Management of STIs and HIV/AIDs

Management of STIs and HIV/AIDs

Risky behaviors can be avoided by

1. Practicing safe sex
2. Applying non-penetrative sex e.g. kissing, hugging, etc.
3. Using delaying technique e.g. "I'm required at home just now, let's meet tomorrow"
4. Using discouraging/negative words e.g. "I'm HIV positive"
5. Discouraging peer pressure
6. Engaging in sports and games which distract one's mind from concentrating on sex

Necessary skills for avoiding risky behaviors, practices and situations

1. Avoid sexual intercourse. It is possible to live a healthy normal life without having sexual intercourse.
2. Use a condom correctly every time you have vaginal sex. It is often hard to be sure that your partner is truly faithful and unaffected.
3. Avoid multiple partners. Don't have more than one sexual partner.
4. Avoid alcohol and drug abuse as they affect your decision making ability thus leading you to unsafe sex.
5. Avoid sharing needles and other skin piercing tools. Needles can be contaminated and HIV can survive in a syringe for a month or longer.
6. Avoid contracting other STIs because they increase the chances of HIV and AIDS infection. For those who have been infected, they must get proper treatment from a qualified medical practitioner.
7. Avoid risky behaviors such as going to night clubs, negative peer pressure and taking alcohol or drug abuse. These might put you in danger of being infected.
8. Prevent mother to child transmission by:
   • counselling and treating the mother
   • using caesarean section as a mode of delivery
   • using alternative feeding (milk) instead of breastfeeding
   • not sharing breast milk
9. Prevent transmission through organ and tissue transplants by screening both the donor and the patient.
10. Prevent minor injuries, which might lead to infection. This can be achieved through:
    • use of gloves
    • use of sterile instruments
    • avoiding direct contact with contaminated body fluids
    • proper handling of contaminated human waste
    • decontaminating soiled surfaces and linen
11. Effective treatment of the infected through:
    • administering anti-retroviral therapy
    • prompt treatment of opportunistic infections