Question

As health care workers we need to be aware of disease prevalence and statistics affecting our community and individuals. One of the functional roles of a Health Information Technician is to be knowledgeable of the many disease processes, causes, prevention, and treatment to ensure healthy outcomes. The World Health Organization (WHO) is an important and factual resource that provides yearly statistics as well as guidelines to prevent and decrease the mortality of diseases and their processes.
Access the World Health Organization website and choose a topic that interests you or one you feel is of great concern in the United States. Write a discussion post that supports your choice with ONE pertinent fact, risk factor (s), common symptom(s), and way(s) of prevention. Your original post must be at least 250 words

Answer 1

I would like to discuss HIV as it is a great concern to United States.

HIV- Human Immunodeficiency Virus. This virus attacks the immune system of the individuals and due to their weak immune system they are prone to infectious diseases and some type of cancers.

Fact- HIV spreads through blood, semen, breast milk,rectal fluids,va-ginal fluids. We will be infected with HIV virus if it comes in contact with the mucous membrane and through contaminated equipment.

But it does not spread through shared saliva,sweat and urine because it does not have enough HIV virus to be transmitted from infected person.

RISK FACTORS-

Having unprotected intercourse.

Having other STI'S.

Using contaminated equipment.

Recieving unsafe blood transfusion.

From mother to child.

COMMON SYMPTOMS-

Within few weeks of infected with HIV the person suffers from.flu like symptoms such as fever,sore throat, headache.

And after the infection weakens the immune system the person can develop symptoms such as cough,weight loss, diarrhoea, swollen lymph nodes,fatigue and recurrent infections.

PREVENTION-

Using protection during intercourse.

Avoid sharing medical equipment such as syringes and needles etc.

Taking measured to know if the blood one is recieving is tested for HIV.

Washing hands after coming into contact with blood and bodily fluids.

Taking treatment if the the mother is HIV positive to prevent spread of virus to baby.