Lifeline — Fear of AIDS

Any exchange of secretions like blood, semen, vaginal fluids from an infected person to an uninfected one can transmit HIV, whether by sexual intercourse, blood transfusion (not donation), infected needles, syringes and medical equipment or from a mother to her unborn child.

HIV is also found in saliva and thus oral sex can theoretically lead to the transmission of infection from the woman to the man. Abrasions, tears, sores on the genitals facilitate the transmission. It can occur in their absence as well, as HIV is capable of crossing intact mucous membranes. Furthermore, one year is too long a period and the person could have acquired the infection in the recent past. Even an ELISA negative is no guarantee of the person being free of the infection, as the person may very well be in the `window period’ of the infection. The infection in the first 12 to 14 weeks does not show up in an ELISA test even if the person is HIV positive. This is the window period.Hair Raising

Q My seven-year-old daughter does not like visiting my sister’s house as her cousin of the same age once remarked that she is too hairy. How do I manage her and her body hair?
P Sainath, Mulund

Many children have more than normal body hair which may cause concern to both the parent and child alike. The growth is usually within the normal physiological range even for girls and it’s important to differentiate between hirsutism and pseudo-hirsutism.

Hirsutism is said to be present when out of the four types of hair, terminal hair, which is coarse and pigmented, is found on a girl’s body. Children usually show the presence of lanugo hair which is fine and silky. These hair reduce by time, especially after puberty and any remaining hair are quite amenable to cosmetic camouflage. Children are sensitive by nature, and also reflect parents and relatives attitudes towards their bodies. Encourage the child to visit your sister’s place by being positive about her family and being enthusiastic about your visits to her place. Talk to your sister and see that her child understands your daughter’s apprehension. Children can be caring if we make them take the responsibility!

Stressed out

Q I am 31 years old and suffer from a chronic cough due to an allergy. I also have piles. I am unable to sleep for more than two to three hours a day and cannot sustain a proper erection. My palms and soles are ice cold, though I exercise regularly. Please help.
Subba Rao

Most of your problems can be explained with one word: stress! The icy palms and soles, the allergic cough and the insomnia have chronic stress underlying them. All these contribute to erection difficulties which leads to a further increase in the stress level. Stress is inevitable and in small doses is supposed to be beneficial as a motivating factor. The same stress in large doses becomes unmanageable and the law of diminishing returns sets in. Managing it is an acquired art and needs a great amount of tact, application and innovation. Yoga, meditation and Reiki are some proven methods to beat stress.

Have a medical test done, especially for the piles. Eat food richer in fibre and roughage, with lots of fluids. Get the piles corrected surgically, if required, as the continuous loss of blood leads to avoidable complications. If you do not have any underlying organic cause, the erection difficulties will respond to stress management, relaxation and sound sleep. Give it some time and effort and then see the results.