AIDS for Public Education

HIV / AIDS education to the community is still very much needed. Therefore, the hoax about HIV / AIDS must be fought.

Hoax or hoaxes are now easily spread, especially through social media. Hoaks usually involve information about politics or social. But lately, the spread of false news has even penetrated the health sector. One of the health topics that is often targeted by hoaxes is the problem of HIV / AIDS?

Hoaks that touch the problem of HIV / AIDS are usually spread with various purposes, such as creating anxiety, discrediting the medical profession, political affairs, and trading competition. For the last, maybe you remember the news that imported canned food is rumored to have been injected with blood containing the HIV virus? It's one of the hoaxes made because of trade competition.

Hoax harm others

There are various hoaxes that develop in the community regarding HIV / AIDS. Of course the most disadvantaged from the hoaks are People With HIV / AIDS (PLWHA). These false news worsened the stigma of PLWHA. As a result, these groups are increasingly excluded from social life.

According to Dr. Adyana Esti from Angsamerah clinic, one of the most frequent hoaxes, is about HIV / AIDS transmission. One of them is, if someone comes into contact with PLWHA they will get HIV / AIDS. Of course the information is incorrect. Angsamerah is a clinic that focuses on the treatment of PLWHA, so it feels very necessary to straighten out the wrong news.

"HIV is not contagious through social contact. If someone says kissing ODHA, then they will get tears and sweat from PLWHA we will get HIV / AIDS, that's a big mistake," said dr.Esti, in a discussion with the theme "Take the Hoax, Understand the Facts of HIV / AIDS" at Branche Bistro, South Jakarta.

"White blood cells that carry the HIV / AIDS virus do exist through saliva, tears, and sweat, but very little. The little HIV virus is not enough to be transmitted to other people," he continued.

According to Dr. Esti, most HIV / AIDS viruses are in the blood, vaginal fluids, and rectal fluid, and breast milk. Meanwhile, using the same cutlery and staying one house with PLWHA will not make people infected with HIV / AIDS. Coughing and chatting is also not a way of transmitting HIV / AIDS.

Get to know the differences in HIV and AIDS

Doctor Esti added, so far the community is still very ambiguous in distinguishing HIV and AIDS. This creates the impression that people with HIV are definitely affected by AIDS, and people with HIV will not be long. Even though the fact is not the case.

"People are still mistaken about this. People with HIV can still live a normal life and pursue their dreams, as long as they get fast and proper treatment. HIV does not always end with AIDS, but people with AIDS are definitely infected with the HIV virus," said Dr. Esti.

Doctor Esti added, HIV or the Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a type of virus that attacks the human immune system. This virus attacks T-Cell. These cells are one part of white blood cells that play a role in the immune system when there are pathogenic germs that enter the body, including viruses and diseases. If the T-Cell is damaged, the body will lose the ability to recognize viruses and bacteria that enter the body.

Meanwhile, AIDS is a condition that arises due to damage to the body's defense system due to the HIV virus. So, it can be ascertained that people with AIDS contract the HIV virus.

Medication for PLWHA

ARVs are drugs for PLWHA that are useful for inhibiting the activity of the HIV virus so that the body of PLWHA has the opportunity to build an immune system. If the immune system of PLWHA is good, then it can fight off infections that come so that life expectancy is longer.

"Until now ARVs are still subsidized by the government so they can be obtained free of charge. PLWHA can also get ARVs for free at the puskesmas level. ODHA is expected to access this ARV because it is very easy to get, "concludes Dr. Esti about this tablet-shaped drug.

The vulnerability of the community is still consumed by hoaxes or false news, making many problems can develop into complicated. Likewise with the issue of HIV / AIDS . The community still needs education on this one health topic. Therefore, people are encouraged not to be easily consumed by hoaxes about HIV / AIDS. Look for information about the topic from competent and reliable sources.