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Well i was just offered a chance of a lifetime. Well our school just raised around 18,000 dollars for an AIDS foundation. Well the principle got to choose 3 students to go to africa and go to a school there and give them food and stuff like that. Well since i participated alot in the fundraiser they recomended me to go. If i get promission from my parents and my dad can come with me i can go. I want to go becuase it is a once in a lifetime chance but i also dont want to go becuase i dont want to get malaria or AIDS. please help.

2007-12-11 07:53:15 · 39 answers · asked by Hey_its_Leah 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting Adolescent

Ok cuz i thought you could get it form just going there and yeah i know not to have sex with anyone.

2007-12-11 07:59:27 · update #1

So should i get the pills and the shots just to be safe??

2007-12-11 08:04:49 · update #2

39 answers

Wow, that's amazing! Congrats! This IS a chance of a lifetime.

Now saying that, that means it's only available to you ONCE. You either take it or lose it.

Malaria? AIDS? For crying out loud, girl. You get offered a chance of a lifetime and you're worried about getting sick? Think about those people who actually live there. I'd go to help anyone in a heartbeat even if it's to the North Pole or a hole with flesh-eating worms. :P

Sorry if I was a little harsh. But, I can offer suggestions. You can easily get a malaria shot, as I recall. If you're afraid of needles, don't worry. I'm terrified, yet I'd still go feel a little pain if I can fly across the world and help those in need. Bring lots of mosquito repellent, and that's all there is. Wear some light jeans, so you have a lesser chance of getting bit by a mosquito.

AIDS is no worry at all. You can only basically get it from having sex or getting blood from another's into a wound of your's. Cover up any cuts with band-aids, and don't share needles. :P

Think about what it'll be like afterwards. That totally awesome feeling you get when you help someone THIS much. And just think of that regret if you decide not to go. Make sense? Malaria can be treated. Pull up a page on malaria symptoms, like this one.
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/malaria/page3_em.htm#Malaria%20Symptoms

I say GO. Don't be afraid and enjoy your time in Africa. Always keep a smile on your face. Good luck! :-)

2007-12-11 08:04:55 · answer #1 · answered by Sonatina Gena 4 · 0 0

I have a lot of friends who have either done something like what you describe and/or are missionaries.

You would be immunized for malaria before leaving the US. You would not be taking in any food or drink that would be contaminated by disease (like the rivers that provide both bathing water for humans and animals AND drinking water).

There is a serious AIDS epidemic in Africa, but that is largely due to the fact that they don't have the education we've been exposed to early on (state-funded elementary schools are teaching about AIDS here), and their healthcare system is inferior. Here, we are aware of the danger, take preventative measures (condoms; not having sex, not getting pregnant and having AIDS babies when you know you have it) and have earlier diagnoses and some measure of treatment (though not a cure).

However, the disease itself is the same. You aren't at risk here if you take certain measures, and the same holds true there. So just like here, you won't get AIDS simply by being around people who do have it, even if you are close to someone who has it.

Now, I do know a girl who was the daughter of a missionary, and contracted AIDS when she was nine-years-old and had to have emergency surgery, but that was twenty some-odd years ago, and from what I understand, they would take measures to make sure that doesn't happen to foreigners again.

I'm not going to say you should or should not go. But I do think you know already that this is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity, so I would hate for you to decide not to go based on a fear of something that is not likely a danger.

If you decide you want to go, I would talk to your parents about it, ask questions of the people who would be in charge, and make your decision based on that. It would be a great opportunity for you to really see the good you've begun with your work in the fundraiser. It's one thing to raise money and send it off, but you will get the chance to really SEE the good you've done.

2007-12-11 08:33:45 · answer #2 · answered by CrazyChick 7 · 0 0

I think you should have been taught alot more about how aids can be caught if you've raised so much money (for a very good cause and well done by the way!). You can catch it through direct contact with fresh blood from a person with aids or through having sex with an infected member, so as long as your carefull regarding this you should be fine. I've been to West Africa myself and it really opens your eyes to what life is like in the real world, some of the things I saw will be with me forever and you should not pass on this oppertunity. You can get tablets to take before during and after your stay for the Malaria. Yes it's a risk, but one which is certainly worth taking! Again well done on your hard work! And go and enjoy the experience!!!

2007-12-11 08:01:45 · answer #3 · answered by froggy19 2 · 1 0

Go to your family doctor or telephone the nearest Center for Disease Control (CDC) and find out what inoculations you need.
There are treatments against malaria which you can (and must) begin before you leave (and continue after your return). Sleeping under a treated mosquito net there is also an excellent preventive measure.
You don't say where you're going in Africa (in some parts you also need a yellow fever shot).
Since you were one of the major fund raisers for an AIDS foundation, you probably know how HIV/AIDS can be transmitted (shared needles, tainted blood transfusions, sexual contact). I can't imagine that you're planning to do anything there that would put you at risk! (If you're worried about being in a situation where you might need blood, I have heard of people taking their own "extra" blood with them!)
It IS a chance of a lifetime and it would be a real shame to pass it up!
Congratulations on being chosen!

2007-12-11 08:07:18 · answer #4 · answered by pat z 7 · 0 0

so basically you've raised all this money and have no idea how HIV is even transmitted? i'm sorry to be mean, it's great that you've raised money for this very worthy cause but maybe you should try to educate yourself a little on AIDS and the people it affects before you even consider going to Africa to help. if i were you i would absolutely go...that is definitely a once in a life time opportunity to help out people who are so often ignored.
you will not get HIV/AIDS unless you have sex, share a needle, etc with someone while you're there, which i'm quite sure you have no intention of doing. as far as malaria or any other diseases and infections you could get, you will have to see your doctor here before you go and get some vaccinations and they will be able to educate you on what you can do to avoid getting sick.
good luck! and like i said try to educate yourself some on what AIDS is all about. you absolutely can protect yourself from getting it if you do go, and you should also learn about AIDS in this country and how to protect yourself and help out here.

2007-12-11 08:06:44 · answer #5 · answered by Amy 4 · 0 0

Before you leave for Africa {if you choose to go} you get shots that keep you from getting Malaria. As for AIDS, you can't contract them from spit, hand shaking or really anything but sex. You won't get AIDS in Africa, don't worry. My friends goes there every summer for a month or so and she never gets any of the diseases.

Don't worry, if you get the REQUIRED shots you are highly unlikely to contract these diseases.

This is a chance of a life time to meat new people, and a whole different culture and way of living. I suggest you go.

If you go, have fun! =]

2007-12-11 07:58:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

That sounds very exciting. I suggest you go to the doctor if you decide to go. They will give you a routine checkup and make sure you are healthy enough to go. They can prescribe some pills that will prevent you from catching malaria as well as other medicine to prevent diseases. That is what I had to do when I went to Costa Rica. When you arrive in Africa, make sure you don't touch bodily fluids of other people. Buy lots of hand sanitizer and wash frequently! Don't have sex or do drugs. You can ask your doctor to find out if you should drink the water of eat the fresh food over there. Good Luck! I hope you are able to go as it sounds like a great opportunity!

2007-12-11 09:10:34 · answer #7 · answered by JuteJute 2 · 0 0

Okay look AIDS can not i repeat transmitted by catchin a plane to Africa. And it is now Mandated that you have vaccines before you leave the country and when you come back to the states.....there are people who would kill to have that position just to go and do something than sit on their buttocks and say i shoulda coulda woulda went to Africa. Then I would write a note to your parent saying exactly why you want to go to Africa and what you can get out of this lifetime chance.

2007-12-11 09:29:51 · answer #8 · answered by Leticia B 2 · 0 0

You'll need to take malaria medication before you go. This will give you immunity so you won't have to worry about that.

As for AIDS, I would think that since this is a fundraiser for the AIDS foundation, you would know how it is transmitted and you shouldn't have to worry about exposure through social contact.

2007-12-11 07:57:43 · answer #9 · answered by Mark B 5 · 1 0

You should study up about Aids and malaria - your chances of getting them are very slim! You will probably have to have malaria shots anyway and only if you share body fluids with an Hiv positive person will you get aids. Go and take this awesome chance!!!!!

2007-12-11 07:58:31 · answer #10 · answered by KYGrace 6 · 0 0

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