Five ways to quit smoking

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Deciding that you are now ready to quit smoking is only half the battle. Knowing where to start on your path to becoming smoke-free can help you to take the leap. We have put together some effective ways for you to stop smoking today.

Tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke are responsible for more than 480,000 deaths each year in the United States, according to the American Lung Association.

Most people are aware of the numerous health risks that arise from cigarette smoking and yet, "tobacco use continues to be the leading cause of preventable death and disease" in the U.S.

Quitting smoking is not a single event that happens on one day; it is a journey. By quitting, you will improve your health and the quality and duration of your life, as well as the lives of those around you.

To quit smoking, you not only need to alter your behavior and cope with the withdrawal symptoms experienced from cutting out nicotine, but you also need to find other ways to manage your moods.

With the right game plan, you can break free from nicotine addiction and kick the habit for good. Here are five ways to tackle smoking cessation.

1. Prepare for quit day

Once you have decided to stop smoking, you are ready to set a quit date. Pick a day that is not too far in the future (so that you do not change your mind), but which gives you enough time to prepare.

Choose your quit date and prepare to stop smoking altogether on that day.

There are several ways to stop smoking, but ultimately, you need to decide whether you are going to:

• quit abruptly, or continue smoking right up until your quit date and then stop
• quit gradually, or reduce your cigarette intake slowly until your quit date and then stop

Research that compared abrupt quitting with reducing smoking found that neither produced superior quit rates over the other, so choose the method that best suits you.

Here are some tips recommended by the American Cancer Society to help you to prepare for your quit date:

• Tell friends, family, and co-workers about your quit date.
• Throw away all cigarettes and ashtrays.
• Decide whether you are going to go "cold turkey" or use nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or other medicines.
• If you plan to attend a stop-smoking group, sign up now.
• Stock up on oral substitutes, such as hard candy, sugarless gum, carrot sticks, coffee stirrers, straws, and toothpicks.
• Set up a support system, such as a family member that has successfully quit and is happy to help you.
• Ask friends and family who smoke to not smoke around you.
• If you have tried to quit before, think about what worked and what did not.

Daily activities - such as getting up in the morning, finishing a meal, and taking a coffee break - can often trigger your urge to smoke a cigarette. But breaking the association between the trigger and smoking is a good way to help you to fight the urge to smoke.

On your quit day:

• Do not smoke at all.
• Stay busy.
• Begin use of your NRT if you have chosen to use one.
• Attend a stop-smoking group or follow a self-help plan.
• Drink more water and juice.
• Drink less or no alcohol.
• Avoid individuals who are smoking.
• Avoid situations wherein you have a strong urge to smoke.

You will almost certainly feel the urge to smoke many times during your quit day, but it will pass. The following actions may help you to battle the urge to smoke:

• Delay until the craving passes. The urge to smoke often comes and goes within 3 to 5 minutes.
• Deep breathe. Breathe in slowly through your nose for a count of three and exhale through your mouth for a count of three. Visualize your lungs filling with fresh air.
• Drink water sip by sip to beat the craving.
• Do something else to distract yourself. Perhaps go for a walk.

Remembering the four Ds can often help you to move beyond your urge to light up.

2. Use NRTs

Going cold turkey, or quitting smoking without the help of NRT, medication, or therapy, is a popular way to give up smoking. However, only around 6 percent of these quit attempts are successful. It is easy to underestimate how powerful nicotine dependence really is.

NRTs can help you to fight the withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting smoking.

NRT can reduce the cravings and withdrawal symptoms you experience that may hinder your attempt to give up smoking. NRTs are designed to wean your body off cigarettes and supply you with a controlled dose of nicotine while sparing you from exposure to other chemicals found in tobacco.

The U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have approved five types of NRT:

• skin patches
• chewing gum
• lozenges
• nasal spray (prescription only)
• inhaler (prescription only)

If you have decided to go down the NRT route, discuss your dose with a healthcare professional before you quit smoking. Remember that while you will be more likely to quit smoking using NRT, the goal is to end your addiction to nicotine altogether, and not just to quit tobacco.

Contact your healthcare professional if you experience dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, fast or irregular heartbeat, mouth problems, or skin swelling while using these products.

3. Consider non-nicotine medications

The FDA have approved two non-nicotine-containing drugs to help smokers quit. These are bupropion (Zyban) and varenicline (Chantix).

Bupropion and varenicline are non-nicotine medications that may help to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you feel that you would like to try one of these to help you to stop smoking, as you will need a prescription.

Bupropion acts on chemicals in the brain that play a role in nicotine craving and reduces cravings and symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. Bupropion is taken in tablet form for 12 weeks, but if you have successfully quit smoking in that time, you can use it for a further 3 to 6 months to reduce the risk of smoking relapse.

Varenicline interferes with the nicotine receptors in the brain, which results in reducing the pleasure that you get from tobacco use, and decreases nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Varenicline is used for 12 weeks, but again, if you have successfully kicked the habit, then you can use the drug for another 12 weeks to reduce smoking relapse risk.

Risks involved with using these drugs include behavioral changes, depressed mood, aggression, hostility, and suicidal thoughts or actions.

4. Seek behavioral support

The emotional and physical dependence you have on smoking makes it challenging to stay away from nicotine after your quit day. To quit, you need to tackle this dependence. Trying counseling services, self-help materials, and support services can help you to get through this time. As your physical symptoms get better over time, so will your emotional ones.

Individual counseling or support groups can improve your chances of long-term smoking cessation.

Combining medication - such as NRT, bupropion, and varenicline - with behavioral support has been demonstrated to increase the chances of long-term smoking cessation by up to 25 percent.

Behavioral support can range from written information and advice to group therapy or individual counseling in person, by phone, or online. Self-help materials likely increase quit rates compared with no support at all, but overall, individual counseling is the most effective behavioral support method.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) provide help to anyone who wants to stop smoking through their support services:

• smoking helpline: 1-877-44U-QUIT (1-877-448-7848)
• local and state quitlines: 1- 800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)
• LiveHelp online chat
• Smokefree website
• SmokefreeTXT text messaging service
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Instagram

Support groups, such as Nicotine Anonymous (NicA), can prove useful too. NicA applies the 12-step process of Alcoholics Anonymous to tobacco addiction. You can find your nearest NicA group using their website or by calling 1-877-TRY-NICA (1-877-879-6422).

5. Try alternative therapies

Some people find alternative therapies useful to help them to quit smoking, but there is currently no strong evidence that any of these will improve your chances of becoming smoke-free, and, in some cases, these methods may actually cause the person to smoke more.

Some alternative methods to help you to stop smoking might include:

E-cigarettes have had some promising research results in helping with smoking cessation.

• filters
• smoking deterrents
• electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes)
• tobacco strips and sticks
• nicotine drinks, lollipops, straws, and lip balms
• hypnosis
• acupuncture
• magnet therapy
• cold laser therapy
• herbs and supplements
• yoga, mindfulness, and meditation

E-cigarettes

E-cigarettes are not supposed to be sold as a quit smoking aid, but many people who smoke view them as a method to give up the habit.

E-cigarettes are a hot research topic at the moment. Studies have found that e-cigarettes are less addictive than cigarettes, that the rise in e-cigarette use has been linked with a significant increase in smoking cessation, and that established smokers who use e-cigarettes daily are more likely to quit smoking than people who have not tried e-cigarettes.

The gains from using e-cigarettes may not be risk-free. Studies have suggested that e-cigarettes are potentially as harmful as tobacco cigarettes in causing DNA damage and are linked to an increase in arterial stiffness, blood pressure, and heart rate.

Quitting smoking requires planning and commitment - not luck. Decide on a personal plan to stop tobacco use and make a commitment to stick to it.

Weigh up all your options and decide whether you are going to join a quit-smoking class, call a quitline, go to a support meeting, seek online support or self-help guidance, or use NRTs or medications. A combination of two or more of these methods will improve your chances of becoming smoke-free.

In addition to trying out these steps, you could check out our selection of the best apps for quitting smoking.

Written by: Hannah Nichols

Inspiring life story of KFC's Colonel Sanders

Inspiring life story of KFC's Colonel Sanders

 Sanders was born in 1890 in Henryville, IN. When he was six years old, his father passed away leaving Sanders to cook and care for his siblings. In seventh grade, he dropped out of school and left home to go work as a farmhand. Already turning into a tough cookie.

At 16, he faked his age to enlist in the United States army. After being honorably discharged a year later, he got hired by the railway as a laborer. However, he got fired for fighting with a coworker. While he worked for the railway, he studied law--until he ruined his legal career by getting into another fight. Sanders was forced to move back in with his mom and get a job selling life insurance. And guess what? He got fired for insubordination. But this guy wouldn't give up.

In 1920, he founded a ferry boat company. Later, he tried cashing in his ferry boat business to create a lamp manufacturing company only to find out that another company already sold a better version of his lamp. Poor guy couldn't catch a break.

It wasn't until age 40 that he began selling chicken dishes in a service station. As he began to advertise his food, an argument with a competitor resulted in a deadly shootout. Four years later, he bought a motel which burned to the ground along with his restaurant. Yet this determined man rebuilt and ran a new motel until World War II forced him to close it down.

Following the war, he tried to franchise his restaurant. His recipe was rejected 1,009 times before anyone accepted it. Sander's "secret recipe" was coined "Kentucky Fried Chicken", and quickly became a hit. However, the booming restaurant was crippled when an interstate opened nearby so Sanders sold it and pursued his dream of spreading KFC franchises & hiring KFC workers all across the country.

After years of failures and misfortunes, Sanders finally hit it big. KFC expanded internationally and he sold the company for two million dollars ($15.3 million today). Even today, Sanders remains central in KFC's branding and his face still appears in their logo. His goatee, white suit and western string tie continue to symbolize delicious country fried chicken all over the world.

At age 90, Sanders passed away from pneumonia. At that time, there were around 6,000 KFC locations in 48 countries. By 2013, there were an estimated 18,000 KFC locations in 118 countries. WOW.

If you're overwhelmed by rejection or discouraged by setbacks, remember the story of Colonel Harland Sanders. Fired from multiple jobs, ruined his legal career, was set back by the Great Depression, fires and World War II, yet still created one of the largest fast food chains in the world. Sanders wouldn't let anything or anyone defeat him. We should all be more like Colonel Sanders (besides the fighting and getting fired part).

Sanwo-olu Honours Iyabo Elusakin Nigeria's Overall Best Teacher With A 3 Bedroom

Sanwo-olu Honours Iyabo Elusakin Nigeria's Overall Best Teacher With A 3 Bedroom -

A Lagos State teacher, Mrs Iyabo Elusakin, has been honoured by the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Mrs. Elusakin won the award of the Overall Best Teacher in Nigeria.

She was presented with a 3 bedroom apartment and an award of excellence on Monday, 14th October 2019 in Alausa, Ikeja by the Governor.

The Governor noted that teachers are the backbone of education hence the government will continue to invest in their capacity development.

The 50-year-old teacher from Oriwu Senior Model College, Ikorodu had earlier been presented with a Hyundai Sonata car as star prize in Abuja on the occasion of the World Teachers Day 2019.

Mr Adeeko Olakekan of Baptist Boys High School Abeakuta, Ogun State emerged as the 1st runner up.

The 2019 World Teacher’s Day was themed “Young Teachers: The Future of the Profession.”

Elusakin while receiving the award in Abuja said she has been in the teaching profession for 27 years, noting that the award will spur her into more hard work.

Another Lagos Administrator, Mr. Pius Bababo of Government Junior College, Ketu was also adjudged as the Best School Administrator and Best School in Nigeria and was rewarded by the Governor at the Lagos House, Alausa.

The presentation witnessed the presence of the President, Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented by the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, as well as the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu ably represented by the Minister of State for Education, Hon. Emeka Nwajiuba.

The NUT National President, Comrade Nasir Idris was also in attendance which saw Adebiyi Abiola Temitayo emerged the over-all winner of the best teacher award, private school category and was gifted a brand new Hyundai Accent.

Credits: https://www.onews.com.ng/2019/10/sanwo-olu-honoured-overall-best-teacher-in-nigeria-iyabo-elusakin-with-a-3-bedroom-apartment/
 

El-Rufai enrols son in public primary school

El-Rufai enrols son in public primary school

 

      

Gov. Nasir El-Rufa’i of Kaduna State and his wife, Ummi El-Rufa’i in Capital School, Malali, Kaduna, a public school, to enrol their six-year old Abubakar El-Rufa’i into a primary school.

In fulfillment of the promise he made in 2017, Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has enrolled his six year old son, Abubakar into primary one in Capital School Malali, a public school in Kaduna.

The governor on Monday was accompanied by his wife Aisha Ummi to the school where their son commenced his primary education.

El-Rufai while speaking as guest of Freedom Radio’s Hausa phone-in programme ”Barka da War haka” in 2017 had said he will revamp public schools in Kaduna state and promised to enrol his child in a public school when he turns six years.

“The move is part of reforms to revamp public schools in the state to make them more competitive,” he said.

“We are determined to fix public education and raise their standards so that private education will become only a luxury.”

“As we make progress, we will require our senior officials to enrol their children in public schools.

“And I will by personal example ensure that my son that will be six years of age in 2019 will be enrolled in a public school in Kaduna State, by God’s grace,” El-Rufa’i had said.

Briefing newsmen shortly after he enrolled the child, El-Rufa’i explained that it was a commitment that had been fulfilled.

“I made that commitment because I believe that it is only when all political leaders have their children in public schools that we will pay due attention to quality of public education.

“I went to a public school like this. In fact, the school I went to is not as good as this one, but here I am, because of the quality teaching I got.

“My intention is to ensure that all our public schools offer quality education, and so we are encouraging all our senior public servants to send their children to public schools.

“Once the public schools are improved to a point they are nearly as good or even better than private schools, no one will waste his money taking his child to private school,” he said.

On his part, the little child said: “I am sad that I will miss my old school, my friends and my teachers. But I have to help my father keep his promise.”

Ummi El-Rufa’i, the mother of the child said: “l am glad that we are able to send a strong message to our leaders and the elites, that we need to start making things work from within our homes.

“By the time we start attending public hospitals and send our children to public schools, the system will get better. This is a very huge step,” she said

8 Computer Skills For Every Teacher To Master

8 Computer Skills For Every Teacher To Master

8 Computer Skills For Every Teacher To Master

Computer Skills For Every Teacher To Master

Nowadays teachers have to make use of desktop PCs, laptop PCs, and even mobile devices like tablets while carrying out their core duties. Also, these professionals must be knowledgeable of computer related technologies. This, of course, includes the world wide web, email, desktop conferencing, video conferencing to name but a few among other skills for resume. As a skilled educator, you will have to aim for uncommon excellence and proficiency in this computer oriented era. Well here are some top 8 computer skills for every teacher to master that can be regarded as been mandatory.

1. Word Processing Skills

Word processors are certainly some of the most ancient applications all modern computers now feature. As a teacher, you will have to be skillful in utilizing the best word processors, which are currently available in the market. This will let you undertake and ultimately complete all your written communications with both your colleagues and students in a markedly time efficient manner. You will have to learn just how to check spelling, create tables, and even insert hyperlinks into your word documents. All in all, you will need to be in an excellent position of creating lengthy and well-formatted documents.

2. Spreadsheet Skills

An excellent mastery of spreadsheets applications is also among the top ones in 21st century skills list for educators. Such an invaluable software will let you conduct some of the most pertinent aspects of your teaching duties in a convenient and highly methodological way. Some of the most notable of these duties are compiling grades for your students and even masterfully charting any critical data you might wish to pass to them.

3. Database Management Skills

As a teacher, you will have to learn just how you can use databases. This includes been able to create database tables, storing, and retrieving data from those tables. While also knowing just how you can create the right queries for the information found in your institute’s databases.

4. Electronic Presentation Skills

Electronic presentation applications are, in essence, part and parcel of an educator’s various teaching duties. As such, you will have to find a way to master the art of creating electronic presentations for your classes. While more to the point, just how you can showcase them to your students and even colleagues and superiors.

5. Internet Navigation Skills

As you might probably be aware the world wide web is a great repository of all manner of information, which can definitely make your life as a teacher much more easier. Generally speaking, you will have to find a good way of been able to efficiently navigate the internet for the exact data or teaching resources you stand in need of. You will also have to be well conversant with the basics of advanced search, including the utilization of Boolean operators within your search engine queries.

6. Email Management Skills

Email is now the most preferred means of written communication for most of us, in both our professional and personal lives. As an educator, you will have to be highly skilled in sending and receiving email messages and the various applications you need to utilize. You will also be required to be conversant with the variety of features and functionalities that these computer applications boast of. This includes mass mailing, link insertions, and even the utilization of email attachments in your communications with both your colleagues and students.

7. Networking Skills

Teachers who wish to remain relevant in their given fields must also find the necessary time to fully grasp the basics of computer networking. If applicable, they should also try their level best to totally understand just how their institution’s computer network functions and exactly how it can be of benefit to them in their professional duties.

8. Touch Typing

Finally, touch typing is yet another essential computer skill, which all 21st century educators must take time to master. This particular skill lets you significantly improve typing speed as well as accuracy. This is brought about by simply relying on your motor reflexes as opposed to sight while typing. By mastering touch typing, you will find it infinitely easier to draft highly detailed and accurate texts in a quicker manner than you previously did. You will also learn how to integrate the right typing ‘best practices’ to prevent injuries and fatigue. This includes using the ideal typing posture and the right finger placement on your keyboard.

© 2011–2019 eLearning Industry.

My Name is Khan

Rizwan Khan (Tanay Chheda) is a Muslimchild who lived with his brother Zakir (Arnav Chhapwale) and his mother (Zarina Wahab) in a middle-class family in the Borivali section of Mumbai. Rizwan has Asperger's syndrome, but he has certain gifts, particularly a special ability to repair things. His difference leads to special tutoring from a reclusive scholar and extra attention from his mother, all which leads to a heightened level of jealousy from his brother, who eventually leaves his family for a life in the United States.

Despite this initial resentment, as an adult Zakir (Jimmy Shergill) requests Rizwan (Shah Rukh Khan) to come and live with him in San Francisco after the death of their mother. It is at this time that Zakir's wife, Haseena diagnoses Rizwan as having Asperger's syndrome. Rizwan begins to work as a product seller in Zakir's company and in the process he meets a Hindu woman, Mandira (Kajol) and her young son, Sameer, from a previous marriage. Despite Zakir's hostility to the match, they marry and settle down in the town of Banville, where both Mandira and Sameer take Rizwan's last name as their own. They also live next door to the Garrick family, consisting of Mark, who is a reporter, his wife Sarah and son Reese.

The couples perfect existence is disrupted after the September 11 attacks in New York City. Mark goes to cover the war in Afghanistan and dies there. At the same time, the Khan family begins to experience post 9-11 prejudice in their community and Reese begins to turn against Sameer as well. An argument between them turns into a racially motivated schoolyard fight between Sameer and a number of older students. Reese tries to stop the fight but is held back and Sameer gets punched and kicked multiple times by the group of older students. Sameer, angry, calls the leader of the gang an asshole, resulting in the leader kicking a soccer ball at Sameer's stomach, knocking him out. The gang threatens to hurt Reese if he tells anyone what happened. Sameer is then taken to the hospital, but dies due to internal bleeding and spleen rupture. Shattered, Mandira blames Rizwan for his death stating that Sameer "died only because his name was Khan", telling Rizwan that she no longer wants to be with him. When he asks her what he has to do in order for them to be together, she tells him sarcastically that he has to tell the people of the United States and the President that "my name is Khan and that I am not a terrorist".

Rizwan, being naive, thus sets out on a journey that takes him from one US state to another, in order to meet the president and get his wife's love back. During this quest, he travels to Wilhemina,a small town in Georgiaand befriends Mama Jenny and her son Joel. Later, in Los Angeles, he prays in a Mosque and overhears violent rhetoric from a Muslim doctor Faisal Rahman. He reports this to the FBI but there is no response at that moment. Later, while waiting in a crowd to meet President George W. Bush and repeating again and again, "My name is Khan and I am not a terrorist," Rizwan is arrested and placed in prison by police who misinterpret his statement as,"My name is Khan and I am a terrorist".

While in the prison, he is brutally interrogated as a terrorist suspect, but meets the psychiatrist, Radha, who believes he is innocent. He is later released after a media campaign by a group of Indian student reporters, who prove his innocence by unearthing his attempts to inform the FBI about Faisal Rahman. After his release, he returns to hurricane-hit Wilhemina to help Mama Jenny and her son. His efforts attract media attention and numerous Muslims come to help as well. At the same time, Reese confesses to Mandira and reveals the identity of the boys who killed Sameer. She informs Detective Garcia who has been assisting her in the case, and the boys are arrested.

After the killers are brought to justice, she joins Rizwan in Georgia. At the moment she arrives to meet him, Rizwan is stabbed by one of Faisal Rahman's followers, who accuses him of being a traitor to Islam. He is then rushed to the hospital. With Mandira's help, Rizwan survives and meets President-elect Barack Obama, who reveals that despite being President-elect himself, Rizwan has been stealing his spotlight and that he knows his name and the fact that he is not a terrorist

Like stars on earth

Ishaan Awasthi is an eight-year-old boy who dislikes school, as he finds all the subjects difficult and is frequently belittled and berated by both his teachers and his classmates. His imagination, creativity and talent for art are often disregarded or unnoticed. His father, Nandkishore Awasthi, is a successful executive who expects his children to excel, and his mother, Maya Awasthi, is a housewife frustrated by her inability to educate Ishaan. Ishaan's elder brother, Yoshi, is an exemplary student and athlete whose merits Ishaan is often reminded of.

After receiving a particularly poor academic report, Ishaan's parents send him to a boarding school. There he sinks into a state of fear, isolation and depression, despite being befriended by Rajan Damodharan, a physically disabled boy who is one of the top students in the class. He even contemplates suicide by climbing up the fence in a terrace, which Rajan manages to save him from.

Ishaan's condition changes when a new art teacher, Ram Shankar Nikumbh, a cheerful and optimistic instructor at the Tulips School for young children with developmental disabilities, joins the school. Nikumbh's teaching style is markedly different from that of his strict predecessor, and he quickly observes Ishaan's unhappiness and impassive participation in-class activities. He reviews Ishaan's work and concludes that his academic shortcomings are indicative of dyslexia, a condition suppressing his artistic capabilities. One day he sets off to Mumbai to visit Ishaan's parents where he is surprised to discover Ishaan's hidden interest in art after finding some of his drawings. Upset, he asks Mr Awasthi why he sent the child to a boarding school in the first place and shows Mrs Awasthi her son's notebooks giving an analysis of his struggles. He explains how Ishaan has severe difficulty in understanding letters and words due to dyslexia even though Mr Awasthi, labelling it as mental retardation, dismisses it as a mere excuse for laziness. Frustrated by his crude and inaccurate explanation of Ishaan's condition, Nikumbh leaves and Mr Awasthi feels guilty for his mistreatment towards Ishaan.

Nikumbh returns and subsequently brings up the topic of dyslexia in a class by offering a list of famous people who were dyslexic. Afterwards, he comforts Ishaan by telling him how he struggled as a child as well by facing similar problems. Nikumbh then visits the school's principal and obtains his permission to become Ishaan's tutor. With gradual care, he attempts to improve Ishaan's reading and writing by using remedial techniquesdeveloped by dyslexia specialists. Ishaan soon develops an interest in his studies and eventually his grades improve.

Towards the end of the school year, Nikumbh organises an art fair for the staff and students. The competition is judged by artist Lalita Lajmi. Ishaan, with his strikingly creative style, is declared the winner and Nikumbh, who paints Ishaan's portrait, is declared the runner-up. The principal announces that Nikumbh has been hired as the school's permanent art teacher. When Ishaan's parents meet his teachers on the last day of school they are left speechless by the transformation they see in him. Overcome with emotion, Mr. Awasthi thanks Nikumbh. As Ishaan gets into the car to leave with his parents for summer vacations, he turns around and runs toward Nikumbh, who gives him a hug and tells him to return next year.

11 Dead, 6,000 Hospitalized As Heatwave Persists In Japan

11 Dead, 6,000 Hospitalized As Heatwave Persists In Japan

Photo Credit: peervally.com

Eleven people were killed and nearly 6,000 people were hospitalized in Japan as the heatwave continues to persist.

The heatwave saw 5,664 people taken to hospitals, 1,199 of whom displayed severe symptoms requiring being admitted for at least three weeks of treatment, and 1,792 requiring shorter treatment for less serious symptoms.

The total number, however, has spiked from the almost 2,000 people hospitalized across Japan a week earlier due to the heat.

In the week to last Sunday, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency said that 52.6 percent of the total people sent to hospital were seniors aged 65 and older.

photo credit: socialnews.xyz

On Tuesday, temperatures continued to soar, with the agency and weather officials warning people to take preventative measures against heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses.

Across wide swathes of Japan from north to south, temperatures are forecast to remain upwards of 36 degrees Celsius through Wednesday, weather officials said.

By Agnes

REPORT

Exam Malpractice: Phones Worth Millions Of Naira Seized, Burnt By polytechnic, is it the best way too curb examination malpractice

Exam Malpractice: Phones Worth Millions Of Naira Seized, Burnt By polytechnic, is it the best way too curb examination malpractice ?

- The management of the Ibadan Polytechnic has ordered that mobile phones, worth millions of naira, which were confiscated from the students during examinations be set on fire

- The school decided to take such action to restate its commitment to fighting examination malpractices to the barest level

- The school’s rector pointed out that there are rules guiding the principles of examinations and one of it is that no student, under whatever guise, should come into the examination hall with cell phones

The management of the Ibadan Polytechnic, Ibadan has restated its commitment to enforcing discipline and curbing exam malpractices.

While addressing newsmen on Wednesday, July 10, the institution’s deputy rector, Bayo Oyeleke, said school authorities have resolved to make sure the polytechnic’s examinations are sacred, Tribune reports.

Legit.ng gathers that Oyeleke stated that to this end, school authorities have ordered that mobile phones, worth millions of naira, which were confiscated from the students during examinations be set on fire.

The devices were all burnt to ashes at the school’s premises on Wednesday.

Oyeleke said the school decided to take such action to restate its commitment to fighting examination malpractices to the barest level.

He said: “We are here to take further action on our resolve to ensure that the crop of students and products being produced by the school are students with exemplary character and are those who really work and worth the certificate of the institution.”

He disclosed that the school’s examinations are guided by rules and that any student who disobeys these rules will face the consequences.

He said: “There are rules guiding the principles of our examinations and one of it is that no student under whatever guise should come into the examination hall with cell phones but you know that some students are very recalcitrant.

“We have resolved to confiscate them because it has been expressly stated on their examination paper that any phone found on any students during examination shall be confiscated and in order not to allow any of the phones to filter out, the school has resolved that such phones shall be burnt.”

Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that as part of measures to beef up security over the cult attack at the Polytechnic Ibadan which led to its closure, the management of the institution had compelled the students, lecturers and other members of the working force to present their identity cards before they would be allowed to gain entrance into the institution.

To this end, a team of security operatives manned the institution's gate and compelled the students, lecturers and other members of working force in the citadel of learning to present their identity cards or other means of identification before they could gain entrance.

Who should be held responsible for exam malpractice? -

Corps Member, Who Washed Hair With Sniper, Dies 10 Days To Birthday

Corps Member, Who Washed Hair With Sniper, Dies 10 Days To Birthday

Ayomikun Ademorayo

Bola Bamigbola, Osogbo

A member of the National Youth Service Corps scheme serving in Osun State, Ayomikun Ademorayo, on Sunday died after she reportedly washed her hair with an insecticide, Sniper, to eliminate lice.

Some colleagues of the deceased told our correspondent that Ayomikun, an orphan, discovered lice in her hair while preparing for a new hairdo in preparation for her birthday on July 18.

They added that Ayomikun, a prominent member of the state NYSC volleyball team, applied the insecticide to her hair on Sunday afternoon and became unconscious few minutes later.

The deceased, who studied Human Kinetics at the Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, it was learnt, lost her mother in June this year, while her father died some years ago.

She was said to be the breadwinner of the family and had younger siblings in secondary schools.

An eyewitness, who lives in the same compound with the deceased, told PUNCH Metro that Ayomikun became unconscious shortly after applying the substance to her hair and was rushed to a private hospital in Osogbo.

She, however, reportedly died on the way to the hospital.

The source said, “Ayomikun loose her hair in order to make a new style for her birthday, which is in 10 days’ time. She was preparing for July 18. She had bought a new clothe and bag for the purpose. She discovered that lice had invested her hair.

“So, on Sunday afternoon, she just applied Sniper to her hair to eliminate the lice. Shortly after she did that, Ayomikun lost consciousness and was immediately rushed to a private hospital in Osogbo. But she died before she could get to the hospital.”

Reacting to the incident, the Public Relations Officer, NYSC in the state, Funmilayo Okundaye, said she had yet to get the details, but confirmed the death of the corps member.

Sources told correspondent that when officials of the NYSC in Osun State contacted the deceased’s next of kin, they were told to arrange the burial in Osogbo though her relations live in Lagos.

Speaking during a short funeral service for the deceased at the Christian Association of Nigeria Cemetery, Ede, on Monday, the Osun State Coordinator, NYSC, Ayodele Adegoke, who was represented by an official, described the deceased as cool-headed and had contributed to the advancement of her friends and community without recourse to race and tribe.

COZA | Is The Body Of Christ Under Attack?!

COZA | Is The Body Of Christ Under Attack?!

Many pastors and social media commentators have insisted that the rape allegations by Busola Dakolo is an attack on the body of Christ. Chief of those is Reno Omokri, former aide to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan and certified attack dog.

He insists that while he has no love for Biodun Fatoyinbo, the COZA pastor accused of rape, he does not believe the story.

He believes that this is an attack on the church.

This is the  new one; once a pastor is caught stealing money and you complain, boom! "You are attacking the body of Christ"

Pastor is serially accused of rape, gba! "You are attacking the body of Christ"

Pastor quotes his personal convictions as scripture, you disagree, bam! You are attacking the body of Christ.

We cannot call out error of any pastor because once you do that, the "body of Christ" which you people now treat like a piece of clothe will tear. It will scatter, it will melt because Nigerian Body of Christ is made of glass.

But apparently people think it is okay to attack another Christian all day, everyday. As long as he is not a pastor, those ones, perhaps the tissue of Christ.

First, Jesus said, ...I will build my church and the gate of hell shall not prevail."

Matthew 16:18

If anyone is attacking the body of Christ, The number one set of people would be people who nullify his word with false teachings.

Quoting African Traditional Religion instead of scriptures and modifying scriptures to suit selfish gains.

Mark 7: 8; 13

You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”

"Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”

Or a set of people focused strongly on denomination, or persons and not in Christ.

1Cor 3:4

For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not mere men? What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.

So when you wake up and say stuff like I am a Cozarite, a redeemed, I stand for this pastor or that one, you are the very one dividing the body of Christ.

When you are a "Daddy GO, God of Pastor Yen Yen" Christian. You are dividing the body of Christ.

And thirdly, pastors and teachers who do not model Christ.

For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.

1 Peter 2:21

In my opinion, having pastors who display extravagance and materialism and literally  bring the world into the church is a threat to the values of any religion. 

I have read about pastors, priests, christian artists outside Nigeria accused of various things. They have stepped down, some confessed, others denied.

Some other times, the church have found a way to cover them but never will you hear that that it is an attack on the body of Christ.

Paul emphasizes to the believers is Collose. 

"See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

Colossians 2:8‭, ‬10

I insist that the Rape allegation by Busola Dakolo is not an attack on the body of Christ. But one that must force both believers and others to examine the live of Biodun Fatoyinbo as a Nigerian Citizen.

And if it is an attack, Biodun should count it joy as Paul did.

While Christians are commanded to entreat matters involving two believers, Rape is a criminal offence against the State. Believers cannot instructively give judgment on that, we can only comment on it and ask the state to intervene.

And the body of Christ could even benefit from it.

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Comment your own opinion now.

By Etim

REPORT

5 Things That Consumes Most Nigerians Money (No 3. Can Wreck You)

5 Things That Consumes Most Nigerians Money (No 3. Can Wreck You)

It’s not your earnings that makes you rich but your spending habits.

When people complain about hardship and lack of money, they forget to look back at how they had spent the last money earned.

There are some little things people spend money on without knowing that accumulation of those little things will amount to large expenses thereby rendering one penniless.

Below are top 5 things that drains almost all Nigerians’ bank account

1. Mobile Phones

No doubt, mobile phones are important to our daily life but the struggle to use latest mobile phone gadget pose a major threat to financial life of many Nigerians.

Research had it that an average Nigerian change phone at least twice in a year. Some people go as far as using their life savings to buy latest phone just to level up.

Somebody using iPhone 8 wants to upgrade to iPhone X when another iPhone XI is already out. At the end of the day, these phones still serve almost the same function, with little adjustment.

2. Recharge Cards For Call & Browsing Data

Changing phones like clothes is not enough but recharging the phones for calls and browsing is another money draining things we spend too much money on.

In all indications, network providers are benefiting immensely from spending habit of Nigerians when it comes to recharging and data usage. On the average, Nigerians spend over ₦5,000 on data monthly.

We wish to spend less on Data but Instagram Videos, YouTube Videos, Whatsapp Statusand the rest won’t let us.

3. Fueling Generator & Car

It’s sad that Nigeria is a country where you will use over N10,000 fuel just to enjoy yourN2,000 GOTV subscription.

Poor power supply in Nigeria is draining the pockets of everyone and the fact that you will still have to pay PHCN bill again after spending much on fuel makes the country more frustrating.

For those that have car too, with ₦145 per liter fuel rates, it is less expensive to use Public transport than a Private car.

4. Alcohol and Cigar

Taking a look at records of Alcohol and cigarettes consumption  in Nigeria in past years, it is quite obvious that Nigerians spend more on alcohol consumption.
It's a big time custom to see folks going out and spend on alcohol, just imagine the amount of money spent on alcohol and cigarettes in a month and tell me of what medical benefits it is adding to your life.
As a matter of fact, guys are now balling with no budget.

5. Transportation

Only Lagosians will understand that transportation takes away a larger part of one’s income.

Many people work far away from home, so going to work everyday drains money.

Thank You All For Reading

Now The Question Is 👇

Which Of The Above Drains Your Income The Most?

What Other Things Do You Think Should Be Added To This List?

Drop your comment!

BIG LIE!! Nigerian Lady Claims She Found Her Missing Nokia 3310 After 12 Years & It Was Still ON 😲😲 »

BIG LIE!! Nigerian Lady Claims She Found Her Missing Nokia 3310 After 12 Years & It Was Still ON 😲😲 »

Some Nigerians can lie ehn 😂😂😂

A Nigerian guy on Twitter, @Eric_Tc24, has got online users talking after he narrated an unbelievable story of how his sister found her Nokia 3310 still switched on after 12 years.

In the said tweet, he claimed that his sister misplaced the Nokia 3310 phone back in 2006, but when she traveled for Christmas last year 2018, she found the phone in a corner in her room and the part that got everyone talking is, he claimed she met the phone still switched on after 12 years with one bar of battery left 😂😂

LOL, is that even possible?

Well, this has caused a serious debate and blasting on Twitter – Some are calling him the king of all Liars for the story – as many told him, it’s not possible.

Trust Nigerians na, dem no dey carry last at all – They are currently roasting the guy online now.

See some Tweets below:-

Now, over to you 👇

If You Can See This Guy Right Now, What Would You Say To Him?

We want to hear from you too.

Drop your comments

BREAKING: Andy Ruiz knocks out Anthony Joshua, takes three world titles

BREAKING: Andy Ruiz knocks out Anthony Joshua, takes three world titles

USA's Andy Ruiz (L) knocks down England's Anthony Joshua (R) in the 7th round to win by TKO during their 12-round IBF, WBA, WBO & IBO World Heavyweight Championship fight at Madison Square Garden in New York on June 1, 2019. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP)

Ruiz recorded a monster upset, knocking down Britain’s Joshua four times to take the World Boxing Association, International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Organization titles.

Ruiz came into the fight as a massive 20-1 underdog. But he won it in the middle of the seventh round when the referee stopped it at 1:26 of the round after the fourth knockdown.

Ruiz, sent to the canvas once himself, knocked Joshua down twice in the third round and twice more in the seventh.

Joshua had a massive height and reach advantage as he weighed in at a chiselled 255 pounds compared to the portly Ruiz, who beefed up to 268 pounds compared to 250 for his most recent fight.

England’s Anthony Joshua (L) kneels after being knocked down by USA’s Andy Ruiz (R) in the 7th round to win by TKO during their 12-round IBF, WBA, WBO & IBO World Heavyweight Championship fight at Madison Square Garden in New York on June 1, 2019. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP)

Ruiz, who has won four fights in a row, looked fearless and poised while Joshua — who had won all 22 of his previous bouts — never seemed to recover from the first knockdown early in the third.

5 Reasons Online Relationships Fail

5 Reasons Online Relationships Fail

It's normal human nature, to seek companionship, love, and closure wherever they can find it. Whilst some people go through more conventional ways of meeting people like; dating apps or face to face, there are others who find closure or fall in love with people they met online. 

Online relationships have actually come to stay. This is because let's face it, this is where you always are anyway.

Nevertheless, being in a virtual relationship doesn't excuse couples from having regular relationship problems. Matter of fact, these issues they face are similar to the reasons why conventional "face to face" relationships fail.

Out of the many reasons for failed virtual relationships, here are 5 reasons why online relationships fail;

Unrealistic Expectations

When you've not seen someone before, you tend to create an ideal image of what they should look like in your head. At that point, they are your dream girl/guy.

This can cause you to put unrealistic expectations on them. If you two finally meet and they don't live up to those expectations, it breeds disappointment and hurt feelings.

Not Enough Face Time

Being in a relationship goes beyond text messages, calls and face time. A huge part of it requires the couple sitting down together to have a heart to heart conversation.

Online relationships lack this factor and the couple might begin to get frustrated because there are things they need to discuss, which can't be done over the phone. And if you two can't meet regularly, then over time both of you might get tired of not seeing each other.

It Is Online

An online relationship is only existent when both of you are online. As soon as you both go offline, the rules of engagement change.

They can do whatever they want and can tell their partner what they please. Virtual relationships lack honesty and faithfulness because

you can't see each other and as such, don't know what you're up to.

Also, most online relationships are one-sided and simply born out of love addiction. Your partner simply got into it because they are just excited to have someone on the whole internet to talk to on a regular basis.

Lack Of Physical Satisfaction

As a human being that you are, there are times when you will just be craving physical contact.

And there is nothing more disappointing and heartbreaking than having a boyfriend or girlfriend you can't do those things with because they are inside your phone or laptop.

You can't hug your laptop or imagine forever and at some point, you have to go out and find the real thing because "Body no be firewood".

Illusion

Online life is mere smokes and mirrors. It is not real, everyone has a made up personality to hide who they truly are in real life.

You may fall in love with someone's personality online and idolize the man or woman you have been chatting with for a while now.

Only for you to meet them and they turn out to be the complete opposite of the person you met online. And if their real-life personality doesn't match the one online, this can be a huge turnoff.

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A Candid Appeal To JAMB Over Its Massive Feasting On Nigerian Students

A Candid Appeal To JAMB Over Its Massive Feasting On Nigerian Students

Almost a year since the tertiary institutions entrance examination body, JAMB, remitted a whopping 7.8 billion naira to the Federal Government as surplus from the conduct of its 2018 UTME, Nigerians’ curiosity have increased to the exospheric heights as they are now demanding to know whether the board was established to be a profit making institution or not.

As the anticipation for answers persists, the JAMB, again, remitted N5 billion to the federal government’s coffers as yet another surplus from the 2019 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted last April.

But, we understand that the 1978 decree – amended in 1989 – that established JAMB does not in any way charge the agency with the responsibility of generating revenue for the federal government.

Its core responsibility, according to the founding decree, is preeminently to conduct Matriculation Examination for entry into all tertiary institutions and to “carry out other activities as are necessary or expedient for the full discharge…” of this responsibility, Section 5 (e) of the decree expressly states.

However, today, it is self-evident that the board has found means to accrue money well beyond the threshold of what is necessary and appropriate for a public institution whose primary goal is not revenue generation, but facilitation of educational pursuit of young Nigerians.

Realizing the humongous revenue made by the body in 2018, the federal government was compelled to reduce the cost of JAMB form from N5000 to 3, N500, but the reduction did not exactly dissuade JAMB’s profit ambition, hence the N6.3 billion realized from mere sales of forms in 2019. This excludes money realized from sales of change of course or institution and direct entry forms.

It should be made perfectly clear, without any word mincing, that the rot in JAMB as a public institution, is beyond human imagining. Nonetheless, the federal government has decidedly looked away especially now that its new boss, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede is proving to be productive judging by the board’s latest remittances.

In just two rounds of examination, 2018 and 2019 to be specific, Oloyede has raked approximately N15 billion in revenue compared to the paltry N50.7 million remitted by the agency between 2010 and 2016. The N51m is arguably all JAMB has made in over 40 years of its existence.

Now, the shocking diametric increase in revenue in less than 3 years that Oloyede took charge of JAMB didn’t seem to prompt an inquisition and audit into the account of the body by the Buhari-led administration with its flagship anti-corruption campaign.

But, every year, Nigerian students seeking admission are subjected to a vicious cycle of financial encumbrances and exploited by the same government or say its agency (JAMB) whose main goal should be to safeguard their interests and see that their educational dreams are attained with limited hassles.

Presently, NECO form is purchased at N9, 850 against previous N11, 350. Having scaled through, they are confronted with JAMB which squeezes N3, 500 or more out of them, then tertiary institutions for Post-UTME fees— that range from N2000 to N3000 and more. It is common knowledge that these serial exploitations do not guarantee admission.

As it stands, of over 1.8 million of them who took the 2019 UTME, only about 600, 000 or less will be admitted based on the annual admission capacity of about 273 tertiary institutions in the country today; Many candidates will have to retake and go through the same cycle next year as some of them have been doing already.

In the unlikely event that the federal government through the Ministry of Education, the National University Commission (NUC) or even JAMB itself will realize the need for a drastic reduction in the UTME fee, we advocate that such money remitted as surplus to the federal coffers be deployed to better the lot of Nigerian students and improve education in the country.

The commission should partner relevant education agencies and evolve ways to utilize the money to develop appropriate support systems that will cater for a teeming students or candidates from disadvantaged backgrounds and communities, rural areas and those with special educational needs & disabilities (SEND) who apply for the examination on a yearly basis.

Projects and causes abound in the education sector that the commission needs to venture into by the virtue of its revenue generating potentials. A fully-funded scholarships for its best candidates on a state by state basis is one of the judicious ways to utilize this revenue.

Furthermore, the creation of permanent CBT exam centres in various parts of the country will help ensure probity in the conduct of the exams and check incidences of exam malpractices. 

While calling on the federal government to probe JAMB’s account in order to ascertain what the commission has done with billions of naira it has generated over the past decades that it only remitted N51 million, we hold that the Joint Admission And Matriculation Board must review its charges on the Nigerians students and make any money made from them count for them.

By Deen

REPORT

HIV treatment and an undetectable viral load to prevent HIV transmission

HIV treatment and an undetectable viral load to prevent HIV transmission

Summary

It is now well known that the use of HIV treatment not only improves the health of people living with HIV, but is also a highly effective strategy to prevent HIV transmission. This is because HIV treatment can reduce the amount of virus (viral load) in the blood and other bodily fluids (such as semen and vaginal and rectal fluids) to undetectable levels. To become and remain undetectable, people living with HIV need to take their HIV treatment as prescribed. In addition to taking HIV medications, regular medical visits are important to monitor viral load to make sure it stays undetectable, and to receive other medical support.

Evidence shows that HIV-positive people who are on treatment, engaged in care, and have an ongoing undetectable viral load:

do not transmit HIV to their sexual partners;

do not transmit HIV to their baby during pregnancy and delivery (if they maintain an undetectable viral load throughout pregnancy and childbirth);

have a reduced chance of transmitting HIV through breastfeeding; however, breastfeeding is not recommended in Canada (formula feeding is the current recommendation);

have a reduced chance of transmitting HIV to people they share injection drug use equipment with, but there is currently not enough evidence to conclude that there is no risk.

How does HIV treatment and an undetectable viral load work to prevent HIV transmission?

HIV treatment, also called antiretroviral therapy (ART), works by controlling the replication of HIV in the body – that is, it reduces HIV’s ability to make copies of itself. When HIV replication is controlled, the viral load in the blood and bodily fluids decreases. Research tells us that as the viral load decreases, so does the risk of HIV transmission. When successful treatment lowers the viral load to undetectable levels, this can greatly reduce or eliminate the risk of HIV transmission.

ART usually consists of a combination of at least three antiretroviral drugs taken daily. Newer HIV treatments are safer, simpler and more effective than when ART was first introduced. The power of ART today is so profound that many people who start effective treatment soon after becoming HIV positive will have a near normal life span.

For most people the virus becomes so well controlled that within three to six months of starting treatment the amount of virus in their blood becomes undetectable by routinely used tests. Most viral load tests used in Canada cannot detect HIV in the blood if there are less than 40 to 50 copies of the virus per ml. However, the virus is still present at very low amounts in the body when the viral load is undetectable.

What is involved in the consistent and correct use of ART and an undetectable viral load for HIV prevention?

The consistent and correct use of ART to maintain an undetectable viral load includes:

high adherence to ART medications, to achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load

regular medical appointments to monitor viral load and receive adherence support, if needed

Regular testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is also important since this strategy does not protect against STIs.

A person on ART needs to work with their doctor to determine an appropriate schedule for medical check-ups and viral load monitoring.

What is important for this approach to work?

After starting treatment the viral load needs to become and remain undetectable for this approach to provide protection.

When a person first begins treatment, it usually takes three to six months for the viral load to become undetectable. Most people will eventually have an undetectable viral load if they have a drug combination that is effective against their strain of HIV and take it as prescribed by their doctor.

The viral load should remain undetectable for at least six months before depending on this approach as an effective HIV prevention strategy. A person must continue to have high adherence to treatment to maintain an undetectable viral load over time. The only way to know if the viral load remains undetectable over the long term is to have regular viral load tests.

However, not everyone’s viral load becomes and remains undetectable on treatment. This most commonly happens when someone has low adherence to medications, but it can also occur due to drug resistance or drug toxicity. When treatment fails, a person won’t know that their viral load is detectable until they get another viral load test. Depending on the reason the treatment failed, a person may require a change in treatment, or may benefit from adherence counselling, to bring their viral load back down to undetectable levels. The best options for moving forward should be discussed with a doctor.

How well does the use of ART to maintain an undetectable viral load prevent the sexual transmission of HIV?

Research conducted in serodiscordant couples (where one partner is HIV positive and the other is HIV negative) shows that, when used consistently and correctly, the use of ART to maintain an undetectable viral load is a highly effective strategy to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV for both heterosexual and same-sex male couples. Evidence from this research shows that when people on ART are engaged in care and maintain an undetectable viral load, they do not transmit HIV through sex.

The first study to show that ART and an undetectable viral load has a major prevention benefit in serodiscordant heterosexual couples was the randomized controlled trial known as HPTN 052. In the final analysis, which included 1,763 serodiscordant heterosexual couples (half of whom were followed for over five and a half years), no HIV transmissions occurred between couples in the study when the HIV-positive partner was on ART and had an undetectable viral load. In total, eight transmissions occurred between couples while the HIV-positive partner was on ART; however, in all eight cases the viral load was detectable, despite being on ART. Four transmissions occurred in the first three months after the HIV-positive partner started treatment, before the viral load was undetectable. The other four happened when treatment failed to maintain the viral load at undetectable levels. In addition to these eight transmissions, there were 26 people who acquired HIV infection from a sex partner outside of the primary relationship, showing that in a serodiscordant couple in which the HIV-positive partner is on ART with an undetectable viral load, the main risk of HIV transmission comes from outside the relationship.

Results from a large two-phase observational study known as PARTNER showed that ART and an undetectable viral load prevents the sexual transmission of HIV in both heterosexual and same-sex male couples in the absence of other forms of HIV prevention (condoms, PrEP or PEP). The first phase of the study included heterosexual and same-sex male couples, and the second phase continued with only same-sex male couples. In this study there was a large number of unprotected sex acts (no condoms, PrEP or PEP) when the viral load was undetectable – approximately 36,000 among heterosexual couples and over 70,000 among same-sex male couples enrolled in the study. By the end of the study, there were no HIV transmissions between couples in the study when the HIV-positive partner was on ART and had an undetectable viral load. However, there were 16 new HIV infections (15 gay men and one heterosexual person) that were transmitted from a sex partner outside of the relationship.

An observational study similar to PARTNER, called Opposites Attract, also found no HIV transmissions between serodiscordant same-sex male couples when the partner was on treatment and maintained an undetectable viral load despite over 12,000 condomless anal sex acts. In this study, three of the HIV-negative partners got HIV from a partner outside of the relationship.

In both the PARTNER and Opposites Attract studies there was a high incidence of STIs. Between the two studies there were over 8,000 condomless anal sex acts between serodiscordant male couples during a period when at least one partner had an STI, and no HIV transmissions occurred. This indicates that an undetectable viral load prevents HIV transmission even in the presence of other STIs.

All participants in these studies were engaged in regular healthcare appointments to check viral load, test for STIs, and receive adherence and prevention counselling. They were also treated for STIs when needed. These comprehensive supports are an important part of regular follow-up care while on ART.

The results of these (and earlier) studies provide a strong body of evidence showing that people living with HIV who are adherent to ART and engaged in regular healthcare, with a sustained undetectable viral load, do not transmit HIV sexually. The PARTNER and Opposites Attract studies show that this is true even when condoms are not used, an din th epresence of other STIs.

How well does the use of ART to maintain an undetectable viral load prevent HIV transmission to a baby during pregnancy and birth, and while breastfeeding?

If a pregnant person starts HIV treatment prior to or very early in pregnancy and maintains an undetectable viral load during pregnancy and delivery, they will not transmit HIV to their baby. However, it is possible to transmit HIV through breastfeeding (sometimes called chestfeeding) because human milk can contain HIV even when the viral load is undetectable. 

A French cohort study found that no HIV transmissions occurred among 2,651 infants born to women who were on treatment before they conceived and throughout their pregnancy, and who had an undetectable viral load at delivery. Newborn children of HIV-positive people are also given a short course of HIV medication to help prevent transmission. However, if treatment is not taken for the entire duration of pregnancy or if an undetectable viral load is not maintained, there is a risk of HIV transmission to the infant during pregnancy and/or delivery. HIV testing is important for people who are pregnant or considering becoming pregnant, so that people who test positive can begin treatment and reduce or eliminate the risk of passing HIV to their babies.

The risk of transmitting HIV through breastfeeding while on treatment and maintaining an undetectable viral load is very low, but not zero. While an undetectable viral load greatly reduces the risk of transmission, there have been some cases of HIV transmission among breastfeeding women who had undetectable viral loads. Canadian guidelines recommend that HIV-positive parents feed their babies formula to prevent transmission. However, experts recommend that people who are on treatment and maintaining an undetectable viral load who have a strong desire to breastfeed should receive clinical support to do so as safely as possible.

How well does the use of ART to maintain an undetectable viral load prevent HIV transmission through injection drug use?

An HIV-positive person who is engaged in care, on ART and has a sustained undetectable viral load is also considerably less likely to pass HIV through injection drug use. The available research suggests that this strategy is effective at preventing HIV transmission among people who inject drugs; however, there is not enough evidence to conclude that there is no risk.

Two ecological studies from Vancouver and Baltimore reported on reductions in new HIV infections over time and found an association with a reduction in the community viral load of people who inject drugs. Although it is likely that increased uptake of ART is partly responsible for the observed decline in the number of new infections, it is difficult to know how much of this change can be attributed to an increase in harm reduction services that also occurred during this period. A recent cohort study in India among 14,481 people who inject drugs and 12,022 men who have sex with men found a clear correlation between estimated HIV incidence and both community-level treatment coverage and viral suppression. This study found significant correlations at the community level, but since it was not designed to look at individual risk of transmission, no estimate of effectiveness was available.

Is the use of ART to maintain an undetectable viral load intended to be used as a replacement for condoms and other HIV prevention strategies?

Although the use of ART to maintain an undetectable viral load works regardless of whether condoms or PrEP are used, everyone should be able to choose a prevention strategy that works best for them. This strategy is one of several highly effective options for preventing sexual HIV transmission; however, it does not offer protection against STIs (such as herpes, chlamydia or syphilis). Condoms are the only effective strategy to help prevent STIs.

For people who inject drugs, other prevention programs and strategies (such as the distribution and use of new injecting equipment) are important to help prevent HIV transmission, as well as other blood-borne infections such as hepatitis C.

Resources

CATIE resources

CATIE statement on the use of antiretroviral treatment (ART) as a highly effective strategy to maintain an undetectable viral load to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV

Undetectable viral load and HIV sexual transmission

The Power of Undetectable: What you need to know about HIV treatment as prevention

Negligible Risk: Updated results from two studies continue to show that antiretroviral treatment and an undetectable viral load is a highly effective HIV prevention strategy – CATIE News

Views from the front lines: Pregnancy and infant feeding – Prevention in Focus

 

Guidelines, position papers and consensus statements

Canadian Consensus Statement on the health and prevention benefits of HIV antiretroviral medications and HIV testing – CTAC, CATIE, positivelite.com

Expert consensus statement on the science of HIV in the context of criminal law (2018) – Journal of the international AIDS society

Risk of sexual transmission of HIV from a person with HIV who has an undetectable viral load: Messaging Primer & Consensus Statement – Prevention Access Campaign

Community Consensus Statement on access to HIV treatment and its use for prevention – AVAC, EATG, MSMGF, GNP+, HIV i-Base, the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, ITPC, NAM/aidsmap

Expert Consensus: Viral Load and Risk of HIV Transmission – Institut National de Santé Publique du Quebec (INSPQ)

Consolidated guidelines on HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care for key populations – World Health Organization (WHO)

References

Baeten JM, Kahle E, Lingappa JR et al. Genital HIV-1 RNA predicts risk of heterosexual HIV-1 transmission. Science Translational Medicine. 2011 Apr 6;3(77):77ra29.

Lee PK, Kieffer TL, Siliciano RF, et al. HIV-1 viral load blips are of limited clinical significance. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. 2006;57:803–805.

Cohen MS, Chen YQ, McCauley M, et al. Prevention of HIV-1 infection with early antiretroviral therapy. New England Journal of Medicine. 2011 Aug 11;365(6):493–505.

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Author(s): Arkell C, Harrigan M.

Published: 2018

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