Sulu Provincial Women’s Council holds forum on HIV-AIDS

Hajja Nurunisah Tan, chairwoman of the Sulu Provincial Women’s Council, speaks before students during a recent forum on  human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome. (Photo by Ahl-franzie Salinas)

THE SULU Provincial Women’s Council (SPWC) recently held a forum on human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome attended by scores of students from various schools, colleges and universities in Sulu.

Philanthropist and professional nurse Hajja Nurunisah Tan, who is the chairwoman of the SPWC, organized the forum held at the Women and Children Center in the capital town of Jolo. The forum coincided with the celebration of World Aid Day.

Among those who participated and spoke at the forum were Tuan Yayah Titong, president of Muslim Leaders Assembly and Dr. Faranazh Intimani, municipal health officer, among others. Titong spoke about the Islamic Values and Perspective, and Intimani discussed about HIV-AIDS.

Following initial infection, a person may experience a brief period of influenza-like illness. This is typically followed by a prolonged period without symptoms. As the infection progresses, it interferes more and more with the immune system, making the person much more susceptible to common infections, like tuberculosis, as well as opportunistic infections and tumors that do not usually affect people who have working immune systems.

The late symptoms of the infection are referred to as AIDS. This stage is often complicated by an infection of the lung known as pneumocystis pneumonia, severe weight loss, skin lesions caused by Kaposi's sarcoma, or other AIDS-defining conditions.

HIV is transmitted primarily via unprotected sexual intercourse, including anal and oral sex, contaminated blood transfusions, hypodermic needles, and from mother to child during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding. Some bodily fluids, such as saliva and tears, do not transmit HIV.

Common methods of HIV-AIDS prevention include encouraging and practicing safe sex, needle-exchange programs, and treating those who are infected. There is no cure or vaccine; however, antiretroviral treatment can slow the course of the disease and may lead to a near-normal life expectancy.

While antiretroviral treatment reduces the risk of death and complications from the disease, these medications are expensive and have side effects. Treatment is recommended as soon as the diagnosis is made. Without treatment, the average survival time after infection with HIV is estimated to be 9 to 11 years, depending on the HIV subtype.

Those who attended the forum praised the SPWC and Tan for her initiative in holding the assembly and explaining issues about HIV-AIDS. (Ahl-franzie Salinas)

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