HIV and AIDS are the most discussed health conditions. Despite numerous HIV awareness campaigns, many people still have questions about how HIV affects the body, how it spreads, whether its treatment is possible or can it be prevented? Understanding about HIV and related health issues is essential not only for those who are suffering from this deadly virus but also for other people who want to take care of their health. This blog provides much-needed HIV AIDS information, including its symptoms, causes, transmission, prevention and treatment.
Introduction
What is HIV AIDS? The Full form of HIV is Human immunodeficiency virus. HIV is a virus that attacks cells in the body that help fight infection, making an infected individual more vulnerable to other infections. If HIV is left untreated, it can give rise to AIDS, which is a late stage of infection that develops when the virus badly damages the immune system.
AIDS is short for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, causes it. It destroys the body’s immune system, making one vulnerable to infections.
HIV AIDS symptoms: You can develop HIV without showing any symptoms. This is why it is essential to get tested, even if you do not feel sick. Sometimes, HIV AIDS symptoms resemble flu-like symptoms, usually when you first get infected with the deadly virus. These can include fatigue, chills, fever, muscle aches, sore throat, rash, night sweats, swollen lymph nodes, and mouth sores.
How is AIDS different from HIV?
Having HIV is different from having AIDS. This is because AIDS is the advanced stage of HIV. Not all people who are infected with HIV develop AIDS. A lot of HIV-positive people live for long years without getting sick or developing AIDS. HIV gradually breaks down the immune system. When the body’s immune system is weakened, the infected person is more likely to catch infections that wouldn’t affect a normal person. Such infections are termed opportunistic infections as they take advantage of a person’s worn-out immune system. When an HIV-positive person develops certain types of opportunistic infections or when certain cells of their immune system drop below a specific level, they might develop AIDS. So, if someone has HIV, they might develop AIDS at a later stage in life. Hence, you don’t ‘get’ AIDS, but you ‘develop’ it from the Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
How do you get HIV/AIDS?
HIV/AIDS causes: HIV is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus, which is believed to attack the white blood cells called CD4 T cells. These cells play a crucial role in helping the body fight disease. The fewer these cells you have, the weaker your immune system becomes. AIDs is caused by having very few immune cells to fight against other illnesses.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus is found in blood and body fluids. If infected fluid enters your body through one of the following ways, you get infected with HIV:
- Sexual contact: HIV is found in vaginal fluids, pre-seminal fluid, semen and anal mucous. If you make sexual contact of any sort with a person who has HIV, their infected fluids can enter your body.
- Pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding: Babies are in very close contact with their mother’s body fluids right from amniotic fluid to blood and later, breast milk. Through such contact, an HIV-positive mother can transmit the infection to the child.
- Drug use via injections: Needles and drugs that are infected with HIV can enter your body and contaminate your blood if you share needles for taking drugs or steroids.
- Blood transfusion or organ transplant: If you go for a blood transfusion without proper screening and get contaminated blood, you can catch the infection and get HIV. These are the primary causes of HIV and AIDS. People can’t get HIV infection through ordinary day-to-day contact such as hugging, kissing, shaking hands, or sharing personal objects, water and food.
Read More: Know HIV/AIDS in males
How do you NOT get HIV/AIDS?
Casual physical contact like shaking hands or sharing utensils with an HIV-positive person does not lead to transmission of HIV or AIDS. This is because body fluids such as saliva, sweat, tears, vomit or urine do not contain enough HIV to contaminate another person. Also, HIV does not thrive in insects or other arthropods, so insect bites cannot transmit the virus.
How to Prevent the Transmission of HIV?
If you are HIV positive and want to keep from spreading the infection, or you are a non-infected person looking for tips to prevent getting HIV, keep the following points in mind:
- Never indulge in unprotected sex—oral, anal or vaginal—with your partner. Always practice safe sex to minimise any chance of exchanging blood or body fluids. Use latex or condoms for protection.
- Never share needles with anyone. If you are using needles, disinfect them before using.
- Never share items like razors, toothbrushes, blades, tattoo needles or any other items that can have blood on them.
What happens if you are HIV positive?
The early stages of HIV infection are termed acute HIV infection. Some early signs during this stage include headaches, fever, stomach ache, sore joints, nausea, night sweats, and skin rashes that can last up to 2 weeks. People might ignore it, thinking it is a viral fever or the flu. Most infected people may not show any symptoms.
HIV takes a few weeks or months to multiply in your body and wear down your immune system. While this happens, an HIV test will come back negative. However, you can still infect others during this period, as the virus is already in your body, and the amount of HIV particles in the bloodstream is high enough to infect others. Antibodies are formed when your immune system finally responds to the virus, and it is only then that you test positive for HIV. Even as HIV damages the body’s immunity, the infected person can live a healthy life for years.
How to get tested for HIV?
If you think you might have HIV or have been showing any early symptoms and feel that you might have been exposed to the virus recently, talk to your doctor. Most hospitals and clinics offer testing for HIV. Home test kits for HIV are also available. Blood test and oral swabs are sufficient to test for HIV. The test will check you for HIV antibodies, and if you are infected with the virus, your test will come back as HIV positive. It typically takes your body up to 3 months to develop antibodies after infection. This is termed a window period, where you might actually be infected but will return a negative result. Hence, it is important to do a follow-up test later if you still feel at risk for HIV.
Testing for HIV is important as early treatments can not only prolong your life span but also prevent the development of AIDS.
What to do if you have HIV/AIDS?
Consult a doctor who knows about HIV and AIDS and get a treatment started. IV AIDS treatment involves taking medications as prescribed by a healthcare specialist. You should begin HIV/AIDS treatment as soon as possible after diagnosis. HIV medicines can slow down the progression of the infection and help you live longer. Besides seeking HIV AIDS treatment, take a counsellor’s help for psychological help or join a support group. Inform your sex partner about your infection, as they might also be at risk of HIV. Follow safe sex practices to keep from transmitting the disease to your partner. Eat well, take good rest and avoid recreational drugs.
If you are pregnant and have HIV or AIDS, talk to your doctor. With effective treatment, you can significantly lower the risk of your baby getting infected with HIV. HIV medicines greatly help prevent transmission. Furthermore, cesarean deliveries and abstaining from breastfeeding prevent the infant from developing any infection.
Related article: Simple ways to Avoid Unwanted Pregnancy
Verdict!
With enough AIV AIDS awareness campaigns, treatments have come a long way. Now, people suffering from this deadly infection have the best chance of living a long life if they are diagnosed early and are able to stick to the prescribed treatment. The HIV medicines help stop the progression of HIV and AIDS symptoms and the overall disease. In fact, these can positively impact your well-being.
