Management and Control of HIV/AIDS and STIs

Prevention and control of HIV/AIDS

1. Avoid promiscuous sex, partner prostitutes, and commercial sex workers. Avoid irresponsible sexual behavior, abstain from sexual intercourse (if not married), be faithful to one sexual partner, and use a condom during sexual intercourse.
2. Wear disposable gloves when touching people's body fluids.
3. Use sterilized instruments during surgery, circumcision, and delivery.
4. Only use screened blood and organs for transfusion and transplants.
5. Go for HIV testing to know your status.
6. Do not share toothbrushes and shaving blades.
7. Give antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) to people with HIV and AIDS. These drugs help slow down infections.
8. Attend prenatal clinics during pregnancy to receive treatment that prevents mother-to-child transmission.
9. HIV-positive mothers should not breastfeed their newborn babies.
10. Follow the ABC rule: Abstain, Be faithful, and use Condoms.

Care and support for people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA)

People living with HIV and AIDS can live healthy lives for a long time if they get proper care and support. We can care for them and support them in the following ways:

1. Give them well-balanced meals in adequate quantities.
2. Allow them to rest when they feel unwell.
3. Take them to a health centre as soon as they start developing signs of illness.
4. Behave in a loving way towards them and listen to them.
5. Counsel them to stop behaviour that worsens their condition.
6. Do not discriminate against them or stigmatize them.
7. Do not hide them from the public or deny them education or health services.
8. Do not chase them away from home.
9. Do not refuse to share utensils or rooms with them.
10. Care and support gives People Living With HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) hope, good health, peace of mind, long life, strength to work, and comfort.
11. Discrimination leads to depression, loneliness, and loss of performance at work and school.

Importance of health care for STIs and STDs

1. Early testing and treatment will help treat or slow down the development of the infection or disease in its early stage.
2. Proper treatment can save lives and prevent long-term effects such as infertility.
3. Healthcare professionals can give appropriate counseling on how to manage the infections.
4. Testing gives peace of mind.
5. Proper health care reduces the chance of infecting other people.