PRIHATIN was set up in 2003 in Penang to help those who are infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. The numbers of HIV/AIDS cases have increased to 55,000 cases in in 2003 and now in 2005 have reached to 65,000 cases. However, these are only reported cases and an estimated figure will be 6 times the reported cases. Most of those infected are drug users who are sharing needles. The government of Malaysia will be trying our an needle exchange and condoms distributing programmes in 2006 to combat the rise of HIV/AIDS cases.

HIV/AIDS does not KILL, DISCRIMINATION does.

Statistik menunjukkan bahawa lebih ramai lelaki menghidap HIV/AIDS

Remaja lelaki berumur di bawah 25 tahun lebih berisko dijangkiti HIV dengan nisbah 1:4

5% jangkitan HIV di dunia adalah melalui perkongsian jarun suntikan dadah

Berkongsi jarum suntikan dadah boleh mendedahkandiri kepada jangkitan HIV

Lebih 80% jangkitan HIV di dunia adalah melalui perhubungan seks

Pasangan seks yang ramai boleh mendedahkan diri kepada jangkitan HIV

Lelaki yang HIV Positif boleh menjangkiti pasangan seksnya yang terdiri daripada wanita dan lelaki

Kestiaan pada pasangan dapat membendung HIV/AIDS

Hidup sengsara kerana AIDS

Kerana AIDS, kanak-kanak menjadi yatim piatu

Jangan musnahkan kebahagian keluarga anda. Jauhilah aktivi-aktiviti yang menyebabkan AIDS

Lelaki - Anda bertanggungjawab melindungi keluarga anda daripada HIV/AIDS

Statistic shows that more men than women are infected by HIV/AIDS.

Male youths below 25 years of age have higher risk of being infected by HIV in the ratio of 1 :

5% of the HIV infections are through needles sharing by drug addicts.

Sharing needles is one the causes for HIV infection.

About 80% of HIV infections are through sexual activities.

Multiple sex partners increases the possibilities of HIV infection.

Male HIV positive can infect his sexual partners regardless of male or female.

Faithfulness to one's spouse can prevent the spread of HIV

AIDS cost suffering in lives.

Many children become orphans because of AIDS

Do not destroy the happiness of  the family because of activities that lead to HIV/AIDS infection.

Men - you are responsible to protect your family from the HIV/AIDS infection.

What is it like to live with HIV infection?

Joseph Wolfe, age 28, lives in Atlanta. He gave WebMD permission to use his name. Why? He feels that by refusing to be anonymous, his message will have a greater impact on others.

This is Wolfe's story:

"I was diagnosed in May of last year. I gave blood at work, and then the blood bank called and said there were complications with my donation. Then they told me to contact the health department, and they made me come in and give another blood sample.

"It was very traumatic to learn I had HIV. Waking up, it was the first thing on your mind, and going to sleep it was the last thing on your mind. You forget for a second, then it hits you in the stomach like a ton of bricks.

"Some days I think I need to plan for my retirement. Other days I think I don't need to worry, I won't live that long. But it is mostly good now that I am getting all the facts. My doctor puts into perspective how good the medicines are and how the medical field has advanced in the last 20 years.

"I was put on drug therapy right away. I did a little research on the medications and their implications. But I pretty much trusted my doctor's judgment. I am taking Reyataz, Videx, Viread, Emtriva, and Norvir. The first day I was scheduled to take the drugs, I was with my boyfriend visiting his parents out of town. You read so much about nausea and diarrhea, I was scared to death. But it was great. Nothing happened at all. I don't have any side effects so far.

"I take my drugs once a day, in the morning when I first get up. Some people tell me they forget their doses or skip them sometimes. But for me, I know my life is on the line, and that makes it easier to remember.

AIDS alternative names: human immunodeficient virus infection, HIV, Human immunodeficiency virus

AIDS definition:  AIDS is a viral infection caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that gradually destroys the immune system.  AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. When HIV infection becomes advanced it often is referred to as AIDS. It generally occurs when the CD4 count is below 200/mL and is characterized by the appearance of opportunistic infections.

AIDS - acquired immunodeficiency syndrome - was first reported in the United States in 1981 and has since become a major worldwide epidemic. AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). By killing or damaging cells of the body's immune system, HIV progressively destroys the body's ability to fight infections and certain cancers.

People diagnosed with AIDS may get life-threatening diseases called opportunistic infections, which are caused by microbes such as viruses or bacteria that usually do not make healthy people sick. HIV is spread most commonly by having unprotected sex with an infected partner. The virus can enter the body through the lining of the vagina, vulva, penis, rectum, or mouth during sex. HIV also is spread through contact with infected blood. Before donated blood was screened for evidence of HIV infection and before heat-treating techniques to destroy HIV in blood products were introduced, HIV was transmitted through transfusions of contaminated blood or blood components. Today, because of blood screening and heat treatment, the risk of getting HIV from such transfusions is extremely small.

HIV frequently is spread among injection drug users by the sharing of needles or syringes contaminated with very small quantities of blood from someone infected with the virus. It is rare, however, for a patient to give HIV to a health care worker or vice-versa by accidental sticks with contaminated needles or other medical instruments. Women can transmit HIV to their babies during pregnancy or birth. Approximately one-quarter to one-third of all untreated pregnant women infected with HIV will pass the infection to their babies. HIV also can be spread to babies through the breast milk of mothers infected with the virus. If the mother takes the drug AZT during pregnancy, she can significantly reduce the chances that her baby will get infected with HIV. If health care providers treat mothers with AZT and deliver their babies by cesarean section, the chances of the baby being infected can be reduced to a rate of 1 percent.

A study sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) in Uganda found a highly effective and safe drug for preventing transmission of HIV from an infected mother to her newborn. This regimen is more affordable and practical than any other examined to date. Results from the study show that a single oral dose of the antiretroviral drug nevirapine (NVP) given to an HIV-infected woman in labor and another to her baby within three days of birth reduces the transmission rate of HIV by half compared with a similar short course of AZT.

Although researchers have found HIV in the saliva of infected people, there is no evidence that the virus is spread by contact with saliva. Laboratory studies reveal that saliva has natural properties that limit the power of HIV to infect. Research studies of people infected with HIV have found no evidence that the virus is spread to others through saliva by kissing. No one knows, however, whether so-called "deep" kissing, involving the exchange of large amounts of saliva, or oral intercourse increase the risk of infection. Scientists also have found no evidence that HIV is spread through sweat, tears, urine, or feces.

Studies of families of HIV-infected people have shown clearly that HIV is not spread through casual contact such as the sharing of food utensils, towels and bedding, swimming pools, telephones, or toilet seats. HIV is not spread by biting insects such as mosquitoes or bedbugs.

Women are vulnerable to HIV

KNOW YOUR PARTNER KNOW YOUR RIGHT

AVOID - extra-marital SEx and Sharing of Needles for Drugs

AIDS IS ASSOCIATED WITH LIFESTYLE

- It is wise to be cautious

- Value your chasity

-  Avoid drugs and immoral activities

All pregnant mothers are advised to undergo the HIV test

MAJOR MODE OF TRANSMISSION :

1.   Sexual Intercourse with a person infected with HIV.

2.   Sharing needles and syringes in the abuse of drugs.

3.   Through blood transfusion, transfer of blood products and organs       which are tainted with HIV.

4.   From HIV-positive mothers to her child during pregnancy, in labour or through breast feeding.

Should you discover that you are HIV positive, avoid getting pregnant.

If you are already pregnant, continue with the pregnancy. However, it is of paramount  importance to take proper care during the pregnancy and during the delivery of the child. Follow the advice of the doctor treating you and take the medication prescribed such as AZT to reduce the risk of your unborn baby beng infected with HIV. Get the advice of your doctor regarding post-natal care for you and your newborn.

CARING FOR HIV POSITIVE MOTHERS AND THEIR BABIES

If you are found to be HIV positive during pregnancy, please see you doctor immediately and obtain counselling. Take medication (such as AZT) as prescribed  by your doctor. This can reduce the risks of your inborn baby getting infected with the HIV virus.

If you do not have it, you cannot pass it on...