Formerly considered a "man's disease," acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS, is also a threat to the health of women. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the primary ways American women are contracting the virus that causes AIDS is through having sex with a man infected with the virus and using drug needles or other paraphernalia previously used by an infected person. Preventive measures can greatly reduce the risk of contracting AIDS.
Significance
AIDS is a life-threatening infection caused by the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV. A person with HIV or AIDS is usually prescribed a cocktail of medications that can prolong life but these drugs carry adverse effects that can lower quality of life. She must undergo testing of her immune system health and be careful to avoid infection. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, people with AIDS usually die of cancer or infection.
Who Is at Risk
Women who have sex in any relationship except a monogamous relationship with a partner who doesn't have HIV are at risk of developing AIDS. Having multiple sexual partners or a sex partner whose HIV status is unknown places a woman at greater risk. Women who inject drugs with used needles can also contract HIV.
Prevention Types
The best protection from AIDS is sexual abstinence and avoiding used, or dirty, needles. Some women practice "safer sex," which has several components. Having one monogamous sex partner who does not have HIV is one example of safer sex. WomensHealth.gov explains that limiting the number of sex partners lowers the risk of contracting HIV. Using a new male latex condom for each sex act is also considered safer sex. Polyurethane condoms can be used if one partner is allergic to latex, according to WomensHealth.gov. Female condoms provide some protection, but are not as effective as male latex condoms. Barriers should be used during other sex acts that expose the woman to her partner's body fluids. Commonly used barriers include dental dams, latex gloves and plastic wrap.
Emergency Protection
Occasionally, prevention methods fail--when a condom breaks or slips out of place, for example. A woman may be raped by someone whose HIV status is unknown. In these cases, a physician may opt to prescribe prophylactic medication to reduce the risk of the woman contracting HIV from the exposure. This medicine regimen typically lasts for 28 days, explains FHI, a global health organization.
Warnings
Oil-based lubricants should not be used with condoms, as they can reduce their effectiveness. A male and female condom should not be used at the same time. Douching should be avoided as it washes out some of the natural protection found in the vagina. It is safer to use protection than to trust a new partner's word that he doesn't have HIV.
References
- San Francisco AIDS Foundation: The Body: Reducing the Risk of Getting HIV from Sexual Activities
- WomensHealth.gov: Women & HIV/AIDS: Prevention
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: HIV/AIDS and Women
- American Academy of Family Physicians: How to Reduce Your HIV and AIDS Risk
- FHI: Is HIV Treatment Practical After Exposure?
