What is HIV and AIDS?
Definition
according to Hivtest.com.hk Human Immunodeficiency Virus, or HIV, is a virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).
HIV can drastically reduce the immune system, allowing diseases, bacteria, viruses and other infections to attack your body. Unlike other viruses, your body cannot get rid of HIV completely. If you are infected with HIV, you will have it for life.
AIDS is the most severe condition of HIV disease and is characterized by the emergence of other diseases, such as cancer and various infections, which appear along with the weakening of your immune system.
How common is HIV and AIDS?
According to a report from WHO (World Health Organization), at the end of 2014, there were around 37 million people living with HIV and 1.2 million people died from AIDS-related causes. However, only 54% of sufferers realize that they have HIV / AIDS. This is because you may have HIV without symptoms.
Signs & symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of HIV and AIDS?
Even if you don’t show any symptoms, you can still pass on the virus to others. This is because HIV can take up to 2 to 15 years to produce symptoms. You may have HIV and still look healthy and function normally. You cannot know for sure if you have HIV until you are examined.
HIV does not directly damage your organs, but will attack the immune system, allowing various other diseases, especially infections, to attack your body. The first symptoms of HIV are similar to other viral infections:
Fever
Headache
Fatigue
Muscleache
Losing weight
Swollen glands in the throat, armpits, or groin
AIDS is a progressive advanced stage of HIV infection. HIV can reduce the immune system, causing many other infectious conditions. If you have AIDS, you may have several infectious conditions at the same time, for example
Infection, either one or even several, for example tuberculosis, cytomegalovirus infection, cryptococcal meningitis, toxoplasmosis, cryptosporidiosis.
Cancer. For example lung cancer, kidney cancer or lymphoma, and Kaposi’s sarcoma.
Tuberculosis (TB). In resource-poor countries, TB is the most common infection associated with HIV, and is a leading cause of death among people with AIDS.
Cytomegalovirus. This common herpes virus is transmitted in body fluids such as saliva, blood, urine, semen, and breast milk. A healthy immune system will make the virus inactive. However, if the immune system is weakened, the virus reappears and causes damage to the eyes, digestive tract, lungs, or other organs.
Candidiasis. Candidiasis is an infection that is also common in HIV. This condition causes inflammation and causes a white and thick layer of mucous membranes in the mouth, tongue, esophagus, or vagina.
Cryptococcal meningitis. Meningitis is inflammation of the membranes and fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord (meninges). Cryptococcal meningitis is a central common nervous system infection associated with HIV, caused by fungi found in the soil.
Toxoplasmosis. This deadly infection is caused by Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite that spreads mainly by cats. Infected cats also have parasites in their feces, and parasites can then spread to other animals and humans.
Cryptosporidiosis. This infection is caused by intestinal parasites commonly found in animals. You can contact cryptosporidiosis when you ingest contaminated food or water. Parasites grow in your intestines and bile ducts, causing chronic severe diarrhea in people with AIDS.
Besides infection, you are also at risk of developing cancer and neurological problems and kidney problems when you have AIDS.
This condition can manifest as:
- Thrush: a whitish and thick layer on the tongue or mouth caused by a fungal infection and sometimes accompanied by a sore throat
- Severe or recurrent vaginal fungal infections
- Chronic pelvic inflammatory disease
- Severe infections and often experience extreme fatigue that cannot be explained by the cause, which may occur together with headaches, and / or dizziness
- A decrease in body weight of more than 5 kg is not caused by an increase in physical exercise or diet
- Bruising is easier than usual
- Diarrhea period is more frequent
- Frequent fever and / or night sweats
- Swelling or hardening of the glands located in the throat, armpits, or groin
- Continuous dry cough period
- Increased shortness of breath
- The appearance of discoloration or purplish on the skin or in the mouth
- Bleeding to the skin, mouth, nose, anus, or vagina, or from opening in the body without cause
- Frequent or unusual skin rashes
- Severe numbness or pain in the hands or feet, loss of muscle control and reflexes, paralysis, or loss of muscle strength
- Confusion, personality changes, or decreased mental abilities
There may be some symptoms that are not listed above. If you have questions about symptoms, please consult with your doctor.
When should I see a doctor?
If you have any of the signs or symptoms listed above or have questions, please consult with your doctor. Each person’s body is different. Always consult a doctor to handle your health condition.
Cause
What causes HIV and AIDS?
AIDS is caused by HIV. HIV is transmitted through contact with infected blood, semen, and vaginal fluids from infected people. As an example:
When you have vaginal, anal, or oral contact with someone who has HIV without a condom. HIV is most often sexually transmitted. This is because mixed liquids and viruses can be transmitted, especially where there is water in the vaginal or rectal tissues, wounds, or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Teenage women are very vulnerable to HIV infection because their vaginal membranes are thinner and more susceptible to infection than adult women.
By sharing needles and other injecting drug equipment contaminated with HIV.
By using tattoo equipment and body piercing (including ink) that are not sterilized or completely cleaned and infected with HIV.
From a mother with HIV to her baby (before or during birth) and by breastfeeding.
By having other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia or gonorrhea. STIs can weaken your body’s natural protection and increase your chances of getting infected with HIV if you get the virus.
Contact with blood, semen, or vaginal fluids that have HIV infection in wounds or open wounds
You cannot get HIV through daily contacts such as:
- Touch
- Shake hands
- Cuddle or kiss
- Cough and sneeze
- Give blood
- Use the swimming pool or toilet seat
- Share bed linen
- Tableware or food
- Animals, mosquitoes, or other insects.
Risk factors
What increases my risk for HIV and AIDS?
AIDS is caused by HIV and this virus is transmitted through the exchange of body fluids from HIV patients, including blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. As an example:
- By having unprotected sexual activity with someone who has HIV.
-By sharing needles and other injecting drug equipment contaminated with HIV.
- By using tattoo equipment and body piercing (including ink) that are not properly sterilized and cleaned and infected with HIV.
- From a mother with HIV to her baby (before or during birth) and by breastfeeding.
- Contact with blood, semen, or vaginal fluids infected with HIV in wounds or open wounds.
Medication & Treatment
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.
How to diagnose HIV and AIDS?
Blood tests allow doctors to determine whether you are infected with the HIV virus. The accuracy of the test depends on the time of the last exposure to HIV (unprotected sex, sharing needles). If you have had a risky experience, you can be infected with a virus at any time. Therefore, it is better to be tested for HIV. There is a period of about 3 months for HIV antibodies to appear on an HIV test.
If your results are positive (reactive):
You have antibodies to HIV and have HIV infection. But that does not mean you have AIDS.
Nobody knows for sure when someone infected with the HIV virus will experience AIDS.
If your results are negative, you don’t have antibodies during the test. However:
If it’s been 3 months since the activity is at risk for HIV and your testing is negative, you don’t have HIV infection.
If it has been less than 3 months since you started an HIV-risk activity, you will have to retest.
Remember, if you carry out activities that are at risk for HIV, you can be infected with the virus at any time. For more information about how you can get HIV, be sure how do I get it?
How to treat HIV and AIDS?
There is no medicine or vaccine for HIV / AIDS. There are several drugs that help slow the progression of the disease. Talk to your doctor or specialist about treatments that will work well for you.
You must know if you are positive for HIV as soon as possible to get medical advice and treatment. This includes:
Consult with a doctor who knows about HIV / AIDS treatment.
If you are sexually active, inform a sex partner who might also be infected.
Don’t share needles.
Get psychological support with a therapist and / or join a support group for people with HIV / AIDS.
Get social and legal information and support from HIV / AIDS service organizations.
Don’t share your HIV status with people you don’t need to know. People with HIV may still face discrimination. Just tell your people to provide support.
Consider using drugs that can slow the progress of infection.
Treatment at home
What lifestyle changes or home remedies can be done to overcome HIV and AIDS?
Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with HIV / AIDS:
Maintain a strong immune system with regular medical examinations and a healthy lifestyle
Eat well
Enough rest and exercise
Avoid illegal drugs including alcohol and tobacco
Learn how to manage stress effectively
If you are HIV positive, you can transmit the virus to others even if you don’t display any symptoms. Protect yourself and others, prevent the spread of HIV by:
Always use condoms for vaginal, oral or anal sex
Do not share needles or other drug equipment
Tell people who might be exposed to your body fluids, such as a doctor, dentist or dental cleanser
If you have HIV and are pregnant, consult a doctor who has experience with HIV treatment. Without treatment, about 25 out of 100 babies born to mothers with HIV are also infected. However, the use of HIV drugs, caesarean section, not breastfeeding can reduce the risk of transmission to less than 2 in 100.