I you have seen already how HIV is transmitted through sex, blood and needles. HIV is also spread from mother to child, during pregnancy, child birth or breast-feeding. There is generally a 40% chance of an HIV positive woman giving the virus to her child during any of these three stages. Specifically; there is a 25% chance of an HIV positive woman giving the virus to her unborn child during pregnancy or birth and a 15% chance of HIV transmission through breast-feeding.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON TRANSMISSION DURING PREGNANCY & CHILDBIRTH.
Q1. If i have HIV and i get pregnant, can i pass it to my baby?
Ans. Yes. Overall, there is up to a 40% chance of a woman passing HIV to her child. About 25% of infants with HIV are infected during or before their birth; about 15% of infants with HIV are infected through breast-feeding.

Q2. How can a mother avoid HIV to her unborn baby?
Ans. There are medicines that an HIV positive woman can take †☺ reduce the chances of giving HIV to her baby through the birthing process. It is important to note, however, that these medicines are not available in all parts of Nigeria. These drugs are called ANTI-RETROVIRALS (ARV). There are different kinds of ARVs, some of which are available in Nigeria.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON TRANSMISSION DURING BREAST-FEEDING.
Q1. Can an infected mother give HIV to her baby through breast-feeding?
Ans. Yes. There is a small risk of about 15% that breast-feeding mother will pass the HIV virus to her child through her breast milk. This means that one out of every seven HIV positive mothers may pass the virus to her child through breast milk.
However, there is a larger risk that a baby will get other sickness or not grow well if a mother doesn't exclusivelu breast-feed her infant for the first 6months of its life, starting from birth. For this reason, HIV positive mothers should be encouraged to breast-feed exclusively for the first 6months of their children's lives.

Q2. What are the alternatives for HIV positive mothers who want to avoid giving HIV to their babies through breast-feeding?
Ans. For most women and their babies, breast-feeding for the first 6months is still the Best option regardless of their HIV status, but for those women who are certain they don't want to breast feed, they can also reduce the risk of passing HIV to their babies by choosing one of the following options;
->boiling the pumped breast milk.
->using a wet nurse.
->giving the baby formula food for the first 6months.


Finally a woman should seek early and regular prenatal care from her doctor.

Share this information today, because you might save a life.

BREAST CANCER......... What to hope; How to cope.

In time past, a doctor would tell a woman with breast cancer that her only hope lay in radical mastectomy-a disfiguring operation that remove the breast, lymph nodes in the chest and armpit, and chest muscle. Chemotherapy or radiation treatments often prolong the ordeal. Understandably, many dread the "cure" more than the disease.
The battle against breast cancer has been an ongoing struggle between the need to treat a killer aggressively and the desire to avoid needless disfigurement and painful side effects.
Today's breast cancer patients may have a range of treatment option.# And a steady stream of medical studies and media reports hold out hope that breakthrough treatments,predictive tests, and protective diets will finally conquer the disease. Despite medical advances, however, breast cancer remains a leading cause of female cancer death.

SIGNS TO WATCH OUT FOR:
Early detection is crucial, but some studies caution that breast exams and mammograms maybe less accurate in younger women, resulting in unnecessary treatment and anxiety. However, experts strongly urge women to watch for changes in their breast and lymph nodes. Here are some signs to watch out for:

• A lump or thickening anywhere in the armpit or breast.
• Any discharge other than breast milk from the nipples.
• Any change in color or texture of the skin.
• An abnormally pushed-in or tender nipples.

IF YOU ARE DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER;
• Expect to spend a year or more focusing on treatment.
• When possible,choose competent doctors who respect your needs and feelings.
• With your family, tell them your situation. This will allow your friends and love ones to show their love for you.
• Cope with emotional strain by talking with others who have had breast cancer and survived it.
• Try to focus on today's concerns, not tomorrow's. "Never be anxious about the next day."
• Budget your energy. You need sufficient rest.

TALKING WITH YOUR DOCTOR;
• Learn about the basic medical vocabulary of breast cancer.
• Before seeing your doctor, list your questions, and ask your mate or a companion to come with you to help take notes.
• If your doctor says something you don't understand, ask him/her to explain.
• Ask your doctor how many of your case he/she have handled. Where possible, get a second opinion if you aren't satisfy with the answer.

COPING WITH SIDE EFFECTS;
Side effects of some cancer treatments may include nausea, hair loss, chronic tiredness, pain, numbness or tingling i̶̲̥̅̊n̶̲̥̅̊ extremities and skin reaction. The following simple steps may reduce such effects:
• Eat well to strengthen your immune system.
• Keep a log of your energy levels and your reactions to foods.
• See if medications, acupuncture, or massage lessen nausea and pains.
• Exercise regularly to increase your stamina, control your weight and improve your immune response.*
• Rest often, but be aware that prolong periods in bed may increase fatigue.

• Keep your skin moist. Wear loose clothing. Bath warm water.


Finally, this is indeed a crucial fact to always remember and consider in womanhood. Do regular and daily self check-up to know your status and where u seem necessary, visit your doctor. Tell someone about this today, you could save a life you know! Build hope for the future in your present.