ABOUT 47 MILLION PEOPLE WORLDWIDE HAVE BEEN INFECTED WITH HIV SINCE 1981. HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that causes a gradual deterioration of the immune system, resulting in infections which the human body cannot defend. People who are infected with HIV may have the virus up to ten years before displaying any symptoms. During this period, however, they can transmit the disease to other people. HIV is spread through the exchange of blood, semen and/or vaginal secretions. Those at highest risk include people engaging in unprotected sex with multiple partners, intravenous drug users who share needles, infants born to mothers with HIV who breast feed and people who have received blood transfusions between 1977 and 1985.
Symptoms of HIV include, but are not limited to, sore throat, mouth sores, muscular stiffness or aching, headache, diarrhea, swollen lymph glands, fever, fatigue, various rashes or frequent vaginal yeast infections. An acute HIV infection progresses over time to an asymptomatic HIV infection, into an early symptomatic HIV infection and then into AIDS. It is at this stage that the immune system is completely susceptible to a variety of life threatening diseases, cancers and infections of the blood and/or brain. Common symptoms of AIDS include, but are not limited to, fever, night sweats, swollen glands, chills, weakness and weight loss.
THERE IS NO CURE FOR AIDS. However, there are several anti viral therapies that can delay the progression of the disease. It is our belief that this insidious disease must be stopped. This begins by people taking responsibility for their behavior. Doctors for Life promotes abstinence and the principle that sex is reserved for a man and a woman in a marital relationship. We strongly oppose the myth that forced or consensual intercourse with a virgin will cure AIDS. We offer counseling for intravenous drug users (or any drug users), those that are sex workers, and those who need to talk about their illness. Please just call if you need help.
