Latest Articles HIV TEST Communities within the Accra Metropolis would soon have HIV test for free right at their door steps, say Free Africa Foundation The chief executive officer of the Free Africa Foundation, Mr. Nii Yahaya Futa said this in an exclusive interview with this reporter. He noted that youth within the metropolis could not know their HIV status; this exercise would help them in the right direction. This, he said, would sensitize the youth in the dangers incurred. “We intend to show a video documentary on HIV/AID patients and the cause and how one can protect or abstain from sex”, he said. 
He therefore, reminded the youth of the 1980s, and said there was nothing like HIV virus or pandemics in the system, since one could find it difficult to go into pre marital sex. It was early 1990s when people began to have knowledge on information technology, and internet began to spring up. He took a swipe at the western style of dressing, and said that due to the era of ICT and the type of material been made public on our TVs and Internets contributed to the down fall of our traditional values. He said Western countries neglected Africa continent for long decade, leaders of the continent hard to knock on their doors for help. This has also contributed heavily to the migration young people from Africa to seek a greener pastures in Europe, America and the Asia. Some of these young men passes through the meditarian sea and finally to European land. This did not auger well to the European Commission, certain measures had to put in place to prevent illegal immigrants on the European territorial waters. “The economic situation in Africa is very bad and the young people can not even find job let alone to find a better place to live”, he added. Free Africa Foundation was established in 2000 to educate the general public on sexual reproductive health, conflict resolution and HIV/AIDS prevention. SOURCE: http://www.articlesbase.com/find-articles.php?q=hiv+test PEP, or Post Exposure Prophylaxis, is used to reduce the chance of HIV infection after potential exposure to risk during sex. Available since the 1990’s, primarily for health workers who have had 'needle-stick' or similar injuries, guidelines for PEP were issued by the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV in and the UK Expert Advisory Group revised these in 2008 and can be seen here-> PEP is most effective in the crucial first few hours and days following exposure by preventing HIV from reproducing before the virus can establish itself in the body. Ideally the 28 day course of medication should start within 24 hours, but definitely within 72 hours of putting yourself at risk. The sooner you start taking PEP after any risk, the more likely it is to be effective. For maximum protection, the prescribed dose must be taken at the right times, without missing any in order to maintain the correct amount of medication in the bloodstream at all times. More information on HIV risk, Testing and the availability of PEP in the UK is available here Assessing the risk :
Expect to be asked a range of specific questions about how the risk occurred, including details of the sex you had - was it oral or anal sex? Was semen involved? Was a condom used? It’s very important to determine the sexual history of the person you had sex with, especially whether they are HIV positive or not.
You will also be asked to take an HIV test, as treatment with PEP is not prescribed for those already infected with HIV. You’ll then need to be tested 3 and 6 months after taking PEP to establish whether infection has been avoided. Where to get PEP :
You can get PEP from Sexual Health clinics or from A & E Departments at most hospitals. But do it straight away – don’t wait until the weekend’s over. Getting PEP. Possible side effects :
Taking PEP is not an easy or inexpensive option. Because it’s a triple combination of anti-retroviral drugs, PEP can induce the same kind of side effects as in HIV positive people who are beginning to take HIV medication. Common side effects include fatigue diarrhoea, nausea, and prolonged headaches. In rare cases, more serious side effects such as liver damage can occur. Staying safe :
Taking PEP will not give you immunity to HIV infection, so if you have unsafe sex while you are taking PEP or after you have finished a course of medication, you may still become infected with HIV. PEP is not a substitute for consistent condom and lube use. However, recent studies suggest that most men who have taken PEP are likely to have less unsafe sex afterwards, and are therefore unlikely to seek PEP again.
But PEP doesn’t work for everyone – some people who take it still end up with HIV afterwards. Some anti-HIV drugs simply don’t work against some strains of HIV, but it’s more likely to fail if it’s not taken properly or soon enough. Sources :
Journal Watch website (August 2009)
Gay Mans Health Forum (August 2009)
Terence Higgins Trust Website (August 2009)
Patient UK website - Dr Richard Draper (August 2009) SOURCE: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/hiv-post-exposure-prophylaxis-1158638.html | 
