WHAT IS TUBERCULOSIS?

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease usually caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)

bacteria. Tuberculosis generally affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body. Most
infections show no symptoms, in which case it is known as latent tuberculosis. Around 10% of latent
infections progress to active disease which, if left untreated, kills about half of those affected.
Infection of other organs can cause a wide range of symptoms. Tuberculosis also remains a major
killer because of the increase in drug-resistant strains. Over time, some TB germs have developed the
ability to survive despite medications. Drug-resistant strains of tuberculosis emerge when an
antibiotic fails to kill all of the bacteria it targets. Some TB bacteria have developed resistance to the
most commonly used treatments, such as isoniazid and rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane). Some TB
strains have also developed resistance to drugs such as antibiotics. The risk factors are that anyone can
get tuberculosis, but certain factors can increase your risk, including a weakened immune system. A
healthy immune system often successfully fights TB bacteria. However, several conditions and
medications can weaken your immune system, including:

- HIV/AIDS

- Diabetes

- Severe kidney disease

- Certain cancers

- Cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy

- Drugs to prevent rejection of transplanted organs

- Some drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, and psoriasis

- Malnutrition or low body weight

- Very young or advanced age

- Traveling or living in certain areas

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF TUBERCULOSIS?

Some people who acquire Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes TB, do not
experience symptoms. This condition is known as latent TB. TB can stay dormant for years before
developing into active TB disease. It's called active TB if you have symptoms. However, in some
cases, symptoms might not develop until months or even years after the initial infection. Sometimes
the infection does not cause any symptoms, which is also referred to as latent TB.
General Symptoms of TB:

Active TB typically causes many symptoms, though your symptoms might not begin until months or
even years after you were initially infected. While symptoms usually relate to the respiratory system,
they could affect other parts of the body, depending on where the TB bacteria grow. Symptoms
caused by TB in the lungs include:

- Extreme tiredness or fatigue

- Cough lasting more than 3 weeks

- Coughing up blood or sputum (phlegm)

- Chest pain

- Unexplainable fatigue

- Weakness

- Fever

- Chills

- Night sweats

- Appetite loss

- Weight loss

Along with general symptoms, TB that spreads to other organs can also cause symptoms such as
blood in urine and loss of kidney function if TB affects the kidneys; back pain, stiffness, muscle
spasms, and spinal irregularity if TB affects the spine; nausea and vomiting, confusion, and loss of
consciousness if TB spreads to the brain. However, these symptoms can have many different causes
and are not always a sign of TB.

Most TB infections affect the lungs, which can cause a persistent cough that lasts more than 3 weeks
and usually brings up phlegm, which may be bloody, and breathlessness that gradually gets worse.

Less commonly, TB infections develop in areas outside the lungs, such as the lymph nodes, bones and
joints, digestive system, bladder and reproductive system, and the brain and nerves (the nervous
system).

Extended form of TB symptoms includes:

- Persistent swollen glands

- Abdominal pain
- Pain and loss of movement in an affected bone or joint

- Confusion

- Persistent headache

- Fits (seizures)

HOW DOES TUBERCULOSIS SPREAD?

Tuberculosis spreads from one person to another through the air when people who have active TB in
their lungs cough, spit, speak, or sneeze. People with latent TB do not spread the disease. Active
infection occurs more often in people with HIV/AIDS and in those who smoke. The diagnosis of
active TB is based on chest X-rays, as well as microscopic examination and culture of body fluids.

Here's the revised paragraph with corrections for punctuation, grammar, and clarity:

WHAT’S THE CAUSE OF TUBERCULOSIS?

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a type of bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It’s spread
when a person with active TB disease in their lungs coughs or sneezes, and someone else inhales the
expelled droplets containing TB bacteria. Although TB spreads in a way similar to a cold or the flu, it
is not as contagious. You would have to spend prolonged periods (several hours) in close contact with
an infected person to catch the infection yourself. For example, TB infections usually spread between
family members who live in the same house. It would be highly unlikely for you to become infected
by sitting next to an infected person on, for instance, a bus or train. Not everyone with TB is
infectious. Children with TB or people with TB infection that occurs outside the lungs
(extrapulmonary TB) do not spread the infection.

LATENT OR ACTIVE TB

In most healthy individuals, the immune system can destroy the bacteria that cause TB. However, in
some cases, the bacteria infect the body but do not cause any symptoms (latent TB), or the infection
begins to cause symptoms within weeks, months, or even years (active TB). Up to 10% of people with
latent TB eventually develop active TB years after the initial infection. This usually happens either
within the first year or two of infection or when the immune system is weakened, for example, if
someone is undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer.

THE OTHER FACTORS THAT CAN CAUSE TUBERCULOSIS ARE:

- Using substances: Like IV drugs or excessive alcohol use, which weakens your immune system and
makes you more vulnerable to tuberculosis.
Using tobacco: This greatly increases the risk of getting TB and dying from it.

- Working in healthcare: Or regular contact with people who are ill increases your chances of
exposure to TB bacteria.

- Living or working in a residential care facility: People who live or work in prisons, homeless
shelters, immigration or nursing homes are all at a higher risk of tuberculosis due to overcrowding
and poor ventilation.

- Living with someone infected with TB: Close contact with someone who has active TB increases
your risk.

HOW CAN YOU PREVENT TUBERCULOSIS?

Keeping your immune system healthy and avoiding exposure to someone with active TB is the best
way to prevent a TB infection. Measures to prevent the transmission of tuberculosis include
improving ventilation in indoor spaces to reduce the concentration of bacteria in the air. Using
germicidal UV lamps can help kill airborne bacteria in buildings where there is a high risk of TB. To
protect your family and friends if you have active TB, follow these tips to help keep your friends and
family from getting sick:

- Stay home: Don’t go to work or school or sleep in a room with other people.

- Ventilate the room: Tuberculosis germs spread more easily in small closed spaces where air doesn’t
move. If it’s not too cold outdoors, open the windows and use a fan to blow indoor air outside.

- Cover your mouth : Use a tissue to cover your mouth anytime you laugh, sneeze, or cough. Put the
dirty tissue in a bag, seal it, and throw it away.

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF TUBERCULOSIS?

- Active TB Disease: The active TB is an illness in which the TB bacteria are rapidly multiplying and
invading different organs of the body. The typical symptoms of active TB variably include cough,
phlegm, chest pain, weakness, weight loss, fever, chills, and sweating at night. A person with active
pulmonary TB disease may spread TB to others by airborne transmission of infectious particles
coughed into the air. If you are diagnosed with active TB disease, be prepared to give a detailed
history of every person with whom you have had contact. Since the active form may be contagious,
these people will need to be tested as well. Multi-drug treatment is employed to treat active TB
disease. Depending on state or local public health regulations, you may be asked to take your
antibiotics under the supervision of your physician or other healthcare professional. This program is
called "Directly Observed Therapy" and is designed to prevent treatment abandonment or erratic
treatment, which may result in "failure" with continued risk of transmission or acquired resistance of
the bacteria to the medications, including the infamous multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB).

- Miliary TB: Miliary TB is a rare form of active disease that occurs when TB bacteria find their way
into the bloodstream. In this form, the bacteria quickly spread all over the body in tiny nodules and
affect multiple organs at once. This form of TB can be rapidly fatal.

- Latent TB Infection: Many of those who are infected with TB do not develop overt disease. They
have no symptoms, and their chest x-ray may be normal. The only manifestation of this encounter
may be a reaction to the tuberculin skin test (TST) or interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA).
However, there is an ongoing risk that the latent infection may escalate to active disease. This risk is
increased by other illnesses such as HIV or medications which compromise the immune system. To
protect against this, the United States employs a strategy of preventive therapy or treatment of latent
TB infection.

WHAT IS EBOLA?

Ebola, first identified in 1976, also known as Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and formerly as Ebola
Hemorrhagic Fever (EHF), is a viral hemorrhagic fever in humans and other primates, caused by
ebolaviruses. Symptoms typically start between two days and three weeks after contracting the virus.
The disease has a fatality rate ranging from 25% to 90%, with an average of about 50%. Death is
often due to shock from fluid loss and usually occurs between six and sixteen days after symptoms
first appear. Fruit bats are believed to be the natural reservoirs of the virus; they can spread the virus
without being affected by it. Control of outbreaks requires community engagement, including rapid
detection, contact tracing of those exposed, care for the infected, and proper disposal of the dead
through cremation or burial. After a person recovers from Ebola, their semen or breast milk may
continue to carry the virus for a period ranging from several weeks to several months. As the virus
spreads through the body, it damages the immune system and organs, ultimately causing levels of
blood-clotting cells to drop. This leads to severe, uncontrollable bleeding. Although the disease was
previously known as Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever, it is now referred to simply as Ebola virus disease.

HOW DO YOU GET EBOLA?

Ebola isn’t as contagious as more common viruses like colds, influenza, or measles. It spreads to
people through contact with the skin or body fluids of an infected animal, such as a monkey, chimp,
or fruit bat. Then, it can be transmitted from person to person in the same manner. Those who care for
a sick person or bury someone who has died from the disease often contract it. Other ways to contract
Ebola include touching contaminated objects or surfaces. For example, Ebola can be spread by:

- Directly touching the body of someone who has symptoms of Ebola or who has recently died from
the disease.
- Cleaning up body fluids (blood, feces, urine, or vomit) of an infected person.

- Touching the soiled clothing of an infected person.

The virus can survive for several days outside the body. Studies have shown that traces of Ebola may
remain in semen many months after recovery. However, Ebola cannot be transmitted through air,
water, or food. Furthermore, a person who has Ebola but shows no symptoms cannot spread the
disease. Routine social contact, such as shaking hands, with individuals who do not exhibit symptoms
does not result in transmission of Ebola.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF EBOLA?

The symptoms of Ebola may resemble those of several other diseases, including malaria, cholera,
typhoid fever, meningitis, and other viral hemorrhagic fevers. Early on, Ebola can feel like the flu or
other illnesses. Symptoms appear 2 to 21 days after infection and typically include:

- High fever

- Headache

- Joint and muscle aches

- Sore throat

- Severe muscle weakness

- Lack of appetite

As the disease progresses, it causes bleeding inside the body, as well as external bleeding from the
eyes, ears, nose, or mouth. Some people may vomit or cough up blood, experience bloody diarrhea,
and develop a rash. Stomach pain, along with reduced kidney and liver function, may follow.
Sometimes, it's difficult to determine if a person has Ebola based on symptoms alone.

TREATMENT FOR EBOLA

Currently, there is no definitive cure for Ebola virus disease, although various drug therapies are
under investigation. Dehydration is common among patients, so administering fluids intravenously is
a critical part of the supportive care. Monitoring and maintaining proper blood oxygen levels and
blood pressure are also essential. Ebola virus disease has a high fatality rate, with about 1 in 2 people
succumbing to the disease. Early medical intervention can significantly improve the chances of
survival. After recovery, a person's semen or breast milk may continue to carry the virus for a period
ranging from several weeks to several months.

WHERE IS EBOLA?
Ebola first emerged in Guinea and spread to Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Nigeria. It was identified
during two simultaneous outbreaks: one in Nzara, a town in South Sudan, and the other in Yambuku,
a village in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), near the Ebola River, from which the
disease derives its name. Ebola outbreaks occur intermittently in tropical regions of sub-Saharan
Africa. From 1976 to 2012, there were 24 outbreaks of Ebola, resulting in a total of 2,387 cases and
1,590 deaths. The largest Ebola outbreak to date was an epidemic in West Africa from December
2013 to January 2016, with 28,646 cases and 11,323 deaths. On 29 March 2016, the epidemic was
declared no longer an emergency. Other outbreaks have occurred in the Democratic Republic of the
Congo in May 2017 and 2018.

WHAT IS DIABETES?

Diabetes mellitus, commonly referred to as diabetes, is a collection of metabolic disorders

characterized by a high blood sugar level over an extended period. Acute complications can include
diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state, or even death. Serious long-term
complications consist of cardiovascular disease, stroke, chronic kidney disease, foot ulcers, and
damage to the nerves and eyes, along with cognitive impairment. The cause of diabetes is either the
pancreas not producing enough insulin or the cells of the body not responding appropriately to the
insulin produced. There are three main types of diabetes mellitus:

1. Type 1 diabetes, which is primarily due to the pancreas failing to produce enough insulin.

2. Type 2 diabetes, caused by the body's ineffective use of insulin.

3. Gestational diabetes, which is a condition that occurs in pregnant women without a previous
diagnosis of diabetes.

Each type of diabetes has unique causes, symptoms, and treatments.

THE DIABETES TYPES

Diabetes mellitus, commonly known as diabetes, is a metabolic disorder that results in high blood
sugar levels. Insulin, a hormone, facilitates the movement of sugar from the blood into cells for
storage or energy use. In diabetes, the body either produces insufficient insulin or doesn't use it
effectively, leading to untreated high blood sugar that can harm nerves, eyes, kidneys, and other
organs. There are several types of diabetes:

- Type 1 diabetes: An autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks insulin-producing
cells in the pancreas. The exact cause of this immune reaction is unknown. Approximately 10% of
people with diabetes have this type.
- Type 2 diabetes: Occurs when the body develops resistance to insulin, leading to increased blood
sugar levels.

- Prediabetes: Characterized by blood sugar levels that are higher than normal but not yet high
enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes.

- Gestational diabetes: Represents high blood sugar during pregnancy, caused by insulin-blocking
hormones produced by the placenta.

A distinct condition, diabetes insipidus, although similarly named, is not related to diabetes mellitus.
It's a separate disorder where the kidneys remove too much fluid from the body.

Each diabetes type has its own specific symptoms, causes, and treatments. Understanding the
differences between these types is essential for effective management and care.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DIABETES?:

The symptoms of diabetes result from elevated blood sugar levels. The general symptoms include:

- Increased hunger

- Increased thirst

- Weight loss

- Frequent urination

- Blurry vision

- Extreme fatigue

- Sores that don’t heal

SYMPTOMS IN MEN :

In addition to the general symptoms, men with diabetes may experience:

- Decreased sex drive

- Erectile dysfunction (ED)

- Poor muscle strength

SYMPTOMS IN WOMEN

Women with diabetes may experience:

- Urinary tract infections

- Yeast infections

- Dry, itchy skin

Type 1 Diabetes :

Symptoms include:

- Extreme hunger

- Increased thirst

- Unintentional weight loss

- Frequent urination

- Blurry vision

- Tiredness

- Mood changes

Type 2 Diabetes

Symptoms include:
- Increased hunger

- Increased thirst

- Increased urination

- Blurry vision

- Tiredness

- Sores that are slow to heal

- Recurring infections due to elevated glucose levels impairing the body's ability to heal

Gestational Diabetes

Most women with gestational diabetes do not experience any symptoms. The condition is often
discovered during routine blood sugar testing or an oral glucose tolerance test, typically performed
between the 24th and 28th weeks of gestation. In rare cases, a woman may experience increased thirst
or urination.

Here's the revised text with corrections for clarity and conciseness:

DIABETES PREVENTION

Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented as it is caused by an issue with the immune system. Similarly,
certain risk factors for type 2 diabetes, such as genetics or age, are beyond your control. However,
many diabetes risk factors are manageable. Prevention strategies for diabetes primarily focus on
making simple changes to your diet and exercise habits. If you have been diagnosed with prediabetes,
implementing the following measures can help delay or prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes:

- Engage in at least 150 minutes of aerobic exercise per week, like walking or cycling.

- Eliminate saturated and trans fats, as well as refined carbohydrates, from your diet.

- Increase your intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

- Consume smaller portions.

- Aim to lose 7 percent of your body weight if you're overweight or obese.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF DIABETES?

The causes vary across the different types of diabetes.

- Type 1 Diabetes: The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown. The immune system, for unknown
reasons, attacks and destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Genetics may influence
susceptibility in some cases. Additionally, it's possible that a virus might trigger the immune response.

- Type 2 Diabetes**: This type results from a mix of genetics and lifestyle factors. Being overweight
or obese significantly increases the risk. Excess weight, particularly around the abdomen, leads to
cellular resistance to insulin's effects on blood sugar. There's also a hereditary aspect, as family
members often share genes that increase the likelihood of type 2 diabetes and obesity.

- Gestational Diabetes: Hormonal changes during pregnancy cause this type. The placenta produces
hormones that reduce a pregnant woman's cell sensitivity to insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar
levels. Women who are overweight at the start of their pregnancy or who gain excessive weight
during pregnancy are at a higher risk.

In summary, both genetic and environmental factors contribute to the onset of diabetes.

WHAT ARE THE DIABETES RISK FACTORS?

Certain factors may increase your risk for developing diabetes.

- Type 1 Diabetes:

- Being a child or teenager.

- Having a parent or sibling with the condition.

- Carrying certain genes linked to the disease.

- Type 2 Diabetes:
 Your risk increases if you:

- Are overweight.

- Are aged 45 or older.

- Have a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes.

- Lead a sedentary lifestyle.

- Have had gestational diabetes.

- Have prediabetes.

- Have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or high triglycerides.

- Belong to certain racial or ethnic groups, including African American, Hispanic or Latino
American, Alaska Native, Pacific Islander, American Indian, or Asian American.

- Gestational Diabetes:

Your risk increases if you:

- Are overweight.

- Are over the age of 25.

- Had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy.

- Have given birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds.

- Have a family history of type 2 diabetes.

- Have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

WHAT IS HIV?

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks cells in the body that help fight
infection, making an individual more susceptible to other infections and diseases. It is primarily
spread through contact with certain bodily fluids of an infected person, most commonly during
unprotected sex or through sharing needles. HIV can progress to Acquired Immunodeficiency
Syndrome (AIDS), a condition where the immune system fails, allowing life-threatening opportunistic
infections and cancers to develop.

Once contracted, the body cannot eliminate HIV, and no effective cure exists, meaning that once you
have HIV, you have it for life. However, there are effective preventative measures such as pre-
exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).

HIV belongs to a group of viruses known as Lentivirus, part of the retrovirus family. Over time, HIV
causes AIDS by gradually destroying the immune system, which leads to a failure in defending
against severe infections and cancers. The average survival time after becoming infected with HIV is
estimated to be 9 to 11 years, depending on various factors including access to and effectiveness of
treatment.

Transmission of HIV is mainly sexual but can also occur from mother to child during pregnancy,
childbirth, or breastfeeding, through exposure to infected blood, vaginal fluids, pre-ejaculate, semen,
and breast milk. Within these fluids, HIV exists both as free virus particles and within infected
immune cells, such as CD4+ T cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells.

HIV infection leads to a decrease in CD4+ T cells through several mechanisms, including direct viral
killing, killing by cytotoxic lymphocytes, and apoptosis of uninfected cells. As CD4+ T cell numbers
fall below a critical level, the body loses its ability to combat opportunistic infections, ultimately
leading to AIDS.

WHAT DAMAGE CAN AN HIV INFECTION CAUSE?

HIV infection can lead to various complications, including:

- Pneumocystis Pneumonia (PCP): A severe fungal infection and the most common cause of
pneumonia in people with HIV.
- Candidiasis (Thrush): A frequent HIV-related infection, causing inflammation and a thick, white
coating in the mouth, tongue, esophagus, or vagina.

- Tuberculosis (TB): A leading cause of death among people with AIDS worldwide, TB is a
prevalent opportunistic infection associated with HIV.

- Cytomegalovirus: A herpes virus that remains dormant in the body under a healthy immune system.
In those with weakened immunity, such as HIV patients, it can resurface and damage organs including
the eyes, digestive tract, and lungs.

- Cryptococcal Meningitis: A serious infection of the brain and spinal cord's surrounding
membranes, caused by a fungus found in soil. It's a common central nervous system infection for
those with HIV.

- Toxoplasmosis: Caused by the Toxoplasma gondii parasite, primarily spread by cats. This infection
can be deadly, leading to heart disease and seizures when it affects the brain.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF HIV INFECTIONS?

The symptoms of HIV and AIDS can vary depending on the phase of infection.

- Primary Infection (Acute HIV):* Shortly after infection (2 to 4 weeks), some individuals develop
a flu-like illness that may last a week or two. Symptoms can include:

- Fever

- Headache

- Muscle aches and joint pain

- Rash

- Sore throat and painful mouth sores

 - Swollen lymph glands, mainly on the neck

- Diarrhea

- Weight loss

- Cough

- Night sweats

After these initial symptoms disappear, the virus may not cause any symptoms for many years,
despite continuing to damage the immune system. This stage is known as primary (acute) HIV
infection. During this phase, the amount of virus in the bloodstream is high, making the infection
more contagious.

- Clinical Latent Infection (Chronic HIV): In this stage, HIV remains in the body and white blood
cells but may not cause any overt symptoms or infections for many years, although the stage can vary
significantly among individuals.

- Progression to AIDS:Without treatment, HIV infection can progress to AIDS, presenting more
severe symptoms, including:

- Persistent, unexplained fatigue

- Swollen lymph glands

- Oral yeast infection (thrush)

- Shingles (herpes zoster)

- Pneumonia

- Sweats

- Chills

- Persistent white spots or unusual lesions on your tongue or in your mouth

- Weakness

- Weight loss
These symptoms may be mild and easily overlooked in the early stages. However, as the infection
progresses, especially without treatment, they can become more severe and potentially life-
threatening.

HOW IS LIFE LIVING WITH HIV?

Living with HIV has changed dramatically with advancements in treatment. Taking effective HIV
treatment and achieving an undetectable viral load drastically reduces the risk of transmitting HIV to
others. In addition to medical treatment, it's recommended to:

- Engage in regular exercise

- Follow a healthy diet

- Stop smoking

While there is no cure for HIV and AIDS, with proper treatment, the immune system can remain
robust enough to prevent life-threatening illnesses such as cancer and severe infections.

It is important to clarify that stopping sexual activity is not a necessary recommendation for people
living with HIV. With effective treatment, individuals with HIV can maintain a normal and healthy
sex life. It's crucial for educational materials to reflect the latest in medical guidance and
advancements in HIV treatment.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF HIV INFECTIONS?

HIV is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus. To become infected with HIV, infected blood,
semen, or vaginal secretions must enter your body through various means:

- Sexual Transmission : The virus can be transmitted through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex
with an HIV-positive person.

- Drug Use: Sharing needles or syringes with someone who is HIV-positive can transmit the virus.
- Mother-to-Child Transmission : HIV can be passed from an infected mother to her baby during
pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.

- Blood Transfusions and Organ Transplants: Although rare due to stringent screening processes,
HIV can be transmitted through transfusions of infected blood or the transplantation of infected
organs.

It's important to clarify some misconceptions:

- **Kissing, Touching, and Sharing Objects**: HIV cannot be transmitted through casual contact,
such as kissing (unless both parties have significantly open sores or bleeding gums), touching, or
sharing utensils or toilet seats with an HIV-positive person.

- Sweat, Urine, or Saliva: HIV is not transmitted through sweat, urine, or saliva.

HIV requires a direct route to the bloodstream to infect someone, which can occur through mucous
membranes, open cuts or sores, or direct injection. The virus can also enter the body through small
tears that may develop in the rectum or vagina during sexual activity.

Sharing drug paraphernalia puts individuals at high risk of HIV and other infectious diseases, such as
hepatitis. The risk associated with blood transfusions is significantly lower in countries with advanced
screening techniques.

HIV is a fragile virus that does not survive well outside the body, which limits the ways it can be
transmitted.

Here's a revised version of the text with accurate information on HIV prevention and removing
misinformation:

HOW CAN YOU PREVENT THE SPREADING OF HIV?

While there is no vaccine to prevent HIV infection and no cure for HIV/AIDS, you can protect
yourself and others from infection. Effective strategies to prevent the spread of HIV include:

- Using condoms during sex : Consistent and correct use of latex condoms significantly reduces the
risk of HIV transmission.
- Limiting sexual partners : Reducing the number of sexual partners decreases the chances of
exposure to HIV.

- Practicing safe sex: Engage in safer sexual behaviors such as mutual monogamy, where you and
your partner only have sex with each other and are aware of each other's HIV status.

- Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP): For those at high risk of HIV, taking PrEP daily can
significantly reduce their risk of getting HIV from sex or drug use.

- Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP): If you think you’ve been exposed to HIV, starting PEP within
72 hours and taking it for 28 days can reduce your risk of HIV infection.

- Never sharing needles : For drug users, using sterile injecting equipment and never sharing needles
or syringes can prevent HIV transmission.

- Testing and treatment for STDs: Since having another sexually transmitted disease can increase
the risk of contracting or transmitting HIV, regular testing and treatment are important.

Misconceptions to correct:

- Touching or hugging: HIV cannot be transmitted through casual contact such as touching, hugging,
or sharing food and drinks.

- Living with HIV-positive individuals: With proper precautions and understanding of transmission
methods, you can safely interact with and be around individuals living with HIV.

Choosing to engage in informed and responsible behaviors can significantly reduce the risk of
spreading HIV. Consult healthcare professionals or trusted health information sources for the most
accurate and up-to-date information on HIV prevention.