The spread of HIV/AIDS is being curbed as we try to further understand how the disease spreads. Among other causes of the spread of the virus, drug use is considered to be a significant reason. It is estimated that as much as a quarter of the HIV/AIDS infections in United States have been caused due to Injection Drug Use (or IDU).
While there are some drugs that are consumed orally, it does not take much time for drug addicts to upgrade to injecting drugs so that they can feel the rush instantly. It is extremely uncommon for someone on a high to be bothered about aspects like sharing needles. And as you share equipment while injecting yourself with recreational drugs, you stand a high chance of contracting the virus from someone who has used the syringe or the filters or tourniquets earlier.
It is known that the HIV/AIDS virus can survive in a used syringe for more than 4 weeks. And so it is not only about sharing equipment right there and then. Reusing a syringe after some time is also dangerous since it can carry the HIV/AIDS virus.
It may not come as a surprise to you that the intake of drugs and sex also go hand in hand. In some cases there are drugs that increase the desire to have sex like methamphetamines. In others, people might trade sex to be able to buy drugs off a dealer.
This is not safe and can lead to the spread of HIV/AIDS especially since practicing safe sex is the last thing on the mind in each of these instances. Someone on a high cannot be bothered about practicing safe sex when he or she is experiencing the thrills of the drug. Those who give in to sex due to the craving for drugs are probably not in a position to dictate whether they will have only safe sex or not.
Such is the rampant spread of the disease that the federal government has announced various HIV/AIDS awareness days so that there is targeted and specific communication about HIV/AIDS to various communities and target groups. So March 10th this year is the National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and March 20th is being observed as the National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. The calendar is filled with dates and the National HIV Testing Day falls on 27th June and the World AIDS Day will be observed on December 1st.
There are various centers too that help in controlling and preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS. HIV counseling, testing, and referral, also called CTR is an essential part of any HIV/AIDS program.
A critical aspect of preventing AIDS is to increase your HIV/AIDS awareness. It is quite critical that you have a chat with your kids about HIV/AIDS awareness and encourage them to understand the matter on their own too.
If you have engaged in any risky behavior it might be wise to stock a home HIV test so that you can check before it is too late. It only takes one syringe prick or one sexual encounter for the virus to spread.
The use of the home HIV test also helps in keeping the whole affair private as you check for any infection. While one hopes that you never ever get a positive result, it is vital to know your status.
Anne Hamilton is a writer and blogger for Home Health Testing, an online home health and home drug test site. You can learn more about home HIV testing by visiting our Home HIV Test page.
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