Dear Counsellor:

I'm HIV positive and also 12 weeks pregnant. I'm not sure how to go about telling my boyfriend, because to tell you the truth, I knew about my HIV status before I met him but I wanted to fulfil my dreams of having a baby for the man I love. Now I am concerned about my baby, will he become infected?

Pregnant and Worried

Dear Pregnant and Worried:

Your baby may not become infected because not all babies that are born to HIV infected mothers will become infected. Treatments are available that could prevent transmission of HIV from your baby, but you must discuss the pregnancy and your HIV status with a HIV knowledgeable health care provider and a counsellor immediately. You must now realise that you have also placed 'the man you love' at risk for HIV the virus that causes AIDS and so in addition to discussing prevention of HIV to your baby you must also discuss the possibility of infection to your partner with a health care provider also.

treating PID

Dear Counsellor:

I had severe pain in my belly bottom and sometimes I pass a little blood from my vagina. Sex is usually very painful. I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with PID. How is PID-treated and are there any long-term effects?

Worried Girl

Dear Worried Girl:

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is treated with antibiotics, bed rest, and sexual abstinence. In more severe cases the PID-infected person may even need to be hospitalised and surgery may become necessary to remove infected, scarred tissue or to repair or remove the fallopian tubes or uterus.

It is important for you to follow your doctor's instructions carefully because PID can have long-term effects such as sterility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pain. In some cases even with treatment the damage caused to the reproductive organs by PID may not be able to be repaired.

sore on genitals

Dear Counsellor:

I noticed a blistery sore on my penis and I painted it with a purple liquid dressing I bought over the counter. A nurse friend told me it is good for sores. To be truthful it really helps me but deep in my heart I am thinking that it may not be an ordinary sore. Could it be some kind of sexual disease?

Jerry

Dear Jerry:

Yes, if you are a sexually active person who does not use condom then it is very possible that the sore you describe on your penis could be a symptom of a sexually transmitted infection. AIDS Affairs is almost sure you did not tell your nurse friend that the sore was on your penis. A sore or ulcer is usually present on the genital when a person is infected with any of the following sexually transmitted infections (STIs):

❒ Syphilis, chancroid, herpes, granuloma inguinale or lymphogranuloma venereum

Therefore if you have:

❒ one or several sores occurring on the sex organ

❒ Pain in the general area

❒ Swollen lymph glands in the groin area

❒ Tender and painful glands

❒ A developed abscess which may burst and discharge thick smelly pus, 'flu-like' aches and pains.

You may be infected with an STI and you should see a doctor immediately. Do not take medication from anyone and don't buy anything over the counter, but see a health care provider so that you can be diagnosed and properly treated.

For more information on condom use, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections call the AIDS/STD Helpline at 976-3830, 967-3764 or toll free at 1888-991-4444 or write to AIDS Affairs, c/o the Star, 7 North Street, Kingston.