Each young man at a certain moment in his life faces a summons for military service. At the same time, the future soldier has many questions, one of which is whether they will be taken into the army with HIV? Is it possible to undergo military service in the presence of such a serious chronic illness?
What is HIV?
This infection is a viral disease of the human immune system, in which its resistance weakens, and it becomes more susceptible to various pathogens and tumors.
The disease occurs when a human immunodeficiency virus enters the body. HIV can only live in an organic environment. He does not know how to develop independently, for this he needs a viable cell in which genetic information can be stored. Subsequently, it becomes a kind of "factory" for the production of viruses.
Disease detection
For a long time, a person may not notice that he is infected. In doing so, he will feel healthy for many years. However, when the number of cells of the immune system decreases to a critical level, a person pays attention to the fact that he is sick more often than usual, after which he goes to an appointment with a specialist and receives a disappointing diagnosis. You can also learn about the disease by accident, for example, when undergoing a medical examination before admission to the army.
The penetration of the virus into the body
Before answering the question whether they are enlisted in the army with HIV, we will consider the main factors of infection. Everyone should know this information. How is HIV transmitted and how does it enter the body?
Fortunately, HIV is not airborne. Penetration into the body occurs through contact with biological fluids: blood, breast milk, sperm, vaginal secretions. The virus is not transmitted through saliva, urine and sweat.
You can get HIV in the following ways:
- With a blood transfusion from a person who is a carrier. Each donor must be tested for HIV before being tested. Unfortunately, in most cases, donor blood testing is not included in medical services. This is not safe for a potential recipient. HIV-infected people cannot be donors.
- When using non-sterile equipment for piercing and tattooing.
- With unprotected intercourse. This is the main cause of infection; it accounts for more than 70% of cases.
- When using shaving accessories and toothbrushes of strangers.
- When the virus is transmitted from an infected mother to the fetus (during pregnancy) or to a newborn baby (during and after childbirth).
- In the second use of a syringe previously used by an infected person.
The last and most severe stage of HIV is AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). The opinion of most people that any HIV-positive person has AIDS is a fallacy. HIV-infected people have the opportunity to live long lives through timely treatment. This disease can be infected by accident, because no one is immune from fatal contact with the carrier. But AIDS occurs only when a person does not monitor his health, does not undergo treatment, bringing the body to a critical state.
Are they enlisted in the army with HIV?
When recruiting for military service, a conscript must pass a commission to determine his physical and psychological state. A physical examination is carried out directly at the place of appeal. After passing the commission in the personal file of the conscript, information is indicated on whether he is fit for service or has a disease incompatible with it.
During the medical examination, young people take tests, among which tests for the presence of HIV are mandatory. During the medical commission in the army, they cannot refuse to surrender. The list of mandatory analyzes is indicated in the relevant documents. Are they enlisted in the army with HIV? Definitely not!
After the detection of this disease, unconditional deregistration occurs, regardless of the stage of the disease. The youth is assigned category D. He is exempted from service, while receiving a military ID, which displays the reason for the commission. If a conscript is categorized as D, this means that he will not be called up even during the war. This disease is a one hundred percent health restriction for military service.
Why aren’t carriers of the virus called?
There are several reasons why a potential soldier becomes unfit for service:
- The need to protect others from infection. The military commissariat has no right to admit an infected youth to the service. Since soldiers often use common hygiene products (razors, washcloths), it is likely that the virus will spread. The risk of contracting this way is minimal, but putting the health of the military in danger is unreasonable.
- Protection of the patient himself. As HIV develops, the body weakens, and even the most common cold can be dangerous.
After detection of an ailment, the infected person is immediately added to the dispensary list, since each infected person must be specially registered.
Can the diagnosis be kept secret?
Many people are interested in the question of whether it is possible to hide their disease and get into the ranks of soldiers. The only way is to avoid being tested for the presence or absence of the virus. It is almost impossible to do this, because this diagnostic measure is mandatory.
Thanks to the equipment of modern medicine and new technologies, it is possible to determine the presence of HIV infection as accurately as possible. If the result of the analysis is positive, the commission doctors prescribe a series of additional checks to eliminate doubts.
If the conscript is informed of his diagnosis, he should not try to hide this fact. In any case, the presence of the disease is confirmed.
Young people who know about their diagnosis need not only to provide a certificate from the SC, but also be sure to report the ailment to the therapist conducting the examination.
Interesting information: HIV is more common in men than in women.
Treatment and control
To date, a cure for this deadly disease has not been developed, but this is not a reason to lose heart. In case of illness, you can keep HIV under control by systematically visiting a specialist and conducting the necessary therapy. Only in this case there is a chance to lead a full life, like an ordinary person, and even have a healthy child.
Therapy involves taking certain drugs. Many of them are vital for those infected. For example, antiretroviral drugs. These are medicines used to fight HIV infection. They make it possible to maintain health in a stable state for a long period.
Best drug
The combination of several ARPs, often referred to as a “drug shake,” is softer and more effective. Unfortunately, this medicine is expensive and not yet available in many countries around the world. However, cheaper analogs also perfectly cope with their main task, which is to maintain vitality and overall satisfactory condition of the patient's body.
If an infected person refuses to take antiretroviral drugs, HIV becomes AIDS. It is hard to say how fast the virus will destroy the body. It all depends on the stage of detection of the disease, the individual characteristics of the infected person and the correct prescription of medications.
Also, in addition to taking medications, it is very important to maintain your health, for example: maintain a balanced diet, relax if necessary and prevent stressful situations.