WHAT DOES "AIDS" MEAN?

• Acquired means you can get infected with it;
• Immune Deficiency means a weakness in the body's system that fights diseases.
• Syndrome means a group of health problems that make up a disease.

AIDS is caused by a virus called HIV, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. If you get infected with HIV, your body will try to fight the infection. It will make "antibodies," special molecules to fight HIV.

A blood test for HIV looks for these antibodies. If you have them in your blood, it means that you have HIV infection. People who have the HIV antibodies are called "HIV-Positive." Fact Sheet 102has more information on HIV testing.

The formal term for painkillers is analgesics, a word derived from the Greek words an (without) and algia (pain). The three most commonly used types of pain medicine today are the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), the paracetamol based drugs and the opioid drugs.

The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) group contains a wide range of different painkillers. Examples of commonly known NSAID painkillers are Aspirin, Diclofenac and Ibuprofen. NSAID pain killers do not only alleviate pain; they will also lower fever and decrease inflammations. They are called non-steroidal in order to discern them from the steroids, since the steroids are also used for their anti-inflammatory capacity. Aspirin was discovered in 1829 when salicylic acid was chemically isolated for the first time, but willow bark containing salicylic acid has been used as a pain killer long before the 19th century. A lot of NSAIDs are available over-the-counter but this does not mean that they are harmless. When misused, even comparatively weak NSAIDs can have severe side effects, including bleeding ulcers and photosensitivity. NSAIDs are generally not recommended during pregnancy.

Paracetamol is also known as acetaminophen. Both words are derived from the chemical name for this painkilling compound: N-acetyl-para-aminophenol and para-acetyl-amino-phenol. Two examples of commonly known brand names under which Paracetamol is marketed are Tylenol and Panadol. Painkillers containing Paracetamol will relieve pain and decrease a fever, but unlike the NSAID painkillers they have no anti-inflammatory properties. One of the advantages of Paracetamol compared to NSAIDs is that Paracetamol painkillers will not affect the blood's ability to clot. Nor will they damage the kidney or lining of the stomach as long as you stay within the recommended limits and never use too much Paracetamol. High doses of Paracetamol will however be damaging to a wide range of bodily functions. Paracetamol should never be combined with alcohol since the liver will be overloaded with the burden of breaking down both alcohol and Paracetamol, which makes the risk of Paracetamol poisoning higher. If you are healthy, well-nourished and do not drink alcohol, a single 10 gram dose of Paracetamol can cause significant liver damage.

Opioid drugs are very potent painkillers but will come with a sever side effects, even in low concentrations. Morphine is one of the most commonly used opioids in pain killing drugs. An example of a morphine based painkiller is Tramal. Pethidine is another pain killing opiate and can be found in medications such as Alodan and Demerol. Morphine will act directly on the central nervous system and can relieve even sever pains, such as post surgery pains and cancer pains. Morphine is addictive and it is important that it is used with caution. The addiction can be physical as well as physiological. The side effects are also both physical and psychological. Among the physical side effects are constipation and an inhibition of the cough reflex. Psychological side effects include euphoria as well as nightmares, and drowsiness can come hand in hand with insomnia. Morphine was isolated from opium in 1803 by Friedrich Serturner, a German pharmacist. He named it morphium after the Greek god of dreams, Morpheus. Serturner soon discovered its usefulness as a painkiller, but morphine didn't grow really popular until the hypodermic needle was invented in 1853.

Okay, so maybe you weren't thinking. I mean, you are 17...for all intents and purposes (except maybe voting), an adult. You should have known better than to try to climb to your bedroom window by shinnying up the drainpipe. But you didn't, and now you're lying on the ground with intense pain radiating from your left leg, a.k.a. your landing site. "I'll bet anything it's broken," you think with a small inner grin, remembering that lucky kid whose crutches and gym pass were the envy of all. A sharp pain quickly dissolves those bittersweet memories, as you remember that there is no such thing as a gym pass in summer and right now you have, no doubt, a couple of painful hours to go before you will be the envy of anyone. Wincing in a unique combination of embarrasment and outright pain, you bite the bullet: "Mommy!" Better hope Mommy's read up...

What did I do?

Your body consists of over 200 bones of all different shapes and sizes. All of these bones in addition to muscles and the tendons and ligaments that put them together form the skeleton, which serves to protect many of the organs your body uses to function normally. Bones are dense and very strong, and they tend not to break easily, except in elderly people who have developed osteoperosis, a gradual weakening of the bones. Bone injuries are often quite painfull, and they may bleed, as all bones have an ample amount of blood and nerves. The two types of bone injuries are fractures, which may be open or closed, and dislocations, which involve muscles and joints as well. The body has over 600 muscles, which are soft tissue. Injuries to the brain, the spinal cord or nerves can affect a person's muscle control, and when a muscle is injured, a nearby muscle may take over for the injured one. A joint is formed where the ends of two or more bones come together in one place. The bones are held together by ligaments, which tear when a joint is forced beyond its normal range of movement. A sprain is the tearing of ligaments at a joint. A strain is a stretching and/or tearing of muscles or tendons.

An open fracture occurs when an arm or a leg twists in such a way that the broken bone ends tear through the skin, causing an open wound. In a closed fracture the skin is not broken; this type of fracture is much more common than an open fracture. An open fracture brings with it a chance of infection and also severe bleeding. Fractures can be life-threatening if they sever an artery, affect breathing, or occur in very large bones such as the femur in the thigh. A motor vehicle accident or any fall from a height may cause a fracture.

A dislocation is typically more noticeable than a fracture. A dislocation occurs when a bone moves away from its normal position at a joint. A violent force tears the ligaments that hold the bone in place at a joint, and the joint will no longer function. Usually, the displaced bone causes an obviously abnormal bump, ridge or hollow.

Sprains may swell but typically heal quickly. Pain may be minimal and the victim may be active soon, in which case the joint won't heal properly and will remain weak. It is likely to be reinjured more severely, possibly involving a fracture or dislocation of the bones at the joint. The most easily injured joints are at the ankle, knee, wrist and fingers.

Strains are frequently caused by lifting a very heavy object or working a muscle too hard. They usually involve muscles in the neck, back, thigh or back of the lower leg. Strains tend to reoccur, especially those located in the neck or back.

An x ray is the best way to assess the extent of damage to a bone, muscle or joint. However, you may be able to judge how serious the injury is by its appearance. The area may be red, bruised, swollen, twisted, or have bumps, ridges or hollows. The area may be painful to touch as well as to move, or the victim may be unable to move it. If you compare an injured body part with an uninjured one, you may be able to locate any abnormalities; this works well with an arm, a leg, a shoulder, a knee...you get the idea. Sometimes the victim may have heard a snap, crackle or a pop when the injury occurred, or he or she may feel bones grating. Also, the victim's hands and fingers or feet and toes may tingle or feel numb. (Hey, you oxymorons...how can something feel numb?)

What do I do?

It does not matter whether the injury was to a bone, muscle or joint-you don't need to know specifically what the injury is in order to care for it! The formual for proper care is rest, ice and elevation. Make the victim as comfortable as possible, and apply ice to reduce pain and swelling. Minimize movement of the injured part by supporting it with something like a pillow.

Do not try to move a patient with a severely broken bone unless it is absoluely necessary. Calling EMS is the best couse of action in this case. However, if you must move the patient you must immobilize the injured body part. One way is to splint it, but do this only if it can be done without hurting the victim, and always attempt to splint the part in the position you found it. Splint the injured area and the joints above and below the injured area. You may use another body part, like an injured leg to an uninjured one, or an injured arm to a chest; this is called an anatomic splint. Make a soft splint from folded blankets or towels, or use a triangular bandage to make a sling, another type of soft splint, which is used to support an injured arm, wrist or hand. Use folded magazines and newspapers, cardboard or metal strips to support the injured body part with a rigid splint. Use several folded triangular bandages to secure the injured body part to the splinting material, tying them securely but not too tightly.Apply ice and raise the injured part, and prevent the victim from getting chilled or overheated. Remember to be reassuring!

Caring for a Minor Open Wound

After a long day of being cooped up in a stuffy classroom listening to your teachers ramble on about the rise of the Communist party and the conjugations of the verb "estar," you decide that you're in the mood for a quick game of roller hockey with some equally stir-crazy friends. As you swoop in to fire a slap shot at the goal, the unthinkable happens: you hit a rock. And not just a pebble; this is a big, trip-you-up rock that you didn't see because your eyes were locked on that ball. So, before you know it, you've slid about five feet on your poor, unprotected knees. Your first thought is, "Did I make the shot?" Your second thought comes quickly with the hot sting as you look down and see the red streaks of blood appear where your skin once was. "OW!!!" What do you do?

• Stop the bleeding by applying pressure with a clean, absorbant cloth, or if cloth is unavailalble, your fingers.
• If the blood soaks through, apply a second bandage on top. Do not take off the first bandage because it will disturb the clotting that has already taken place.
• If bleeding still doesn't stop, raise the wound above heart level.
• Once bleeding stops, clean the wound gently with soap and water, or just water. It is very important to get all debris or dirt out.
• Apply an antibiotic ointment such as bacitration or a triple antibiotic ointment. Remember, some people are allergic to these ointments, so contact your doctor if you have any doubts.
• Wrap the wound firmly in a cloth or a bandage. Do not cut off circulation!

Caring for a Major Open Wound

That Sunday remains the most vivid day in Cynthia's memory. She was cutting the bagels that John brought home, as she did every Sunday, when the knife slipped....The wash of bright, red blood was sudden and frightening. Thankfully, she and John knew exactly what to do.

• Covering the wound with a clean dressing, press against it firmly with your hand.
• Elevate the wound above the level of the heart.
• The clean dressing should then be covered over with a roll bandage (like an Ace) to hold the dressings in place.
• If bleeding still does not stop, add additional dressings over the roll bandage.
• Squeeze a pressure point, the artery against the bone. This is in the bottom upper arm, or where the leg bends at the hip.
• Once the bandages and pressure point are being maintained, have someone call EMS if they have not already.

Special Problems

When part of the body has been torn off...

• Try to find the part
• Wrap it in a clean dressing and place in a plasctic bag.
• Put the bag on ice, but don't freeze.
• Take the part to the hospital.

When an object is impaled in a wound...

• Do not remove it. You could reveal an open artery which would then be awfully hard to deal with, a.k.a. nearly impossible.
• Bandage many dressings around the object to immobilize it and support it in its position in the wound.

Splinters...

• A small splinter in the skin should be removed with tweezers.
• For a splinter in the eye, seek emergency help immediately, do not touch it.

Nosebleeds...

• Have the victim sit with his or her head tilted a little bit foward while pinching his or her nostrils together.
• One could also place an ice pack on the bridge of the nose.

Injury to the mouth...

• If the injury does not involve the head, neck, or spine, have the victim sit with the head slightly tilted foward. If the victim is unable to reach this position, place the victim on his or her side. This ensures that blood drains from the mouth.
• If the injury has broken the lip, place a clean rolled dressing between the lip and gum. Applying cold can also help.

If a tooth is knocked out...

• Place a small roll of sterile gauze in the gap left by the tooth that was knocked out.
• Pick up the tooth not by the root, but by the crown, the part you see when you smile in the mirror. If you can, place the tooth back how it belongs in the socket.
• If you can't put the tooth back in, put the tooth in a container with cool, fresh milk. If this cannot be done, use water.