AIDS & HIV

AIDS & HIV

AIDS & HIV is very common among homosexual men, though any man or woman of any age or race can become infected with the deadly virus. AIDS is the sickness that results from infection of HIV. There are many preventative steps a person can and should take to avoid infection of HIV.

AIDS & HIV Defined

AIDS & HIV is a very deadly disease that attacks a person’s natural immune defenses. HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus because a person with HIV has a faulty or even non-existing immune system, making them much more susceptible to infections. HIV prevents the body from protecting itself against infections and other potentially dangerous organisms. AIDS is the name for the disease after HIV has been present in the body for several years. Once a person has AIDS, they experience opportunistic infections, so named because these infections would not normally affect a healthy individual.

Symptoms Of AIDS & HIV

A person who is infected with the human immunodeficiency virus may not exhibit symptoms of AIDS & HIV for months or even years. The symptoms of AIDS & HIV are a reflection of the fact that the person has a limited immune system. Infections, weight loss, severe fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes are some of the early symptoms of AIDS & HIV. After the infection has multiplied in the body over time, more symptoms of AIDS & HIV may include chronic diarrhea, chronic cough, and chronic fever.

Diagnosing AIDS & HIV

Antibody testing is common in diagnosing AIDS & HIV to check for the presence of antibodies against the virus. These antibodies take time to show up on the test after the person is infected, so its accuracy depends on how recently the person was infected with HIV. To receive a diagnosis of AIDS you must have a CD4 (the white blood cell HIV destroys) count below two hundred.

Causes Of AIDS & HIV

AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV. This virus attacks the body’s CD4 cells, which are white blood cells that work to protect the body against invaders. Without CD4 cells the infected person has a very difficult time fighting everyday infections and common sicknesses, and over time AIDS results. HIV is transmitted through sex of all kinds, blood transfusions, and the sharing of needles. The virus can also be spread from an infected mother to her baby during birth or breastfeeding.

Risk Factors Of AIDS & HIV

Risk factors of AIDS & HIV include having unprotected sex, using intravenous drugs, and having any other STD. HIV is spread easily from an infected person having sex with another person or sharing a drug IV with another person. The presence of other STD’s often means blisters or sores on the genitals providing an open door for HIV to enter.

Treatment For AIDS & HIV

There is currently not a cure for AIDS & HIV, so the treatment for AIDS & HIV focuses on managing the symptoms. Combining different drugs has proven to be the most effective way to control the virus as much as possible.

Medications For AIDS & HIV

The medications for AIDS & HIV are anti-HIV drugs meant to disable the virus in some way. The medications all work differently which is why they are often given in combination known as a cocktail.

Recovery From AIDS & HIV

There is no real recovery from AIDS & HIV because it is a deadly illness with no cure. Treatment for AIDS & HIV can reduce the amount of virus in the body to a point that is undetectable on a blood test. The virus is never gone once a person is infected, but with treatment they may be able to experience periods of remission.

Prevention Of AIDS & HIV

Prevention of AIDS & HIV is almost entirely within an individual’s control. Any activity that allows potentially HIV-infected body fluid into your body puts you at risk for AIDS & HIV. Having protected sex, or sex only with one partner who you know isn’t infected with HIV can prevent AIDS & HIV. If you use intravenous drugs, be sure you always have a sterile needle.