PROBLEMS OF AIDS IN INDIA ESPECIALLY IN WOMEN

According to the World Health Organisation survey, 3 million women are already infected with HIV all over the World, but in India the problem of AIDS as a whole is not that acute especially in women. At least it is not that alarming. India, having a very high incidence of STD, it will not take much time for the spread of the HIV infection. No case of mother-to-infant transmission of HIV and resultant clinical disease in the neonate and children has as yet been reported in India. Infected babies, however, face a short life - nearly all die before reaching 2 years of age. Breast feeding is not a significant means of transmitting AIDS. The disease can spread only through sexual contact, use of infected syringe or transfusion of infected blood. Therefore, doctors, nurses and other paramedical staff in hospitals who may have to deal with AIDS patients need not fear the virus if they take adequate precautions. There is no known curative treatment for HIV infection causing AIDS, but improving literacy, avoiding sexual promiscuity and using condoms in heterosexual intercourse are positive steps in keeping HIV infection at a considerably low level.