CAUSES OF HIV/AIDS, SYMPTOMS, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT - BY ABDUL RAUF

 

                                        

CAUSES OF HIV/AIDS, SYMPTOMS, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT - BY ABDUL RAUF

INTRODUCTION OF HIV and AIDS

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that affects the immune system of humans. If HIV is not treated, AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) can develop. Studying the basics about HIV can help you stay healthy and prevent the spread of the virus. There is currently no effective cure. People who contract HIV are affected for the rest of their lives. HIV, on the other hand, can be treated with proper medical treatment. HIV-positive people who get proper treatment can live long, healthy lives while also protect their relationships. The presence of HIV does not always mean that AIDS is present. People infected with the virus can develop AIDS over some long period of time. HIV and AIDS are incurable diseases. When a person's T cells are extraordinarily low and/or they get specific diseases or cancers, they are considered to have AIDS.

CAUSES OF HIV AND AIDS

Specifically, HIV can transmit via:

• Blood

• Semen

• Pre-seminal fluid

• Vaginal fluids

• Rectal fluids

• One of the main causes of HIV transmission is sex intercourse.

• Another main cause of HIV transmission is sharing equipment for injecting drugs.

• HIV is transmitted to babies less commonly during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding.

There is also the possibility of transmission through blood transfusion; however the risk is fairly minimal when blood donations are properly screened. HIV can only be spread through bodily fluids that contain a certain amount of the virus, If a person's HIV levels are undetectable, the virus cannot spread to another person. When the amount of HIV in the body is so low that a blood test cannot detect it, doctors consider it undetectable. Even though HIV is undetectable, it is still present, and maintaining this status requires monthly blood tests.

MYTHS AND FACTS ABOUT HIV AND AIDS

There are many misconceptions about HIV and AIDS. The virus cannot be transmitted from:

• shaking hands

• hugging

• casual kissing

• sneezing

• touching the unbroken skin

• using the same toilet with someone who has HIV

• sharing towels

• sharing utensils

• touching the saliva, tears, waste, or urine of a person with HIV

• or other forms of "casual contact"

 

HIV SYMPTOMS

Different people show different symptoms of the disease. Furthermore, the symptoms can vary based on the stage of HIV. Infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and/or parasites are the most common causes of HIV symptoms.

Stage 1: Symptoms of early HIV infection:

Within a few weeks of infection, 9 out of 10 persons with this disease develop flu-like symptoms. At this stage, some people do not feel sick. They have a severe case of HIV infection. The symptoms of HIV infection include:

• fever

• chills

• joint pain

• muscle aches

• sore throat

• sweats (particularly at night)

• enlarged glands

• a red rash

• tiredness

• weakness

• unintentional weight loss

Stage 2: Asymptomatic HIV (Clinical Latency Stage):

In many cases, when the early symptoms have disappeared, there will be no other symptoms for many years. The virus continues to develop and damage the immune system and organs during this period. If HIV patient don't take medicine to treat the disease at this stage, you may move onto the next stage within 10 years or so. The condition progresses far more quickly in certain people. However, if the patients get treatment, this stage may last longer since the drugs can control the growth of the virus and giving more time.

The infected person often has no symptoms, feels fine, and appears to be in good health. Here, it's important to keep in mind that HIV patients can still transmit the disease to people around them at this stage even if they show no symptoms.

Stage 3: Late-stage HIV infection (Progression to AIDS):

If the person don't take medicines for HIV, the virus will make their immune system a lot weaker and weakens their ability to fight infection.  The person becomes vulnerable to serious illnesses. This stage of infection is known as AIDS, which is the last stage of this disease.

Symptoms of late-stage HIV infection may include:

• blurred vision

• diarrhea, It is usually chronic or prolonged

• dry cough

• night seats or fever

• night sweats

• Extreme fatigue

• shortness of breath (dyspnea)

• Inflammation of the lymph glands

• unintentional weight loss

• On the tongue or inside the mouth, there are white spots.

• Pneumonia

• Sores of the genitals or mouth

• Depression, memory loss or neurologic disorders

The most of the disease's severe symptoms appear as a result of an opportunistic infection, which is caused by a weakened immune system. However, keep in mind that the symptoms described above are not always HIV signs. They may be associated to other common diseases. Therefore, doctor suggest that you run some tests in order to find out which disease you have.

 

DIAGNOSIS OF HIV AND AIDS

 HIV can be diagnosed using blood testing or saliva tests. Available tests include:

Antigen/antibody tests: Usually, these tests require drawing blood from a vein. Antigens are substances found on the surface of the HIV virus that are usually detectable. A positive blood test within a few weeks of being exposed to HIV.  When your immune system is exposed to HIV, it produces antibodies. Antibodies can take weeks or months to become detectable. It can take two to six weeks for the combined antigen/antibody tests to become positive after exposure.

Antibody tests: Antibodies to HIV are looked for in blood or saliva in these tests. The majority of quick HIV tests, including at-home self-tests, are antibody tests. Antibody tests can take three to twelve weeks to become positive after HIV has been exposed.

Nucleic acid tests (NATs): These tests check for the virus itself in your bloodstream (viral load). They also require the sample of blood taken from a vein. If you think you've been infected with HIV in the last few weeks, your doctor may recommend NAT. The first test to become positive will be NAT, after being exposed to HIV. Consult your doctor to identify which HIV test is right for you. If any of these tests are negative, you may require a follow-up test a few weeks or months later to confirm the results.

 

TREATMENT OF HIV AND AIDS

While there is no cure for HIV, there are treatments that can slow the infection's growth. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the most effective HIV treatment. This is a mixture of medicines that aims to minimize the amount of virus in your body. According to experts early antiretroviral treatment for HIV appears to have long-term benefits, such as a stronger immune system. However, you may decide not to get treated immediately. If you delayed treatment, Regular checkups will be needed to identify the level of HIV in your blood and how well your immune system is functioning. Antiretroviral medicines reduce the virus's growth rate. These medicines can help you stay healthy by reducing the amount of virus in your body. Medical experts advise the people that start HIV treatment as soon as they find they are infected. Pregnant women, those with other diseases (such tuberculosis or hepatitis), and people with AIDS symptoms all need special attention.  It's essential to follow your doctor's instructions for taking your medicines as you begin treatment. When treatment fails, it's usually because HIV has developed a resistant to the medicine. This can happen if you do not take the medicines exactly as prescribed.

You can also do the steps listed below:

•Eat well, quit smoking, and learn how to avoid infection to keep your immune system strong.

•Check your CD4+ (white blood cell) numbers to see how the virus is affecting your immune system. Consult a counselor to help you deal with the strong emotions and stress that might accompany an HIV diagnosis. Reduce your stress levels so that you can better control your HIV infection.