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Infections That Increase The Chances Of HIV

By Sowmiya Prasad

HIV or the Human Immunodeficiency Virus is the virus responsible for causing AIDS in those people infected by the virus. AIDS is caused in the advanced stage of the infection. The virus destroy the immune system of the person as soon as it enters the body. It weakens the body within a few days and the body becomes incapable of fighting the virus. However, if the HIV infection is diagnosed in the earlier stage, with proper medication, the severity can be reduced. A person infected by HIV is prone to infect people around him rapidly.

There are several ways of acquiring the infection. HIV is prominent in fluids found in the body which includes breast milk, vaginal secretions, blood, and semen. The primary mode of transmission of HIV is through sexual contact. The other modes include needle sharing, during childbirth, and more. World Aids Day is celebrated on December 1st every year to increase awareness about the pandemic. People around the world join hands to fight against the deadly infection.

Infections That Increase HIV

HIV infection is considerably preventable with a few measures. Careful sex, that is, using condoms during sex, use of disposable needles, etc., will reduce the risk of HIV infection. Here are a list of infections that may increase the chances of HIV.

Beware of HPV
HPV, also known as Human Papilloma Virus is one which causes sexually transmitted infections. It is also the one which increases the chances of HIV infection. The studies relating the link between HPV and HIV infection were studied on men, heterosexuals and women. HPV is also responsible for causing cervical cancer after sex. This is also one of the common Sexually Transmitted Infections prevalent round the globe. So beware of those HPV's and take caution to prevent HIV.

Sores on Genitals
Genital infections and those sores on genitals may increase the risk of HIV infection. HSV-2 or the Herpes Simplex Virus are the one's responsible for causing genital sores. The sores on the genitals can be treated, however, studies show that even treated genital sores may increase the risk of HIV infection. The findings of the study establishes a link between the HSV-2 and the increased risk of acquiring HIV. The HSV-2 increases the chances of acquiring HIV infection up to three fold.

Fear those who make use of the opportunity
There are a special set of infections called the opportunistic infections. These infections take advantage of the weakness of the immune system in the people infected by HIV. These opportunistic infections are most often the cause of death in the people with HIV infection. Hence it is imperative to lower the risk of these opportunistic infections once you are diagnosed with HIV. One of the ways to reduce the risk is to go for antiretroviral therapy. The treatment may show considerable effect on reducing the risk of opportunistic infections. The effects of these types of infections may be spread all over the body or sometimes may remain local. Kaposi's sarcoma and candidasis are some of the opportunistic infections.

A few words about World AIDS Day
Speeches, forums and campaigning forms the main agenda of the World AIDS Day. The theme of the World AIDS DAY varies each year for the year 2013 it is "Getting to Zero: Zero HIV infections". AIDS has killed so many worldwide and the stunning statistics urges the need to make people aware of HIV infection and its consequences. The theme is chosen each year for World AIDS Day by the UNAIDS in consultation with various global health agencies. It is also to develop a commitment among the leaders at the global level to take steps towards prevention and treatment of HIV in a better way.

Story first published: Saturday, November 30, 2013, 21:34 [IST]
Read more about: disease