Living with HIV/AIDS

Introduction

AIDS can affect anyone whether Christadelphian or non-Christadelphian, either directly or indirectly, so we all need to be educated about this topic.

The HIV/AIDS epidemic was first recognised globally in the early 1980s.

• HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus

• AIDS stands for Acquired (become infected) Immune (the body’s resistance to infection) Deficiency (weakened by the virus) Syndrome (the illness has a group of symptoms). AIDS is therefore the underlying loss of resistance to other infections and many different infections can then infect the patient.

Cause and transmission

AIDS is caused by a virus, a tiny germ which cannot live by itself: it can only live inside another living organism. The HIV virus is transmitted through the exchange of bodily fluids: blood, semen and vaginal fluids.

A person who has HIV cannot transmit it to another person by way of:

Features of the disease

A person who has AIDS may have some of the following signs and symptoms:

Treatment

Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs are used to prevent HIV from multiplying in the body. It allows the body to re-build itself and thus helps the body to fight against the infection that persons living with HIV/AIDS can develop.

Education is given to the public to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS.

As followers of Christ we have a responsibility to change/influence this world of ours. Therefore let us work together to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS by our example and preaching.

People living with HIV/AIDS need support; they need to be cared for. Some people want to blame those living with AIDS for having the disease, but one needs to know that anyone can get the disease. Many people contract it from an unfaithful spouse or by sharing needles with an infected person. People with HIV/AIDS could be our friends, brothers and/or sisters.

What is our position as Christadelphians? Should we strive against those who are wayward? The scripture says that the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men (2 Timothy 2:24). Repentance with baptism causes forgiveness for such sins (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

Many people do not change from evil deeds and repent, for they prefer to enjoy themselves today, then die tomorrow: a similar life-style to those people in Isaiah’s days (Isaiah 22:12,13). Scripture says that those who reject God will be punished (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10).

Conclusion

Followers of Christ should hear what scripture says:

• Sex out of marriage is wrong (Hebrews 13:4)

• Homosexuality is wrong (1 Corinthians 6:9)

• Experimenting with drugs is wrong

These are the things that put a person at a greater risk of contracting HIV which leads to AIDS. We should therefore exercise our minds to live in accordance with God’s word since godliness is profitable in this life and that to come – the Kingdom of God (1 Timothy 4:8).

Sis Elizabeth Europe (Guyana)