HIV And AIDS Awareness

AIDS is the late stage of HIV infection that occurs when the body’s immune system is badly damaged because of the virus.
Taking medicine at the early stage of HIV do not develops AIDS because HIV medicine stops the progression of the disease.

What is HIV?

 HIV is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It can also be spread by contact with infected blood and from illicit injection drug use or sharing needles. It can also be spread from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.

There's no cure for HIV/AIDS, but medications can control the infection and prevent the progression of the disease. Antiviral treatments for HIV have reduced AIDS deaths around the world, and international organizations are working to increase the availability of prevention measures and treatment in resource-poor countries.

 Source: Mayo Clinic

 According to an official U.S. Government website managed by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Service “The human body can’t get rid of HIV and no effective HIV cure exists. So, once you have HIV, you have it for life. If left untreated, HIV can lead to the disease AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome).

 However, effective treatment with HIV medicine (called antiretroviral therapy or ART) is available. If taken as prescribed, HIV medicine can reduce the amount of HIV in the blood (also called the viral load) to a very low level. This is called viral suppression. If a person’s viral load is so low that a standard lab can’t detect it, this is called having an undetectable viral load. People with HIV who take HIV medicine as prescribed and keep an undetectable viral load can live long and healthy lives and will not transmit HIV to their HIV-negative partners through sex.

 Tests for HIV:

 HIV can be only detected through tests. It’s important to know that you are infected because you can take steps to reduce the likelihood of transmitting HIV to others and start treatment.

The types of HIV tests are Standard HIV blood test, Rapid blood test, Antibody/antigen test, Rapid oral test, and Nucleic acid tests (NAT).

 Symptoms of HIV AND AIDS:

HIV :

 It's important to know the early symptoms of HIV because without treatment HIV may lead to AIDS and other complications, so it's important to speak with your doctor right away if you are suffering from any of the following symptoms.

 Fever

Fatigue

Swollen lymph nodes — often one of the first signs of HIV infection

Diarrhea

Weight loss

Oral yeast infection (thrush)

Shingles (herpes zoster)

Pneumonia

 AIDS:

 AIDS is a lifelong condition known as the chronic form of the HIV virus. If you're an AIDS patient, it's important to know what symptoms are common so that you can get checked for them. You may be suffering from AIDS if you have

 Sweats

Chills

Recurring fever

Chronic diarrhea

Swollen lymph glands

Persistent white spots or unusual lesions on your tongue or in your mouth

Persistent, unexplained fatigue

Weakness

Weight loss

Skin rashes or bumps.

 Myths about HIV AND AIDS:

 Myth Number: 1

 If both partners have HIV, they don’t need to wear condoms.

Fact:

HIV-positive couples still need to protect themselves and receive treatment. This is because both partners may have different types of HIV that could endanger each other, which can lead to reinfection.

 Myth Number: 2
You can get HIV from sharing cups and utensils with someone who is living with the virus.

Fact:

Not true. But you can get HIV when bodily fluids from an infected person enter your bloodstream. These fluids include:

Blood.  

 Breast milk.

 Fluid from the anus. 

 Semen. 

 Vaginal fluid.

Myth Number: 3

Mostly HIV means your life is over.

Fact:

“With early diagnosis, surveillance, and ART, those who are living with the virus can enjoy healthy and purposeful lives.

Myth Number: 4

Mosquitoes spread HIV.

Fact:

Not true because the virus is passed through blood. When bugs bite, they don't inject the blood of the person or animal they bit before you.

Myth Number: 5

HIV affects childbirth and fertility.

Fact:

“HIV does not affect fertility and childbirth, especially for women who are receiving appropriate and adequate treatment.

 Conclusion:

Symptoms of HIV and AIDS vary from person to person in case of severity. It’s important to talk to your doctor about HIV and AIDS treatment as soon as possible once it is detected.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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