VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 2 • FEBRUARY 2014
A SLICE OF ORANGE Refreshing Your Health
BEATING THE AIDS VIRUS, PART 2 • The bug stops here • Treatment once infected • Consistent and correct condom use
Beating the AIDS virus, part 2 IS THE FIGHT AGAINST HIV/AIDS HOPELESS? FAR FROM IT. LEARN HOW TO BEAT THIS BUG IN THE BUD.
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In last month’s issue, we armed ourselves with knowledge about the growing enemy called HIV/AIDS. We learned how the virus is transmitted, and how it is not. We also learned how important it is to know your status, since the virus can initially cause no symptoms.
A SLICE OF ORANGE
VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 2 • FEBRUARY 2014
Consistent and correct condom use Like any other item you buy in a store, condoms should be used, and used correctly, so that you can reap its benefits. Many experts recommend that condoms should be used for vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Here are some tips you should know about the trusty condom: Before using: 1. Store condoms in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. 2. Check the expiration date on the condom. Do not store inside your wallet. This can cause tears. 3. When opening the package, do so carefully. Do not use your teeth.
The bug stops here In this second part, we will learn how to stop
Let’s go through this one by one.
the advance of this virus, and it all begins with preventing transmission.
Abstinence – A person who does not
4. If the condom looks damaged, discol-
have sex dramatically reduces the risk of ac-
ored, or brittle, do not use.
With HIV being a primarily sexually trans-
quiring HIV. The only way for an abstinent
mitted virus, prevention of this route of
person to get HIV is through blood transfer,
transmission is a major pillar of HIV control.
which is rare compared to sexual contact.
Using the condom: A
B
According to Dr. Irces G. Bautista, a diplomate of the Philippine College of Occu-
Be faithful – If one cannot abstain from
pational Medicine, and the occupational
sex, the next best thing is to have sex with
health physician of ActiveLink, the Philip-
only one person, one who is preferably mo-
pine National AIDS Council (PNAC) recom-
nogamous as well. Assuming that both part-
A. With one hand, pinch the tip of the con-
mends a 5-pronged approach to controlling
ners are free of HIV, there is almost no way
dom to remove air from tip. This will leave
HIV. This approach is the A-B-C-D-E of AIDS
that any of them could catch the virus.
Prevention: Careful sex – One has to be careful not
room for the ejaculation afterwards. B. Using the other hand, carefully unroll the condom up to the base of the penis. The penis has to be erect when you do this.
A - Abstinence
to transfer infected fluids during sex. Specifi-
C. You may want to add lubricant to the
B - Be faithful
cally, there should be great care not to trans-
outside of the condom to avoid excess fric-
C - Careful Sex
fer seminal fluid during sex. The stimulated
tion that may cause breakage. Use only
D - Don’t share needles
male sex organ secretes seminal fluid even
water-based lubricants. Oil-based lubri-
E - Education and Information
before ejaculation. It also secretes seminal fluid even when the man has had a vasectomy. This makes the withdrawal method and
cants such as petroleum jelly, baby oil, or lotion, may weaken the latex. After using: 1. Hold the base of the condom as you pull
the vasectomy very poor ways of controlling
out to prevent the condom from slipping off.
HIV transmission. Other contraceptive meth-
2. Remove the condom and throw away in
ods such as pills and injectables also do not
the trash, not the toilet.
A SLICE OF ORANGE
VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 2 • FEBRUARY 2014
prevent seminal fluid transfer. Furthermore,
Education and information – HIV/
The Department of Health, under its HIV
even certain barrier methods such as the dia-
AIDS is a lifestyle disease. Knowing what to
control program, currently provides treatment
phragm, the cervical cap, and the cervical
do and what not to do is important in pre-
for people infected with HIV. The program
sponge, still allow seminal transfer—and thus
venting transmission. Knowledge also helps
also ensures complete confidentiality of the
are poor methods. Right now, the most reli-
combat stigma, which drives people who
patient. If you want to avail of this program,
able method of barrier is the condom—and
are at risk of transmission, or those already
it should be used consistently and correctly.
infected, from seeking proper medical help.
When condoms are used consistently by a couple in which one person is infected, the rate of HIV infection is less than 1% per year. Female condoms may also help, but they are not popular in the Philippines. Don’t share needles – This advice by the PNAC is specifically targeted towards people who inject illegal drugs intravenously (IV). While this may not apply to the general population, it has been found that IV drug users are a vulnerable population in acquiring HIV. For these people, it is best to stop IV drug use, and if not, to always use new, unshared needles.
the January 2014 issue. As of now, HIV still does not have a com-
Treatment once infected
plete cure. However, with these treatments,
Untreated, a person with HIV can develop
hundreds of Filipino people with HIV are now
AIDS after several years. However, there
able to live healthy lives without developing
are antiviral treatments, called antiretrovirals
AIDS.
or ARV, available that can help prevent this from happening by preventing the replication of the virus. Treatments usually contain a cocktail or combination of three antiviral drugs. This cocktail ensures that it can effectively control both viral replication and
In addition, people with HIV need to have good nutrition, safe water, basic hygiene, as well as psychosocial support and counselling. These will help prevent other infections and greatly improve quality of life.
the development of resistance to treatment.
The picture of HIV/AIDS is not as hopeless as
Furthermore, treatment of a pregnant woman
what it was in the 1980s. However, knowl-
infected with HIV will significantly reduce the
edge, acceptance, open-mindedness, and
likelihood that the virus will be transmitted to
vigilance will help to eventually beat the bug
the infant.
in the bud.
Looking to enhance your corporate healthcare benefits? E-mail us at benefits@activelinkbenefits.com. The information in this newsletter is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Consult a doctor for all matters relating to your health, particularly for symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. © 2014 ActiveLink
Benefits Made Better
please visit the HIV testing sites mentioned in
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A Slice of Orange
is a newsletter designed to help clarify basic health information and offer juicy tips on uplifting your health.
Editorial team Alvin Delfin Christine Llenes-Delfin Ivan Olegario, MD