 What
is HIV?
HIV is the human immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS. A
member of a group of viruses called retroviruses, HIV infects
human cells and uses the energy and nutrients provided by those
cells to grow and reproduce.
What is AIDS?
AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is a disease in which
the body's immune system breaks down and is unable to fight off
certain infections, known as "opportunistic infections," and
other illnesses that take advantage of a weakened immune system.
When a person is infected with HIV, the virus enters the body
and lives and multiplies primarily in the white blood cells.
These are the immune cells that normally protect us from
disease. The hallmark of HIV infection is the progressive loss
of a specific type of immune cell called T-helper or CD4 cells.
As the virus grows, it damages or kills these and other cells,
weakening the immune system and leaving the individual
vulnerable to various opportunistic infections and other
illnesses, ranging from pneumonia to cancer. The U.S. Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines someone as
having a clinical diagnosis of AIDS if they have tested positive
for HIV and meet one or both of these conditions:
- They have experienced one or more AIDS-related infections or
illnesses;
- The number of CD4 cells has reached or fallen below 200 per
cubic millimeter of blood (a measurement known as T-cell count).
In healthy individuals, the CD4 count normally ranges from 450
to 1200.
How quickly do people infected with HIV develop AIDS?
In some people, the T-cell decline and opportunistic infections
that signal AIDS develop soon after initial infection with HIV.
Most people remain asymptomatic for 10 to 12 years, and a few
for much longer. As with most diseases, early medical care can
help prolong a person's life.
How many people are affected by HIV/AIDS?
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)
estimates that there are now over 34 million people living with
HIV or AIDS worldwide. Most of them do not know they carry HIV
and may be spreading the virus to others. Here in the U.S.,
nearly one million people have HIV infection or AIDS roughly one
out of every 250 people. At least 40,000 Americans become newly
infected with HIV each year, and it is estimated that half of
all people with HIV in the U.S. have not been tested and do not
know they are carrying the virus. Since the beginning of the
epidemic, AIDS has killed nearly 19 million people worldwide,
including some 425,000 Americans. AIDS has replaced malaria and
tuberculosis as the world's deadliest infectious disease among
adults and is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. Over
13 million children have been orphaned by the epidemic.
How is HIV transmitted?
A person who is HIV-infected carries the virus in certain body
fluids, including blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast
milk. The virus can be transmitted only if such HIV-infected
fluids enter the bloodstream of another person. This kind of
direct entry can occur
(1) through the linings of the vagina,
rectum, mouth, and the opening at the tip of the penis; (2)
through intravenous injection with a syringe; or (3) through a
break in the skin, such as a cut or sore. Usually, HIV is
transmitted through:
Unprotected sexual intercourse (either vaginal or anal) with
someone who is HIV-infected.
Women are at greater risk of HIV infection through vaginal sex
than men, although the virus can also be transmitted from women
to men. Anal sex (whether male-male or male-female) poses a high
risk mainly to the receptive partner, because the lining of the
anus and rectum are extremely thin and filled with small blood
vessels that can be easily injured during intercourse.
Unprotected oral sex with someone who is HIV-infected.
There are far fewer cases of HIV transmission attributed to oral
sex than to either vaginal or anal intercourse, but oral-genital
contact poses a clear risk of HIV-infection, particularly when
ejaculation occurs in the mouth. This risk is increased when
either partner has cuts or sores, such as those caused by
sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), recent tooth-brushing, or
canker sores, which can allow the virus to enter the
bloodstream.
Sharing needles or syringes with someone who is HIV-infected.
Laboratory studies show that infectious HIV can survive in used
needles for a month or more. One should never reuse or share
syringes, water, or drug preparation equipment. This includes
needles or syringes used to inject illegal drugs such as heroin,
as well as steroids. Other types of needles, such as those used
for body piercing and tattoos, can also carry HIV.
Infection during pregnancy, childbirth, or breast-feeding
(mother-to-infant transmission).
Any woman who is pregnant or considering becoming pregnant and
thinks she may have been exposed to HIV even if the exposure
occurred years ago should seek testing and counseling.
Mother-to-infant transmission has been reduced to just a few
cases each year in the U.S., where pregnant women are tested for
HIV, and those who test positive are provided with drugs to
prevent transmission and counseled not to breast-feed.
How is HIV not transmitted?
HIV is not an easy virus to pass from one person to another. It
is not transmitted through food or air (for instance, by
coughing or sneezing). There has never been a case where a
person was infected by a household member, relative, co-worker,
or friend through casual or everyday contact such as sharing
eating utensils and bathroom facilities or hugging and kissing.
(Most scientists agree that while HIV transmission through deep
or prolonged "French" kissing may be possible, it would be
extremely unlikely). Here in the U.S., screening the blood
supply for HIV has virtually eliminated the risk of infection
through blood transfusions. (And you cannot get HIV from giving
blood at a blood bank or other established blood collection
center.) Sweat, tears, vomit, feces, and urine do contain HIV,
but have not been reported to transmit the disease (apart from
two cases involving transmission from feces via cut skin).
Mosquitoes, fleas, and other insects do not transmit HIV.
How can I avoid acquiring HIV from a contaminated needle?
If you are injecting drugs of any type, including steroids, do
not share syringes or other injection equipment with anyone
else. (Disinfecting previously used needles and syringes with
bleach can reduce the risk of HIV transmission). If you are
planning to have any part of your body pierced or to get a
tattoo, be sure to see a qualified professional who uses sterile
equipment. Detailed HIV prevention information for drug users
who continue to inject is available from the CDC's National
Prevention Information Network at 1-800-458-5231 or online. |
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Malawi
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Map
The tourist brochures bill Malawi as 'the warm heart of Africa,'
and for once the hype is true. Malawi's scenery is gorgeous and
varied and Malawians tend to be extremely friendly toward
travelers. It's a real nature-lover's destination: lots of
national parks and game reserves, mountain hiking and plateau
trekking and the massive Lake Malawi, great for diving, boating
or lazing about. The country's reliable transport and compact
size make getting about a snap. A broad range of accommodation
and activities makes it possible to have a great time whether
you're pinching pennies or blowing the bank.
Full country
name: Republic of Malawi
Area: 118,500 sq km (45,747 sq mi)
Population: 11.9 million
Capital city: Lilongwe
(pop 260,000)
People: Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuko, Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni,
Ngonde, Asian, European
Languages: English, Chichewa, regional languages
Religion: 55% Protestant, 20% Roman Catholic, 20% Muslim,
traditional indigenous beliefs
Government: Multi-party democracy
President: Bingu wa Mutharika
GDP: US$8.9
billion
GDP per head: US$940
Annual growth: 3.2%
Inflation: 83.4%
Major industries: Tea, tobacco, sugar, sawmill products, cement,
consumer goods, tobacco, sugarcane, cotton, tea, corn, potatoes,
cassava (tapioca), sorghum, pulses, cattle, goats
Major trading partners: US, South Africa, Germany, Japan,
Zimbabwe, UK
(c) Copyright
2002 Lonely Planet Publications. All rights reserved. Used with
permission.
www.lonelyplanet.com
Friends of Malawi - Friends of Malawi supports economic,
social and educational development of the Malawian People. The
site details the organization and various information on Malawi
and community projects.
Malawi SDNP - The Sustained Development Networking
Programme aims to investigate and promote sustained development
in Malawi.
Includes details of various governmental aspects of the country,
such as the constitution, anthem, and elections.
Sandy's Archives - X Africa - Sandy Dacombe,
environmental reporter. Archive of articles on subjects ranging
from travels in Africa to its wildlife.
Malawi - Atlapedia Online - Encyclopedic page of
information on Malawi -
includes brief history, geographical, demographic and political
statistics.
A WorldRover Guide: Malawi - Malawi maps, general facts
and embassy information.
ABC Country Book of Malawi - General information,
statistics, and demographics for Malawi.
Aviation Safety Network: Malawi - Index of Malawian air
accidents. Lists Malawi's single air disaster.
The British Council - Malawi - Aims to provide
information sources to Malawians in order to promote
development. Includes the library and research resources
available.
Malawi - Encarta Encyclopedia Article - Two page article
giving reasonable overview of country as a whole.
Southern African Development Community Page for Malawi -
Comprehensive profile of the country including in-depth analysis
and reports of resources, economy, finance, investment,
agriculture, health, industry and infrastructure.
The CIA World Fact Book - Malawi
Voices of Malawi:
The tracks below provide a sample of native Malawian music.
The music files will open and play in a new window.
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If
you have any questions or are interested in more information, please
contact World Camp at 828-297-9669, email
