Prevention starts with adequate information about how the disease is spread and means to minimize the risk of infection. This type of strategy must be implemented on national, regional, local and individual basis. If a government is not actively involved in funding AIDS and HIV prevention programs, the successes against the spreading of the disease will be limited.

Only if a government endorses a program of, for instance, antiretroviral treatments for infected pregnant mothers, prisoners, and all infected adults as well as children, can there be any hope of stopping this epidemic. Such programs must include from the most basic information to complex reporting to ensure that new strategies can be build based upon information received.

One aspect of HIV/AIDSprevention often overlooked is that of infection by means of needles. Not only drug users, but also health workers and patients are at risk. It is essential to educate workers and loved ones about the absolute necessity to dispose of used needles in the appropriate way and to ensure that such facilities are readily available.

Other aspects of HIV and AIDS prevention which must be addressed is the free supply of condoms, minimization of speeches which do not approve of condom distribution, and the improvement of hygienic conditions in all public spaces, whether hospitals, public restrooms or transport facilities.

Prevention programs must also include adequate food and financial assistance for displaced families to prevent forced prostitution to substitute incomes.

At the end of the day it falls upon governments and related agencies to provide proper reports on their successes on the HIV/AIDS prevention programmes whereby the development of said programmes can be continuously adapted and improved to ensure the health of generations to come.

AIDS care programs are essential to improve the life quality of infected persons and their immediate family. Once HIV has progressed to the AIDS stage, the infected person may find it difficult to sustain normal day to day activities. Many of the infected persons cannot go to hospitals daily for treatment and will thus depend heavily on their family members for care and support.

The continent hardest hit by HIV/AIDS infections is Africa, also the continent where many of the people simply cannot afford advanced medical care and caregivers. Governments on the African continent must intervene to prevent complete social and economic breakdowns because of HIV/AIDS infections. AIDScare programs must include funds for the families who have to take care of the persons with full blown AIDS.

Before such can become a reality, the stigma surrounding AIDS and the misconceptions about infections must be addressed. People have to realise that by taking adequate precautions against accidental infection when caring for family members, they can still be close to the patients. In addition to such programs, it is imperative to also provide information, medical treatment access, and funding assistance for the families in terms of the related illnesses such as TB. Once the person’s immune system becomes vulnerable secondary illnesses may cause more discomfort and hinder the functioning of the person. For such the AIDS care programs must include free testing and treatments for TB and other related illnesses as well.

Once a family faces the prospect of losing a productive family member, has food insecurities, and the burden of AIDS care for the infected person, all hope may fade. For such the healthcare programs should also include free professional counselling and support services to lighten the burden on the families. Governments and related agencies should also ensure that they have the necessary information needed regarding successful AIDS care programs or available guidelines.

The current antiretroviral treatment that HIV research has made available is too costly for many patients, and there are potentially long-term side effects. Also, daily compliance with the treatment is required. This is extremely hard to monitor in those who cannot afford consistent medical care. This is one reason the HIV pandemic continues to worsen. The discovery of an HIV vaccine could curb this by preventing many from catching the disease altogether. Those most at risk could be vaccinated in mass clinics, much as the flu is done in many countries.

For there to ever be a cure or an HIV vaccine, scientists need political and funding commitment from investors for HIV research. The only way to slow and eventually stop the HIV pandemic is to have both. The research for each must go on simultaneously so that one does not slow down the progress of the other. This requires extra funding and strong commitments. Many investors only want to support one or the other, with the mindset that both are not needed. This is just not the case. Everyone cannot be cured at once, and while they are waiting, the disease is steadily spreading. The only way to stop the cycle is to prevent those who have it from spreading while waiting on the cure.

In short, HIV research costs money. This money comes from investors. Each area of research, both for a cure and for an HIV vaccine needs funding in order to continue their work. The HIV pandemic will continue to spread without both a vaccine and a cure. The current treatments are better than nothing, but they are nowhere near sufficient. Further progress needs to be made so that treatment is not the only answer. This can only be accomplished through continued research, which can only happen with continued funding.

HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV stops the body’s ability to fight infections, cancers and many other diseases. Many people have been infected for years without any symptoms. Even though there are no symptoms present, HIV can still be passed to others. AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. AIDS is the last and fatal stage of the HIV disease. Now that we know what it is and how it’s spread, why are our women, our people are still dieing at catastrophic rates? It’s because of social and cultural conditioning. The problem is institutional and internalized homophobia with brathas living on the Down Low. It is misinterpreted scriptures and hypocritical religion. The problem is the lack of accurate information, economic and healthcare disparities. The problem is the continued belief that HIV/AIDS is a Gay White Male Disease!

We as a community must unite as one. We must find ways to collectively end this new African Holocaust. It is every Black woman, man, and child’s responsibility to fight HIV/AIDS in our communities. Knowledge is our power. There is no armor quite like knowledge. HIV/AIDS is swallowing our race at massive proportions. It has spread through our communities because of homophobia and not enough African Americans are trying to prevent it! Get the knowledge, and then get involved. Use yourself, your voice to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS.

In many instances, the information that teenagers have comes directly from their peers and not from adults who are well versed on the topics and situations that they are dealing with. While discussing sex and sexual related activities may prove to be quite embarrassing or uncomfortable, it is a necessity. The talk that you have is one of the best AIDS prevention techniques when it comes to protecting your teenager.

If you are teaching your teen about AIDS prevention, it is important to know and understand that there are many lifestyle choices that your teen may engage in that could put them at risk for contracting AIDS. One of the most common is substance abuse.

They may share needles to engage in drug activity, or they may end up engaging in sexual intercourse while experiencing the side effects of the substances that they are abusing. Additionally, the intercourse may be performed in an unprotected manner. If you are talking to your teen about AIDS prevention, discussing mild altering substances and the effects of those substances is important.

When discussing AIDS prevention with your teenager, it is important to ensure that they understand that by coming in contact with certain body fluids may pose an increased risk of infection. The fluids include the fluids emitted by a male during intercourse and when he ejaculates, secretions that are commonly found in the vagina, as well as blood.

You should inform the teen that certain items should never be shared. Any items that may have been subjected to body fluids like razors, bathing suits, toothbrushes, and items that are used to increase arousal during sexual activities. As you can see, there are many different areas of interest that should be covered when discussing AIDS prevention with your teenager.

Foods rich in Vitamin B1 include meat, liver, nuts and grains; while beans, vegetable and banana are rich in Vitamin B6. Eating soy products will provide supply of Vitamin B12. It is a common knowledge that citrus fruits and green leafy vegetables are loaded with Vitamin C. This is one of the most essential vitamins for HIV patients because of the well-known antioxidant accomplishment of Ascorbic Acid. It is effective in clearing out cell and tissue-damaging particles.

Other vitamins for HIV:

HIV And vitamin B12. Research has shown that HIV-positive individuals are most likely Vitamin B12 deficient. As such, their bodies become more prone to infections. Vitamin B12 deficiency could lead to fatigue, neuropathy, depression, rashes, and anemia. On the other hand, taking an increased dosage of Vitamin B12 helps in the inhibition of lymphocytes and monocytes.

Vitamin A as a cure for HIV. Vitamin A and its food form, Beta-carotene help in boosting the formation of helpful body chemicals that fights off the ill effects of HIV. Therefore, people that are HIV-positive should make it a point to take increased dosage of Beta-carotene or Vitamin A.

However, there are studies showing that certain HIV-positive patients produce some negative effects when subjected to high dosage of Vitamin A. Therefore, it is important that patients consult with their doctors first so that the actual benefits of Vitamin A are assessed right on.

Multivitamins as a Treatment for HIV

HIV is a condition that affects the entire body of a person. And since it attacks the body’s immune system and doesn’t have a cure yet, doctors have decided that aggressive nutrition is what’s required. HIV-positive patients are required to take in substantial vitamins and minerals in their body to help in the fight against the ill effects of AIDS.

It is however crucial to note that excessive vitamin intake can also be harmful. Vitamins should only be taken in recommended dosages especially vitamins in pharmaceutical form like pill or syrup and not from natural sources. Vitamin deficiencies in HIV patients put them at a greater risk of HIV disease advancing to AIDS and later on become more intense which may lead them to death. Because of this, it has been emphasized that requirements of vitamins for HIV patients should be higher than the average requirement for normal and healthy persons.