Condoms: Past, present, and future.

Though many methods of prevention of STI/HIV are available, condoms remain of utmost importance. They have gone a long way from the oiled silk paper used by the Chinese and the hard sheaths made of tortoise- shell used by the Japanese to the latex condoms of today. The breakthrough came when the rubber vulcanization process was invented by Charles Goodyear and eventually the first rubber condom was made. The condom offers maximum protection( more than 90%) against HIV, Hepatitis B virus and N.Gonorrhoea. They also offer protection in scenarios when alternate sexual practices are adapted. The female condom in the only female driven contraceptive method available today. Graphene and Nano lubricated condoms are new in the market and others in futuristic approach may include wearable technology/Technology driven condom and invisible Condoms. Both Correct and Consistent use of condoms needs to be promoted for HIV/STI prevention.

A profile of human immunodeficiency virus seroconcordant/serodiscordant couples.

INTRODUCTION: Heterosexual route is the most common mode of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission among married couples in India. The aim of the study was to determine HIV seroconcordance and serodiscordance among couples when one of the partners is HIV positive. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study which included HIV positive married cohabiting cases was carried out at the Department of Skin-VD, Medical College, Baroda. Detailed history of high-risk sexual behavior, blood transfusion (BT) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) was taken. All the cases were examined for the presence of STIs and all males were examined for circumcision. The spouses of these cases were tested for HIV to know the seroconcordance/serodiscordance. RESULTS: A total of 66 HIV positive cases were studied which included 34 males and 32 females. Forty-five cases had seropositive spouses that consisted of 20 out of 34 HIV positive males and 25 out of 32 HIV positive females. History of STI was present in 13 cases. History of BT in one of the spouses was present in 15 of 45 seroconcordant couples while in 6 out of 21 serodiscordant couples. Among 34 HIV positive males, circumcision was present in 8 cases out of which 6 were serodiscordant. DISCUSSION: About 68% concordance suggests continued intramarital transmission probably due to lack of spousal communication and late testing. In cases having transfusion transmitted HIV, seroconcordance rate was found to be high. Such cases are usually asymptomatic and hence tested late but continue to transmit HIV by unprotected sexual activity.

Human immunodeficiency virus in a tribal family: Issues and challenges.

A 35-year-old married tribal female presented with well-defined crusted ulcers with purulent exudates on the right side of the face involving both lips and right forearm since last 6 months. On investigation, she turned out to be human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive with CD4 count of 7 cell/mm(3) and also having probable abdominal tuberculosis (TB) as suggested by ultrasonography abdomen. Her husband and son were also found to be HIV positive. Her skin lesions were suggestive of cutaneous TB. She was started on antituberculosis treatment (ATT), antiretroviral treatment (ART), and injectable antibiotics. As her skin lesions failed to respond after 1 month, herpes simplex virus infection was suspected as a cause of ulceration, and she was given oral acyclovir therapy to which she responded well and later she was discharged. She stopped both ART and ATT and came with recurrence of skin lesions after 1½ month. Her husband left her for another woman. The purpose of reporting this case is to discuss the issues related to HIV infection affecting all the members of a tribal family.