Dr

Written by S. M. Akerkar


Diagnosis of HIV DISEASE--

What is ELISA test for HIV ?-- Whenever any organism entersrepparttar body,repparttar 115599 immune system produces antibodies to it. Hence presence of these antibodies is an indirect evidence ofrepparttar 115600 infection. ELISA test for HIV is a test that detectsrepparttar 115601 antibodies to HIV. A positive ELISA test is therefore an indirect evidence of HIV infection. Howeverrepparttar 115602 body takes 6 weeks to 3 months to produce antibodies. Thus even after infectionrepparttar 115603 test becomes positive only after 6 weeks to 3 months. This period is called asrepparttar 115604 window period. During this periodrepparttar 115605 patient is infective butrepparttar 115606 test is negative. Should a single ELISA test positive report be taken as an evidence of HIV infection ?-- In case of ELISA positive; eitherrepparttar 115607 test is repeated or a more specific test like Western Blot is done to confirmrepparttar 115608 diagnosis.

What is Western Blot test? This is a more specific test for diagnosis of HIV infection. It is generally used to confirm a positive ELISA report.

Dr

Written by S.M.Akerkar


Transmission & prevention of HIV --

How is HIV transmitted ? HIV is found in substantial number in semen, blood & vaginal secretions. Hence if any of theses secretions enterrepparttar body of a healthy person, thenrepparttar 115598 infection can be transmitted. Since semen & vaginal secretions are sexual fluids, unprotected penetrative sex with HIV infected person is an important route of transmission. This isrepparttar 115599 predominant route of transmission ofrepparttar 115600 infection. Blood can be gain entry in another body during blood transfusion or due to sharing of used needles. The latter is common in intravenous drug abusers. It can also occur if needles & syringes are used without proper sterilization inrepparttar 115601 hospitals. HIV can also be transmitted fromrepparttar 115602 mother torepparttar 115603 fetus. Can kissing lead to HIV transmission ?-- Norepparttar 115604 concentration of HIV in saliva is very low. Large quantities of saliva are unlikely to be exchanged in kissing. Even ifrepparttar 115605 saliva contains HIV, it does not get transmitted unless there are some cuts/ bruises inrepparttar 115606 mouth. Hence kissing is unlikely to lead to HIV transmission.

Can sharing of shaving blades lead to transmission of HIV ?-- During shaving, minor cuts are likely to occur. Many are very small, even invisible to naked eye. If a blade is used on an infected person some amount of blood remains onrepparttar 115607 blade. Ifrepparttar 115608 same blade is used for a healthy person then HIV inrepparttar 115609 blood can gain entry inrepparttar 115610 healthy person. However HIV does not survive outsiderepparttar 115611 body for a long time. Hence risk is low. Shared blades increaserepparttar 115612 risk of contracting other diseases like hepatitis which can survive for a much longer time outsiderepparttar 115613 body. It is always advisable not to share shaving blades.

Cont'd on page 2 ==>
 
ImproveHomeLife.com © 2005
Terms of Use