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THE FACTS OF HIV AIDS

WHAT IS HIV & AIDS?

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS. This virus takes hold on the human immune system cells (CD4) and reproduces itself. It damages human immune system and weakens it slowly until an infected person succumbs to the AIDS.

AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and it is the state that is identified when there are a set of related symptoms that are caused by advanced HIV infection. AIDS makes the body susceptible to life threatening sickness. It is called as opportunistic infections (TB, PCP. HSV)  AIDS is the advanced stage of HIV infection. When a person develops this stage he/she cannot go back to the primary stage that is known as HIV infection though he/she seems better.

WHO CAN GET AIDS?

ANYBODY. It is not who you are, where you are or what you are, but what you do sexually.

HOW DOES HIV SPREAD OUT?

HIV can spread out through the blood and blood products as well as other body fluids that include white blood cells.

·         This involves vaginal, oral and anal sexual intercourse with an infected man or woman without a condom or other blockade. {Involving into intercourse when a woman is having her period or genital sores can raise the risk of HIV transmission}.

·         By using contaminated/infected razor blades, pins, needles, syringes and other sharp equipments that are used by an HIV infected person.

·         Blood transfusion with contaminated or infected blood to patient.

·         Transplantation of organs from infected donors to another person

·         A mother with HIV can pass the virus on to the baby during pregnancy, birth or through breast feeding.

HOW DOES HIV DAMAGE THE BODY?

The immune system is composed of specialized cells that are known to be T4 or CD4, or helper T. These cells fights off with invading germs and keeps the body healthy. HIV attacks on these cells and weakens them. However it can also assault nervous system, cells of brain, lymphatic system, digestive system, and other parts of the body. These CD4 cells orders the cells that are known to be soldier cells to destroy the invaders like bacteria, fungi, parasites, cancers, and viruses that can spread the infection in body. HIV virus replicates itself and virtually damages immune system.

SYMPTOMS OF HIV & AIDS

Early Symptoms of HIV

These symptoms resemblance to flu like illness. It may be possible that they do not appear in some cases at all. These symptoms develop in months or years. When these symptoms develop the symptoms like extreme fatigue, short term memory loss, weight loss etc. can be seen in infected person.

The early symptoms include

• Fever
• Tiredness
• Headache
• Enlarged lymph nodes

Some common symptoms of HIV

• Excessive fatigue and Weight loss
• Dry cough for more than a month
• Diarrhoea for more than a month
• Mental symptoms like confusion
• Frequent fevers and Night sweats
• Oral thrush (white spots/coating in the month and throat
• Genital sores and Rash of flaky skin
• Blurred vision

(It is possible that a person with some of these signs has another illness and not HIV-AIDS. A blood test is the only true confirmation of an infection with HIV).

How HIV becomes AIDS

There are four stages of HIV infection. These stages take several years to be developed. The process can be classified into four stages that are primary, asymptomatic, symptomatic, and AIDS. It is necessary to know about that in what stage a person is as it would be helpful for a physician to decide the treatment plan for the disease.

Stages of HIV infection

Primary stage

It is the first stage of HIV infection. When a person gets infected with HIV infection the stage starts soon after that. The stage continues for few weeks and an infected person can experience the symptoms like flu like illness. Generally many people do not undergo with treatment because the symptoms resemblance to sickness or fever. If a person goes through treatment, it is often misdiagnosed with a viral infection. The HIV test results appear to be negative in this period. So it is advisable for those who think that they may be having HIV infection should repeated the test program after six months.

Asymptomatic HIV

In this stage a person becomes symptoms free. HIV finds in low extent in the blood but it can be detectable. Moreover, the HIV test results appear to be positive in this period if it is performed. Though the symptoms are not visible, but HIV continuously reproduced in the blood. The period can be shorter or longer.

Symptomatic HIV

In this stage the immune system is damaged by HIV. As a result of this the symptoms begin to appear. At the beginning symptoms are mild but later on they become severe. Opportunistic infection attack on immune system in this period as immune system is no longer resisting them.

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

This one is last stage and a person gets diagnosed with AIDS. Opportunistic infections can be seen clearly in this stage. A person cannot get back to the primary stage after getting developed AIDS.

There is a certain correlation between HIV infection and AIDS. The given stuff would help you to understand this correlation.

IS THERE A CURE FOR HIV AND AIDS?

There is no known cure for HIV and AIDS. A lot of research is on-going to develop a vaccine and cure. At best you can prevent getting the virus into your system.

However, medication exists that prevents the virus from multiplying so as to manage the disease and help with HIV live longer and healthier.

HOW DO I AVOID GETTING HIV AND AIDS

·         Abstinence is the safest and most effective way of protecting yourself against HIV & AIIDS and related diseases.

·         Be faithful to an uninfected partner who is also faithful to you. Having sex with multiple partners increases your risk of contracting the virus.

·         Use condoms properly and consistently any time you have sex.

·         Do not share unsterilized sharp instrument with people.

·         Get injections from qualified health workers only

·         Make sure that all instruments used in cutting, ear piercing, tattooing, acupuncture, male and female circumcision are properly sterilized.

·         Avoid sharing needles, pins, razor blades, toothbrushes, sponges, hair styling and barbering instruments, pedicure and manicure instruments.

HOW DO I KNOW MY HIV & AIDS STATUS

Visit the nearest health centre for an HIV TEST.  It is important to repeat the test after three months since the virus can take a while to appear in the blood.

World HIV Day

World HIV AIDS Day is observed on 1st December every year. It aims to familiarize the entire world population about this deadly pandemic, so that our future generations remain safe from it. Campaigns, seminars, speeches, rallies and lectures are organized, so that people start thinking seriously about this issue.