HIV and cosmetic procedures..

Can an AIDS patient undergo surgery?

To answer this question, it is necessary to first clarify the difference between Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and HIV. It is incorrect to consider them as the same thing.

HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is a virus that attacks the blood cells that help fight infections, ultimately weakening the immune system. An individual infected with HIV becomes unable to effectively combat infections and diseases.

The body cannot eliminate the HIV virus, but with proper care and treatment, its progression to more severe stages can be prevented and managed effectively.

AIDS, on the other hand, is the advanced stage (Stage Three) of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. It occurs when the virus aggressively and significantly destroys the patient's immune system to the point where the body cannot effectively fight against it. The number of lymphocytes in the blood becomes extremely low, and severe symptoms gradually start to appear.

Individuals infected with HIV can live for many years in a semi-normal state without progressing to Stage Three of the disease and developing AIDS. This is possible if they adhere to treatments that help control the virus and keep it at low levels in the blood.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 38 million people worldwide are living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The organization also states that one in every five individuals living with HIV is unaware of their infection. This is primarily due to a lack of sufficient awareness about the importance of regular testing, as the symptoms of HIV closely resemble those of the flu (sore throat, muscle aches, rash, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and night sweats).

Returning to the initial question, the answer is that patients with AIDS or those who have reached Stage Three of HIV cannot undergo any surgical procedure due to the inability of their bodies to withstand the surgical interventions.

However, a patient with HIV can undergo surgical procedures without significant risks after reviewing their medical history and assessing the virus's progression since the time of infection.

Several necessary tests need to be conducted to ensure the feasibility of the surgery. One of these tests involves evaluating the lymphocyte count in the blood, as lymphocytes play a crucial role in the immune system, and the count should be above 500 for the patient to tolerate the surgery.

In addition to these tests, other necessary analyses must be performed. Once completed, the results are sent to the Ministry of Health for approval before proceeding with the surgery.

Cosmetic surgical procedures for patients with HIV/AIDS are performed in Turkey, unlike many countries that do not allow it. This is due to the advanced medical development and technology utilized in Turkey, along with techniques that reduce many of the risks associated with such procedures. Additionally, Turkey is home to some of the most skilled doctors globally.

The process is carried out with utmost precision, organization, and caution. The operating room is thoroughly sterilized, and specially sterilized instruments are prepared for the patient, which are used only once. The entire medical team wears specialized attire for these types of procedures.

Moreover, the pre-operative and post-operative care is also specialized and meticulous. This explains the higher cost associated with cosmetic surgery for patients with HIV/AIDS, as it involves extensive preparations that are not typically required for an ordinary patient.

In the end, patients with HIV/AIDS suffer from social stigma due to the common misconception of equating them with AIDS patients. However, they are simply individuals who have been infected with a life-threatening virus but have managed to confront and control it, preventing them from becoming true AIDS patients.