Thursday, 16 April 2015

WHAT IS HIV/AIDS?

About HIV/AIDS

Image of red blood cells
HIV/AIDS
 HIV is a virus spread through body fluids that affects specific cells of the immune system, called CD4 cells, or T cells. Over time, HIV can destroy so many of these cells that the body can’t fight off infections and disease. When this happens, HIV infection leads to AIDS. Learn more about the stages of HIV and how to tell whether you’re infected.

What is the difference between HIV and AIDS?

HIV is the virus which attacks the T-cells in the immune system.

AIDS is the syndrome which appears in advanced stages of HIV infection. 

HIV is a virus. 

AIDS is a medical condition. 

HIV infection causes AIDS to develop. However, it is possible to be infected with HIV without developing AIDS. Without treatment, the HIV infection is allowed to progress and eventually it will develop into AIDS in the vast majority of cases. 

HIV testing can identify infection in the early stages. This allows the patient to use prophylactic (preventive) drugs which will slow the rate at which the virus replicates, delaying the onset of AIDS. 

AIDS patients still have the HIV virus and are still infectious. Someone with AIDS can pass HIV to someone else.

What are the signs and symptoms of HIV/AIDS?

What is the difference between a sign and a symptom? A sign is something other people, apart from the patient can detect, such as a swelling, rash, or change in skin color. A symptom is something only the patient feels and describes, such as a headachefatigue, or dizziness.


Symptoms of AIDS


For the most part, the symptoms of HIV are the result of infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. These conditions do not normally develop in individuals with healthy immune systems, which protect the body against infection.

Signs and symptoms of early HIV infection

Many people with HIV have no symptoms for several years. Others may develop symptoms similar to flu, usually two to six weeks after catching the virus. The symptoms can last up to four weeks.

Symptoms of early HIV infection may include:
  • fever
  • chills
  • joint pain
  • muscle ache
  • sore throat
  • sweats (particularly at night)
  • enlarged glands
  • a red rash
  • tiredness
  • weakness
  • weight loss

What causes HIV/AIDS?

HIV is a retrovirus that infects the vital organs of the human immune system. The virus progresses in the absence of antiretroviral therapy. The rate of virus progression varies widely between individuals and depends on many factors (age of the patient, body's ability to defend against HIV, access to health care, existence of coexisting infections, the infected person's genetic inheritance, resistance to certain strains of HIV).

HIV can be transmitted through:
  • Sexual transmission. It can happen when there is contact with infected sexual secretions (rectal, genital or oral mucous membranes). This can happen while having unprotected sex, including vaginal, oral and anal sex or sharing sex toys with someone infected with HIV.

  • Perinatal transmission. The mother can pass the infection on to her child during childbirth, pregnancy, and also through breastfeeding.

  • Blood transmission. The risk of transmitting HIV through blood transfusion is nowadays extremely low in developed countries, thanks to meticulous screening and precautions. Among drug users, sharing and reusing syringes contaminated with HIV-infected blood is extremely hazardous.

    Thanks to strict protection procedures the risk of accidental infection for healthcare workers is low.

    Individuals who give and receive tattoos and piercings are also at risk and should be very careful.
Myths: There are many misconceptions about HIV and AIDS. The virus CANNOT be transmitted from:
    • shaking hands
    • hugging
    • casual kissing
    • sneezing
    • touching unbroken skin
    • using the same toilet
    • sharing towels
    • sharing cutlery
    • mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
    • or other forms of "casual contact"

What are the treatment options for HIV/AIDS?
Emergency HIV pills.Antiretroviral drugs.Complementary or alternative medicine.


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