Consultative workshop on Mother’s to Child Transmission of STDs

 

“We envisage a world where no Child suffer and dies from STDs and No child is left orphan because of it either”

Since the ancient days it is known that some diseases are communicable and triggers mass epidemics. Epidemic gives rises of myths and discrimination that only makes things worse for the people suffering. These people are often left to die untouched and unattended. Although it is advisable to maintain precaution but right precaution is necessary to ensure wellbeing of not only the person suffering but also of the community. There are various ways a communicable disease can spread, whether it is by a vector like mosquitoes and mice or often it is through aerial means or through contact surfaces. There are, however, certain diseases that spread only via sexual contact. Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) spread across only via sexual contact and not via physical contact or aerial means.  AIDS and Syphilis are the major STDs prevalent in India. However, like any other communicable disease, they are shrouded with myths and misconception. Medically, one can become HIV positive but might not show any symptoms but is subjected to social discrimination, but despite these discriminations, it is spreading across the community like wildfire. These being sexually transmitted affect the entire family and can pass on to the child, since it can spread from womb and/or during lactation.

Mere social distancing and discrimination, as discussed earlier, will fail to check the spread but will only make the matter worse for the person with HIV as he/she will be subjected to discrimination leading to depression. It is imperative that general public must be made aware of how it transmits and what precautionary method should one take to keep him/her healthy and avoid stigmatization of person suffering from it.  Unprotected sexual intercourse or usage of used syringe and barber’s blade are the things public needs to avoid at any cost. Social and physical contact will not lead to transmission.

Apart from person to person contact, there is a high probability for mother to child transmission as well. This can be prevented if the mother takes necessary precautions and steps, steps includes, mandatory HIV testing, and regular intake of ART. The objective behind this workshop is to sensitive all medical professional, gynecologists or not on preventive measures to save a child from mother to child infection.  Every doctor or medical professional must advise the mother to take precautionary measures whenever they came across a pregnant mother, whether or not she is tested positive, since HIV might have a prolonged window period without any symptoms. It is therefore responsibility of every single doctor or medical professional including a nurse or a compounder to advice every mother on undertaking necessary steps starting with a mandatory HIV test. It is thus the intension behind this joint initiative with UNICEF and Niyatee Foundation to ensure that no child suffers from STD and no child is left orphan because of it.