved therapies for the symptoms of AIDS, people are now able to live with HIV/AIDS for many years. New treatments and research may help people live even longer.
  
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  How Is HIV Spread?

  People have lots of questions about the ways you can get HIV. HIV is transmitted in blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. The most common ways HIV is spread are by
  

  • having vaginal or anal intercourse without a condom with someone who has HIV/AIDS
  • sharing needles or syringes with someone who has HIV/AIDS
  • being deeply punctured with a needle or surgical instrument contaminated with HIV
  • getting HIV-infected blood, semen, or vaginal secretions into open wounds or sores

  Babies born to women with HIV/AIDS can get HIV from their mothers during birth or from breastfeeding.
  HIV is not transmitted by simple casual contact such as kissing, sharing drinking glasses, or hugging.
  

  Getting and Giving Blood Some people are concerned about the risk of HIV when getting or giving blood. Hospitals, blood banks, and health care providers in the United States are extremely careful. Syringes and needles are only used once. And blood is always tested before it's banked. So, today, there is practically no risk of getting or spreading HIV by giving or receiving blood.

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  How Can I Prevent Getting or Spreading HIV?

  There are many ways you can protect yourself from HIV. The surest way is to abstain from sexual intercourse and from sharing needles and "works" if you use steroids, hormones, or other drugs.
  Many people have been infected with HIV by sharing needles. If you are using needles for steroids, hormones, or other drugs
  

  • Never share needles.
  • Get into a needle-exchange program.
  • Be sure to disinfect the needles you use.

  Don't share personal items that may have blood on them. This includes toothbrushes, razors, needles for piercing or tattooing, and blades for cutting or scarring.
  If you choose to have sex, have safer sex to reduce the risk of exchanging blood, semen, or vaginal fluids with your sex partner(s).
  

  Safer Sex and HIV Some kinds of sex play are "safer" because they have lower risk of infection than others. "Safer-sex" activities are those we choose to lower our risk of exchanging blood, semen, or vaginal fluids — the body fluids most likely to spread HIV. Each of us must decide what risks we will take for sexual pleasure.

  Here are some common sexual behaviors grouped according to risk.
  VERY LOW RISK — No reported HIV infections due to these behaviors
  

  • fantasy, cyber sex, or phone sex
  • using clean sex toys
  • masturbation or mutual masturbation
  • manual stimulation of one another
  • touching or massage
  • fondling or body rubbing
  • kissing
  • oral sex on a man with a condom
  • oral sex on a woman with a Glyde dam or plastic wrap

  LOW RISK — Very few reported HIV infections due to these behaviors
  

  • deep kissing that causes bleeding
  • vaginal intercourse with a condom or female condom
  • anal intercourse with a condom or female condom
  • oral sex

  (Try not to get semen, vaginal fluids, or blood into the mouth or on broken skin.)
  HIGH RISK — Millions of reported HIV infections due to these behaviors
  

  • vaginal intercourse without a condom
  • anal intercourse without a condom

  Talk with your health care provider about testing and treatment for STDs. Women and men with open sores from herpes and other infections get HIV more easily than other people.
  
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  Where Can I Get a Test for HIV?

  Tests are available from Planned Parenthood health centers and most physicians, hospitals, and health clinics. Local, state, and federal health departments offer free testing. You can also buy an HIV home test kit.
  Read more about HIV testing.
  

  Should I be tested? HIV tests are a normal part of health care. If you think you may have been exposed to HIV, talk with a health care provider about testing. Talking about what risks you've taken can help you decide whether testing is right for you.

  • Want to get tested for HIV?Find a health center
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  What If I Have HIV/AIDS? 

  • Consult a health care provider who has experience treating HIV/AIDS.
  • Inform sex partner(s) who may also be infected.
  • Protect your sex partner(s) from HIV by following safer sex guidelines.
  • Do not share needles or "works."
  • Get psychological support with a therapist and/or join a support group for people with HIV/AIDS.
  • Get information and social and legal support from an HIV/AIDS service organization.
  • Don't share your HIV status with people who do not need to know. People with HIV may still face discrimination. Only tell people you can count on for support.

  Maintain a strong immune system with regular medical checkups and a healthy lifestyle:
  

  • Eat well.
  • Get enough rest and exercise.
  • Avoid illegal or recreational drugs, including alcohol and tobacco.
  • Learn how to manage stress effectively.

  Consider using medicines that may slow the progress of the infection.