Recently, Guangdong Technion - Israel Institute of Technology (GTIIT) partnered with multiple medical units to launch diverse health education activities, promoting a healthy and upward lifestyle among students.

AIDS Prevention

December 1st marks the 37th "World AIDS Day", with the theme in China being "Take the rights path". To enhance students' awareness of AIDS prevention, GTIIT organized a knowledge-sharing activity and invited experts from the Jinping District Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of Shantou for consultation.

Next to a red banner, staff actively distributed AIDS prevention manuals to participants, complemented by informative exhibition boards, guiding students to engage in related quizzes. The booths set on both campuses turned into a robust line of AIDS defense at this moment.

At the event, the doctors detailed the transmission routes, preventive measures, and post-exposure prevention methods of AIDS, aiming to eliminate the misconceptions out of students’ mind and instill the right concepts into it.

Autumn Healthcare

As the weather turns cooler, GTIIT organized an autumn healthcare activity and invited experts from the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College to provide consultations, tailoring personalized health plans for GTers.

The games at the event attracted passersby to join in. They identified the five colors of food and various herbs, learning health maintenance knowledge amidst laughter and joy.

At the site, doctors took pulses and inquired about health issues, offering prescriptions for the concerns of the participants. A participating student said it’s very interesting, not only teaching him professional health concepts but also brought him special warmth after all-day study.

About AIDS

What is AIDS?

AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. It is a serious illness that develops when HIV damages the immune system to an extent that the system can no longer fight off a range of infections it would normally cope with.

HIV is the not the same as AIDS. AIDS develops only if HIV is left untreated.

Risky Behaviors of Getting HIV

1) Source of infection: HIV-infected people and AIDS patients.

2) Transmission: HIV is mainly found in the blood, semen, vaginal secretions and breast milk of infected people and patients.

- Unprotected sex with a HIV-infected partner.

- Sharing unsterilized injection tools infected by HIV with others.

- During pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, HIV-infected mothers may transmit the virus to babies.

- Transfusion of blood and blood products contaminated with HIV.

Everyday activities such as handshakes, hugs, polite kisses, eating and drinking together, sharing toilets and bathrooms, sharing offices, and contacts by public transport and recreational facilities will not spread HIV.

Symptoms

Some people have flu-like symptoms within 2 to 4 weeks after infection, which is called Acute HIV Infectious. It may last for a few days or several weeks. Possible symptoms include: fever, chills, rash, night sweats, muscle aches, sore throat, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, mouth ulcers.

HIV Prevention

1) The use of condoms is one of the most effective preventive measures in sex.

2) It is strictly forbidden to take drugs. Do not share syringes with others.

3) Do not use blood transfusion or blood products without authorization. They should be used under doctors' guidance.

4) Do not borrow or share personal items, namely toothbrushes, razors, shaving knives, etc.

5) Insist on self-love and avoid high-risk sexual behaviors.

6) Avoid direct contact with AIDS patients' blood, semen and breast milk to cut off its transmission channels.

Testing Agency

Go for a health care provider if you may have been exposed to HIV. Getting test for HIV is the only way to know for sure whether you are infected.

Shantou AIDS Voluntary Counseling and Testing Agency:

- Shantou CDC

Consultation hotline: 0754-88280646

- Shantou Jinping District CDC

Consultation hotline: 0754-88684323

Shantou AIDS Antiviral Treatment Clinic

- Shantou Central Hospital

Consultation hotline: 0754-88530091/0754-82775165

Text/Photos: GTIIT News & Public Affairs, GTIIT Operations Department