CHURCH OF SOUTH INDIA HOSPITAL

BANGALORE

(Karnataka Central Diocese)

No.2, Hazarat Kambal Posh Road,

Bangalore 560 051

 

                                           NEWS LETTER    

(For private circulation only)

 

 

                                       “To  have  good  fruits  you must have

a healthy tree; if you have a poor tree,

                                          you  will  have  bad  fruit.  A  tree   is

   known  by  the  kind  of fruit  it bears.”

Matthew 12:33.

 

SPECIAL PRAYERS

Tutors                                                                                                                   

Y F C                                     

Radiology                                 - Mr. Kersome, Staff and Students

Administration              - Mr. David  Raju and Staff

Maintenance &             - Mr. Shanthakumar, Mr. Paul,

House Keeping                Mr. Nathan, Ms. Morisa and Staff

 

CHAPEL SERVICE

Saturday                                   - 8.30am

Sunday                         - 6.00pm

Monday to Friday                     - 6.45am          - For Students

Wednesday                              - 1.00pm          - Prayer- all are welcome

Thursday                                  - 12.30pm        - House Keeping Staff

 

VISITOR

Rev. John Weir, Chaplain, Holy Trinity Church, Chaplaincy of Dubai & Sharjah

with the Northern Emirates (Anglican Diocese of Cyprus & Gulf).

 

NEW EQUIPMENT

A new sign board has been erected at the main entrance of our Hospital.  This Sign Board is back lit and glows brilliantly in the night to attract patients and passers by. 

 

A Surge Suppressor has been installed for our Telephone Board on six incoming lines to prevent damage during lightening and storms.

 

Baby Care Phototherapy unit for the Paediatric Department

 

A Nebulizer for the Geriatric Ward.

YOUTH WORLD

Youth are always curious, energetic, enthusiastic, accepting challenges, skilled, bold, full of zeal to learn. But, they need guidance, vision and atmosphere to explore and use their talents and resources in a beneficial manner. Hence the  Chaplaincy Department is planning to start a systematic Bible Study every month in the News Letter. Please pray, participate and be blessed.

                          

 

 

NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF MEDICINE

 

Human Immunodeficiency Virus and AIDS

Since its first description in 1981 in the United States of America AIDS has spread like wild fire to engulf the entire world. India reported its first case in the year 1986 from Chennai and it has not looked back since then. Though the spread of this dreaded disease is under control in the developed countries, it is playing havoc in developing countries including India where it is spreading at an alarming rate particularly among young people. It is estimated that 4 million people have been infected with the AIDS virus in our country out of a total of about 43 million in the world. One of the main reasons for the rampant spread of the disease in developing countries is the lack of awareness of HIV and AIDS. The next section is an attempt to clarify some of the most often asked questions.

 

1.                  What is HIV?

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). Persons who have the HIV infection are said to be HIV Positive. The virus passes from person to person blood to blood and through sexual contact. The other mode of transmission is from the HIV positive pregnant woman to her baby during pregnancy, labour or through breast feeding.

 

2.                  How is an HIV Positive person different from an AIDS patient?

An HIV Positive person as mentioned above is a person who has been infected by the HIV. He or she may or may not show any symptoms of the disease. An AIDS patient on the other hand is a person who has developed the symptoms and signs of the disease. It is now known that most of those who are HIV Positive will ultimately develop AIDS. But the time taken for a person to develop the disease varies a lot depending upon the individual’s general health, nutrition and so on. On the whole about half of those who are infected develop AIDS by 10 years after acquiring the infection.

 

3.                  How does HIV cause AIDS?

HIV destroys a certain kind of White Blood Cell called the CD4 Positive T-lymphocyte. This cell is vital to the immune system which protects an individual from infectious diseases. It is not difficult to see what happens when these cells are destroyed. The individual is left with no immunity and becomes vulnerable to all kinds of infections, which can be fatal. The immune system also protects an individual from cancers. Hence when the immunity is lost, the person can develop certain types of cancers, which again end fatally.

 

4.                  Some people say that HIV does not cause AIDS. Is this true?

This unfortunately is not true. There is conclusive evidence to show that HIV invariably causes AIDS in most of those who are infected with it.

 

5.                  How do people get infected with HIV?

Unprotected sexual contact with an infected person. Transfusion of  infected           blood and blood products. Sharing of needles contaminated with infected blood. An infected woman to her baby during pregnancy, delivery or through breast-feeds.

 

6.                  Can tattoo or ear piercing transmit HIV infection?

Tattooing, ear piercing, acupuncture and some kinds of dental work all involve instruments that must be sterile to avoid infection. In general, you should refrain from any procedure where the skin is pierced, unless absolutely necessary. Use of shared razors and scissors in hair dressing saloons and beauty parlours can also be risky.

 

7.                  Why is the AIDS epidemic considered so serious? 

As of now, AIDS is incurable and there is no vaccine to prevent it. It affects people primarily when they are most productive and leads to premature death thereby severely affecting the socio-economic structure of whole families, communities and countries.

 

8.                  Is there a link between AIDS and Tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis is the commonest infection that occurs in those with AIDS. The incidence of TB is very high in those with AIDS and very often the TB is resistant to the commonly used anti-TB drugs. Thus, we see that because of the AIDS epidemic TB, particularly the drug resistant variety is also becoming more common.

 

9.                  Is it possible to prevent HIV in infants who are born to women who are 

            HIV Positive?

About 30 percent of babies born to HIV Positive women become infected. This     can be prevented to a very large extent by treating the pregnant mother and the infant with drugs called Anti-retroviral agents. This is called Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission and is freely available.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How HIV is not Transmitted 1.                    Day to day contact in schools and workplace 2.                    Shaking hands, hugging, and casual kissing. 3.                    Sharing eating and drinking utensils, bathroom / toilet facilities and other objects used by the infected person. 4.                    Bites of mosquitoes, fleas and other insects. 5.                    Through coughing and sneezing.

ABC approach to AIDS prevention 1.                   A – Abstinence in unmarried people 2.                   B – Be faithful to your spouse. 3.                   C – Use of condoms in those who are sexually active.

 

 

 

 

 

 

	From the Bible 1.       Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled; for God will judge the immoral and adulterous. (Hebrews 13:4) 2.       ….but an adulteress stalks a man's very life. (Proverbs 6:26)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PUBLISHED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC RELATIONS