We have come a long way since the early 1980s when the mysterious virus we now know as HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) first appeared. Incredible advancements in medicine have taken an HIV diagnosis from a death sentence to a condition which, when properly managed, allows for a long and healthy life. That does not, however, diminish HIV and AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) as serious health issues with many layers of social implications.
The relationship between HIV and AIDS is often misunderstood. Simply put, HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. It can be passed on through blood and other body fluids, and operates by attacking the sufferer’s T-helper cells, which are the body’s natural defense against infection. As the immune system is compromised, the sufferer is increasingly susceptible to infections, such as pneumonia, that an otherwise healthy person could fight off. Without treatment, HIV/AIDS is considered a terminal condition.
It is imperative that medical professionals have a thorough understanding of HIV/AIDS to provide optimal care and protect themselves from the transmission. Engaging in meaningful HIV training for health professionals is essential. Good comprehension of epidemiology, knowledge of viral transmission, and the spectrum of symptom manifestations covered in HIV/AIDS Training for Healthcare Professionals provides a basic foundation for best practices.
The HIV/AIDS Etiology and Epidemiology
An HIV infection occurs when the virus is transmitted from one person to the next through various body fluids and enters the bloodstream. Once there, it attacks white blood cells called T-helper cells. These T-helper cells are damaged by the virus and are unable to function or signal for help.
T-helper cells are one of the major players in our immune system for fighting off invaders. The more T-helper cells that are destroyed, the more difficult it is for the body to fight off an attack. Eventually, sufferers aren’t even able to defend against common and typically harmless infections.
If left untreated, the patient continues to lose their inherent defense mechanisms. When the T-helper cell count drops to below 200 cells/mm3 in the blood, HIV becomes AIDS.
According to the most recent data offered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are more than 30,000 newly diagnosed cases of HIV in the United States. While this does represent about an 8% annual decline over the previous decade, that still brings the number of those living with HIV/AIDS in the U.S. to over 1.1 million.
While the downward trend in diagnosis is great news, the numbers are still astounding and represent a serious and ongoing public health issue. HIV training for health professionals is essential to the continued momentum for fighting this preventable infection.
How HIV/AIDS Is Transmitted
HIV is carried in certain body fluids like blood, semen, breast milk, mucus, and vaginal fluids. For the virus to infect another person it needs to enter the body through physical contact and make its way to the bloodstream.
Transmission can occur in one of several ways. HIV can be transmitted through blood exposure when using dirty needles, blood transfusions, or if an open wound is exposed to infected body fluids. It can also occur during unprotected anal or vaginal sex.
Being familiar with the mechanisms of transmission is another key component of HIV training for health professionals. This will support the healthcare professional in identifying those individuals at risk and support them in discussing prevention.
How to Provide Effective Counsel for HIV/AIDS
The fear many experience when encountering a patient with HIV/AIDS is often a fear of the unknown.
HIV/AIDS has a more complicated history with medical science and the public than many other diseases because it can be sexually transmitted. Patients have been historically stigmatized, and the public has not always been well informed about the nature and risks of HIV. These realities can pose significant challenges for healthcare workers responsible for diagnosing and treating HIV.
Informing and educating patients on essential health topics is something that becomes second nature for many health professionals. Appreciating the importance of informing patients about the benefits of knowing their HIV status can have a huge impact on health outcomes, and questions about status and offering resources on how to get tested are often integrated into many admission processes.
Finally, HIV status can be a very sensitive topic that should always include patient counseling. Effective HIV counseling goes beyond just softening the blow of bad news. It needs to include a conversation about the legal components of consent, privacy, confidentiality, and follow-up resources.
Caring for Patients is at the Core of HIV Training for Health Professionals
Prominent medical professionals prioritize managing the patient as a whole after life-altering diagnoses for diseases like HIV/AIDS. Health issues compounded by social concerns, the financial burden of medical care, and the potential stigma associated with HIV are ongoing challenges.
Yes, the incidence of HIV and AIDS has declined and the interventions available to us now are allowing people infected with HIV to essentially live normal lives. However, this does not lessen the need to educate and advocate for healthcare professionals to continue the fight.
In many ways, the best weapon we have is the knowledge we carry. Knowing who’s at risk, how the virus is transmitted, preventative concepts, and how to support the newly diagnosed and those seeking testing are key.
HIV/AIDS Training for Healthcare Professionals offered by Premiere Education can reinforce what you already know and offer new knowledge to best serve your patients.
