Understanding HIV

HIV, also known as the human immunodeficiency virus, spreads through bodily fluids such as blood, vaginal fluid, semen, pre-ejaculation, and breast milk. Without treatment, the infection develops into acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). So there is a difference between HIV and AIDS as you would have not to treat HIV for it become AIDS, meaning HIV does not mean AIDS. Even without access to treatment, in most cases, it takes HIV around 10 to 12 years to progress to AIDS.

AIDS causes the immune system to crash, which leads to leads to life-threatening infections in your body. According to Avert, since the beginning of the epidemic in the 1980s, over 35 million have lost their lives due to AIDS, and 78 million people have contracted the virus. AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa is the largest concern as there isn’t enough information and treatment available, so most AIDS-related deaths take place in Africa. However, since the discovery of cutting-edge treatments and antiretroviral drugs, the mortality rate, especially in the developed world, has decreased dramatically.

As per Avert, there are approximately 36 million people with HIV globally, 17 million of whom are on treatment. The number of individuals who get access to treatment is increasing promisingly.

HIV Causes

The three most common ways the virus is transmitted:

– Unprotected sexual intercourse

– Sharing needles

– A mother passing it on during pregnancy or via breastfeeding

HIV Symptoms

In most cases, HIV may go unnoticed because it has subtle symptoms that mimic the common flu. The following symptoms usually exhibit the symptoms a few days to weeks after the exposure and may never arise again. These initial symptoms are:

– Sore throat

– Fever

– Body pain

– Swollen glands

– Headaches

However, they may recur and sometimes even persist with additional symptoms like night sweating, weight loss, and fatigue.

HIV Diagnosis

Once you contract the virus, your body produces antibodies to fight the infection naturally. The test available to detect HIV look for these antibodies. HIV antibodies become detectable in the blood in 3 to 6 months, but there are also rapid tests available today. If you have a particular reason to suspect you may have gotten infected, get tested again periodically at least two more times every six months.

HIV Treatment

The most common form of treatment for HIV is antiretroviral therapy, which often means a cocktail of antiretroviral medications. These drugs slow down the progression of the virus and lower the production of the virus in the body. In most cases, HIV-positive people’s status becomes undetectable in which case the likelihood of their transmitting the infection to someone else is much lower when protection is used.

Featured Image: depositphotos/belchonock

Posted on May 5, 2023