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| You may be reading this because you have
recently learned that you are HIV positive or you may have known
your diagnosis for some time, even for many years. Either way,
you probably feel you need to know more about HIV, how it can
be managed and what treatments are available for women. |
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| If you have only recently been diagnosed,
you may feel shocked, frightened, confused, angry or upset.
These feeling are quite normal. There are women from all walks
of life in Malaysia - different cultural, religious backgrounds,
of all ages, sexualities, with and without children - who are
HIV positive. |
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| Nowadays, more and more women with HIV
are living longer, enjoying healthy and fulfilling lives and
continue doing the things they used to do before diagnosis -
working, studying, having relationships - by better understanding
of their status and through the help of medication. |
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| The number of women living with HIV/AIDS
in Malaysia has grown considerably over the past 20 years. As
of June 2004, approximately XXXX% of all people who had been
diagnosed with HIV since the beginning of the epidemic were
women, There are XXXX women in Malaysia living |
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| Most of the diagnosed cases are among young
women as a result of unprotected heterosexual sex (sex without
condoms with a male partner). Women are twice as likely to contract
HIV through unprotected sex. HIV is transmitted 8 times more
efficiently from men to women than from women to men. Why? Biologically,
women have a much larger area of skin and tissues that is exposed
to their partner's secretion during sex than men. |
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| For the most part, HIV affects women and
men in the same way. As the disease progresses, both men and
women are at risk of a number of Opportunistic
Infections. There is very little scientific evidence that
shows that clinically women are affected more than men or vice
versa. |
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| Although scientifically we have not reached
a conclusion in this matter, there is some evidence that shows
HIV can affect women differently in some aspects due to: |
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- Hormones
- Body weight and shape
- Reproductive system
- Menstruation and menopause
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Doctor |
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After testing as HIV positive, the
clinic or hospital will refer you to a doctor who is a
specialist in HIV/AIDS. He or she usually has experience
in treating HIV positive people. It is important that
you build a good relationship with your doctor so that,
you can feel comfortable discussing issues that are important
to you such as sexual behaviour, birth control and pregnancy.
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Treatment |
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There are many effective medications
now available for HIV positive people that promote a longer
and healthier life. With treatment now available, many
HIV positive women do not progress to AIDS. Discuss with
your doctor the treatment choices that are now available
in all major government hospital in Malaysia. |
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Support |
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There are many people who can help
you manage living with HIV /AIDS. That list could include
not only doctors and nurses who have experience with HIV/AIDS,
but also community organizations that support HIV positive
women. They can help you to learn about how other HIV
positive women have dealt with issues such relationships,
sexuality, work, decisions about having children, telling
loved ones about your status and treatment. |
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Click here
to find a list community based organizations that would
be able to help you |
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| For HIV positive women, regular check-ups
are crucial for 2 reasons: |
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HIV Infection |
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The effect of HIV to the immune system
and other bodily functions needs to be monitored carefully.
Generally speaking, HIV positive women should see their
doctor every 6 months for important tests (viral load
and CD4 count). Once HIV treatment is started, many doctors
recommend blood tests and a quick check up very 3 months.
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Gynecological Health |
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HIV positive women are at greater
risk for gynecological problems such as vaginal yeast
infection, pelvic inflammatory disease and cervical problems.
If you experience abnormal bleeding between your periods
or unusual discharge, pain, swelling or itching around
your vagina or lower abdomen, you should contact your
doctor. Your doctor would be able to recommend you to
a good gynecologist in the government hospital. |
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- Your medical history (serious illness, sexually transmitted
disease)
- Sexual history
- Menstrual cycle
- Herbs or non prescription pills you are taking for any
reason
- Your method of birth control
- Any recreational drug you use
- Drinking and smoking habits
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| Gynecological diseases - infections and
other problems of the female reproduction system - occur in
both HIV positive and negative women. However, HIV positive
women, especially with their weakened immune system, are more
likely than HIV negative women to experience gynecological problems
that reoccur more frequently or can be more difficult to treat. |
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