POISON ON PARADE: MY EXPERIENCE AS A LABORATORY ASSISTANT [1]By: Muneer Yaqub
On a lighter mode, I find it quite amusing that most people get perplexed on finding out about my being a scientist. This is probably due to the rareness of such an enthusiasm as mine for social affairs among dwellers of the scientific community. Well, the truth is that in spite of my undiluted love for science [life science in particular], I still pick up intense interest in dynamicity and versatility, perhaps on account of my phobia for staticity and stagnation.
My slight headache, however, is still the world of business. To me, occupants thereof speak in gibberish and balderdash. I don’t find that strange any longer though. I had figured it out since I began dozing off in business-studies classes during my junior high school days. More clearly even, while hiding in neighbouring classrooms during lessons of senior high school economics. Besides that, however, I’m just a fervid scientist who is likewise passionate about other things.
In the last couple of months, I was on a mandatory just-completed training session both at a state hospital around where I live and a diagnostic centre not too far away.
There I got enlightened about quite a handful of popular health-related myths and misconceptions. Some revelations came as shockers while others only sought to justify my long overdue skepticism. In either ways, however, I deem it necessary to share these discoveries with the naïve populace in a view to stimulating orientation thereof. Subsequently, I shall bring to limelight, one after the other, selected infections and diseases that are often undermined but are closer to us than we ever imagined.
HIV/AIDS:
I had never expected such an overwhelming crowd in what was referred to as Heart-2-Heart. A clinic it was, where free checkups and drugs were dosed out to patients infected with HIV. Impossible! These must be malaria patients instead. Or are these people playing on my intelligence? But by the time I got exposed to the greatness of the tendency of being infected with this deadly virus, the unbelievable became believable: every 30seconds, a Nigerian woman, man or child gets infected with HIV virus!
To further aggravate my stunning discovery, I was transferred to the Testing & Counseling unit of the clinic, where all general outpatients were tested for HIV prior to any treatment at the hospital. While the unlucky ‘positive’ ones get referral to the Heart-2-Heart, after series of consolations, persuasions and counseling. More like a ticket to joining the club of HIV-patients already on medication. And to my utmost dismay, invariably five or seven positive results were recorded every day. As a matter of fact, the number of HIV-positive patients I have personally tested, confirmed, and counseled within a few weeks must have been far above thirty— if not forty!
The famous notion that only unfaithful spouses and promiscuous singles who perceive condoms as obstacles to absolute sexual fun are disposed to getting infected with this monstrous virus is downright weak. I have seen a 7-year-old child tested HIV-positive. Is that a result of adultery too? No. There are other crucial causal factors of HIV infection often deemed insignificant by people; the major of which is ‘infected sharp objects.’
That razor blade with which you just cut your nails, where did you get it from? Somewhere on the ground or by the side of your window? Wait a minute, you go to the barber’s shop without a personal clipper, and still allow your head to be shaved with an unsterilized one?
Dear fine girl, why not have a private plaiting kits instead of borrowing scissors and comb from the neighbor-next-door or allowing hairstylists use infected ones on you? Hey! Yes, you! Who told you your brother’s toothbrush is automatically yours? Is your food automatically his too? Let me tell you, when it comes to HIV, trust no one! For you never can tell what they do behind your back.
You have kids? Take a deep breathe and listen to me. How many ears have you? The most vulnerable set of people with a great tendency of stumbling upon this deadly virus are the children. They escape parental watch almost everyday to join their peers at school of whose health status is unknown.
It’s not uncommon that there may abound some kids who could have inherited HIV from their infected mothers through mother-to-child transmission, during pregnancy or breastfeeding, probably as a result of shabby antenatal checkups. And when these kids interact with one another, particularly through sharp objects: sharpening pencils with a shared razor blade which often inflict their hands with cuts, stabbing each other with pen, sometimes compass or nails; the risk of HIV infection inclines within them, and at times extends to their various relatives back home.
It is, thus, essential for parents to relentlessly lay emphasis on the effect of sharp objects in the ears of their kids, and the need to always shun it. Parents must also hold teachers of their children accountable for keeping a vigilant eye on them at all times. HIV is real!
As for you, Mr and Mrs players, I’m not here to admonish you to abstain from illegitimate sexual intercourse— it’s non of my business. Just make sure you don’t try it without a condom; as that might be the end of an HIV-free you! However, as you’re about proceed; do bear in mind that condoms don’t offer 100% protection. Oh…You want to double it? You’re just about to worsen the situation; as it might sway off on the run. Better still, why not try abstinence!
As at the time of writing, there’s yet an absolute cure for HIV/AIDS— although, research is still ongoing; and, in fact, just recently, the news of a new discovery still on trial broke in. However, as glad tidings to HIV-carriers [and anyone who likes to join the club], drugs that suppress the strength of and reduce the growth of the virus in the body system abound, and are dished out for free.
So, it’s definitely not the end of the world, as an insignificant-HIV-count status is achievable. An HIV-carrier can live a normal life: get married to an HIV-free partner, have sex, give birth, go to work and walk down the street like an average person— as long as they are under proper medication. As a matter of fact, that bosom friend of yours or that man or woman that just greeted you good morning may be under HIV care; how would you know? Life has been made easy!
What about you? You don’t know your HIV-status? I think it’s high time you did. Visit a general hospital; it’s for free. I know mine; I’m good. If you don’t make it, however, don’t feel bad; it’s not the end of the world. And if you do, stay away from it’s bait— and do go back every third month to recheck. I’ve said my own: HIV is real!