Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases MDG 6 Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases

HIV/AIDS The Human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) weakens the immune system and causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome. When the immune system is weakened various infections and cancers are able to take hold. It can lead to death

HIV/AIDS Someone who has HIV may not have AIDS. For most people the progression to AIDS is fairly slow.

Risk Factors Unprotected sex Sharing needles Blood Transfusions Prostitutes Oral sex During Pregnancy

Antiretroviral Therapy How would MDG 8 increase access to antiretroviral therapy?

Develop a Global Partnership for Development Pharmaceutical companies could provide free antiretroviral therapy for those in need. Governments in developed countries could provide free or subsidised antiretroviral therapy Eliminate the debt developing countries owe to developed countries

MDG 6 How could this goal assist in eradicating poverty.

Malaria Malaria is an infection characterised by fever, shivering, chills and anaemia. It is caused by species of the Plasmodium parasite, passed on via the bite of an infected mosquito. Travellers to tropical regions of Asia, Africa, and Central or South America are at risk. In malarial areas, avoid mosquito bites by wearing long, loose clothing, using insect repellents and avoiding outdoors at dusk and dawn.

Incubation Malarial parasites are carried by the female anopheles mosquito, which tends to be active at dusk and early evening. When an infected mosquito bites a human, the parasites roam in the bloodstream for around one hour before entering the liver and multiplying. After six to 16 days (depending on the species), the parasites return to the bloodstream to invade and multiply inside red blood cells until they burst. The released parasites then invade fresh red blood cells and the destruction continues. The incubation period (the time between the mosquito bite and the onset of symptoms) ranges from eight to 30 days, once again depending on the parasite species. Other (less common) modes of transmission include blood transfusion, sharing needles or syringes, and congenital infection.

Avoid Mosquitoes When in malarial areas, suggested precautions against mosquito bites include: Avoid outdoor activity around dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active. Wear loose, long, light-coloured clothing. Use mosquito repellents on exposed skin and clothing. Don't wear perfumes, colognes or aftershave. Use 'knockdown' sprays, mosquito coils and plug-in vaporising devices indoors. Sleep under mosquito nets treated with repellents or insecticides if windows don't have flyscreens.

Tuberculosis Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that typically affects the lungs but may infect any other organ of the body. TB can only be passed from person to person when someone with active TB of the lungs coughs, sings, laughs or sneezes. It can be effectively treated with medications.