HIV & AIDS: Role of Healthcare Professionals and Patient Education

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Table of Contents

The human immunodeficiency virus is the cause of acquired immunodeficiency
HIV prevalence and Complacency
Role of Health Care Professionals in Increasing Awareness of the Disease
Strategies to Educate HIV-Positive Patients on Medication Adherence
Safe practices to Reduce the Risk of Infecting Others
Conclusion
References

The human immunodeficiency virus is the cause of acquired immunodeficiency

syndrome. In the absence of retroviral therapy, the transition may occur in 10 years or less. Recently, the human immunodeficiency virus acquired the status of an epidemic as in 2016 more than 36 million people live with it (WHO, n.d.). About a million people die from HIV-related diseases annually (WHO, n.d.). The symptoms of HIV can be very diverse and may include fever, swelling of lymph nodes, skin rash, headache, etc. Yet for diagnosing the virus with an increased degree of certainty, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is administered. Western blot tests are used for confirmation.

HIV prevalence and Complacency

It is difficult to link complacency as a phenomenon with any disease or condition. HIV and AIDS are rather serious conditions that presently have no cure (Arcangelo, Peterson, Wilbur, & Reinhold, 2017). They complicate life by mortally endangering health and wellbeing. It appears hardly possible that a sane person would agree to sacrifice their good health condition for a lifetime of danger due to the fact that there is a possibility not to die from these diseases. Most cases of HIV happen due to carelessness, lack of education, or drug abuse, and a harmful environment. It is doubtful that people who practice unprotected sex or use drugs think of HIV in the first place. It is highly likely that complacency occurs when confronted with the fact of having such a condition and knowledge of the possible treatment options.

Role of Health Care Professionals in Increasing Awareness of the Disease

Nurses, physicians, and other professionals are the main actors in the process of increasing the population’s awareness of HIV/AIDS. Through patient education, they are able to explain the dangers that these diseases pose not only to the person having them but also to the people closest to him or her (Sarma & Oliveras, 2013). The limitation here is the weight of the pieces of advice that health care professionals give. Often, patients do not have high regard for their advice. However, people who care for their and their relatives’ health and wellbeing could be protected from the adverse influence of the virus.

Strategies to Educate HIV-Positive Patients on Medication Adherence

Among the education strategies for HIV-positive people, one can name stressing the negative consequences of the virus transmission. Informing the patients of the adverse conditions and symptoms their close ones may develop as a result of careless handling of HIV might result in better medication adherence (Bezabhe et al., 2014). It is also vital to stress that non-adherence leads to the return of the symptoms and the development of HIV-related diseases that could lead to death.

Safe practices to Reduce the Risk of Infecting Others

To enhance the degree of protection against infecting others, it is paramount to use latex condoms in order to prevent sexual transmission. Blood donations for HIV-positive people are possible under no circumstances (Arcangelo et al., 2014). Breastfeeding is also recommended if a mother is a carrier of the virus. All-time adherence to the antiretroviral treatment plan is one of the main practices to safeguard a person and those closest to them against transmission. It is also paramount to stick closely to the prescribed regimen as discontinuation threatens to increase one’s risk of developing resistance to the prescribed therapy.

Conclusion

All things considered, HIV and AIDS are conditions that are highly dependent on the patient’s consciousness. The knowledge and use of prevention practices, medication adherence, and non-discontinuation are entirely controllable by the patient. Therefore, the goal of medical personnel is to teach patients of the gravity of the situation, the importance of adherence, and the dangers of complacency.

References

Arcangelo, V. P., Peterson, A. M., Wilbur, V., & Reinhold, J. A. (Eds.). (2017). Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice: A practical approach (4th ed.). Ambler, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Bezabhe, W. M., Chalmers, L., Bereznicki, L. R., Peterson, G. M., Bimirew, M. A., & Kassie, D. M. (2014). Barriers and facilitators of adherence to antiretroviral drug therapy and retention in care among adult HIV-positive patients: A qualitative study from Ethiopia. PloS One, 9(5), e97353.

Sarma, H., & Oliveras, E. (2013). Implementing HIV/AIDS education: Impact of teachers’ training on HIV/AIDS education in Bangladesh. Journal of Health, Population, and Nutrition, 31(1), 20-27.

World Health Organization (WHO). (n.d.). HIV/AIDS. Web.

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