We know you're busy, but we'd love it if you'd take a seat and spend a few minutes with us to read about a topic many women think will never affect them: AIDS.
December 1st was World AIDS day. Humanity has come a long way when it comes to treating and preventing AIDS, which is the late-stage form of HIV, but recently a huge challenge has arisen: COVID-19.
Infections in many countries are on the rise because stay-at-home orders and lockdowns reduce access to services that normally slow the spread of HIV. HIV medication has improved by leaps and bounds, and testing programs have spread far and wide. However, some people can't access them while a pandemic is in full force. Women's healthcare isn't prioritized everywhere. In some parts of the world, if a woman wonders, "Is there a gynecologist near me?" the answer is, sadly, no.
In many places, it's still common for babies to be born with HIV after contracting it from their mothers in the womb. If we want an HIV-free future, we need to give mothers preventative treatment, so they don't accidentally transmit HIV to their children.
In 2018, 60,000 Georgians were living with HIV. 2,600 were newly diagnosed. Within twelve months of diagnosis, many of the 2,600 newly diagnosed Georgians were subsequently diagnosed with AIDS.
AIDS develops late into the course of HIV, and early testing is necessary to keep HIV from morphing into AIDS.
Many women with HIV don't even know they have it. Early symptoms are non-specific and often short-lived before giving way to a lengthy stretch without symptoms. This is why it's so important to get tested for HIV even if you don't think you've experienced any symptoms.
As women's doctors in Snellville, we feel strongly about preventing HIV in babies. Modern medicine allows pregnant women with HIV to avoid giving it to their babies. However, when mothers don't know they have HIV, they don't get the care they and their babies need. We at Gwinnett OBGYN want to make sure that no mother passes HIV to her baby.
There are so many reasons for us to be hopeful when it comes to HIV/AIDS. The successful race for a COVID-19 vaccine should inspire communities to work even harder to develop a vaccine for HIV so that someday, together, we can eradicate it once and for all.
If you want to get tested for HIV and you're wondering, "Where can I find a gynecologist near me?" then we have the answer. Call Gwinnett OBGYN of Snellville, GA at (770) 972-0330 to make your appointment. We're passionate about keeping every woman informed and healthy, and we look forward to seeing you.
