There are several reasons why women may be at increased risk for aids. For one thing, women may not realize that their sexual behavior may put them at higher risk for getting aids. Here are some of the so-called high-risk sexual activities:
Not using a latex condom during sex.
Having sex during the menstrual period.
Having anal intercourse.
Having sex with multiple partners.
Having sex with persons using illegal intravenous drugs.
Transmission of the aids virus from men to women is greater than from women to men. Some females may have unsuspected sores on the genital skin or mucous membranes that make transmission of the virus easier. These are caused by diseases such as, syphilis and genital herpes. In addition, the use of alcohol may blunt a person's judgment and make it easy for them to forget to practice safer sex.
There are some aids related conditions that are more likely to affect women. Bacterial endocarditis affects the heart. Meningitis affects the tissues that cover the brain and spinal cord. Pneumonia affects the lungs and sepsis is a serious general infection.
Women have more fevers and diarrhea that last longer than one month. They have more tuberculosis (tb). They tend to have infection of the external sexual organs called vulvovaginitis which lasts longer and is harder to treat. The infections are caused by candida, genital herpes, or other agents. Their pap smears may show dysplasia or abnormal changes in the cells and there may even be cervical cancer. They also can have p.i.d. (pelvic inflammatory disease), or infection of the internal sex organs.
Most of the first symptoms of aids in women are nonspecific. That is to say, they are symptoms that may be associated with any disease. Some women who are coming down with aids may have problems with spotting between their periods--or even missed periods. The doctor may not know that the woman was exposed to the aids virus and therefore will not realize that she is at risk for aids.
Being hiv positive means that a person has been exposed to the aids virus. But, having a diagnosis of aids itself means the person has contracted the disease itself. Having aids means that a person has developed some specific body changes. A special type of protective cell in the body called the cd-4 cell drops to a low level. A certain type of cancer called kaposi's sarcoma may be present. There may be other kinds of unusual infections. These include a specific kind of pneumonia called pneumocystis carinii (new-mo-sis-tis car-in-e-eye) pneumonia, herpes infections, tuberculosis and fungus infections of the mouth or esophagus. And, this can all be complicated by a steady weight loss.
Women who are hiv positive should have frequent blood tests to check their cd-4 cells. A pap test is needed yearly. If the pap test shows abnormalities, it needs to be checked every 6 months. It is necessary to check often for the sexually transmitted diseases. The doctor also looks for a special kind of wart called venereal warts. These warts may appear on the external sex organs, the vagina, or around the anal area. They are caused by the human papilloma virus and have been associated with cancer of the cervix.
It is important for women with aids to be vaccinated against hepatitis, influenza and streptococcal pneumonia. There are some newer drugs that are used early in the aids disease process to prevent pneumonia and tb others seem to fight the aids virus itself.
If you are concerned about aids, it is easy to request an hiv test from your physician or you can call your county health department to find out where you can get tested. Hiv testing is anonymous.
Remember, if you use illicit intravenous drugs, you can prevent aids. Do not share needles, and clean your equipment with bleach. Better yet, seek help in breaking your habit.
For further information, call your physician or the local county health department.