What is HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)?

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) refers to a specific type of infection that intrudes the body, causing an attack on the immune system which is the natural defense system of the body. Lack of healthy immune system makes the body weak and unable to fight diseases. Both infection and the virus lead to HIV. The virus attack mechanisms target a specific type of white blood cells known as CD4+ cells, and if most of these cells get infected, then the body becomes vulnerable to infections (Mathew). AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is the last stage resulting from HIV infection. AIDS patients have low CD4+ cells in the body hence they ill cancers and disease not observed in healthy people. However, it does not necessarily mean that people who have HIV also have AIDS, furthermore, it takes between ten to twelve years for HIV to graduate to AIDS. In cases where HIV infection gets diagnosed prior to becoming AIDS, necessary medication can either stop or slow the virus damaging the immune system. But, if AIDS has already developed, then medicine provided helps the immune system to get back to a healthy state. Hence having proper care and treatment HIV Patients can live an active and long life. The two types of HIV include HIV-1 which results in most cases of AIDS globally, and HIV-2 common in North America, this type results in AIDS-like sickness (Mathew).

What Causes HIV?

Human immunodeficiency is the virus that leads to HIV infection. HIV gets transmitted through contact with infected semen, blood, or vaginal fluids. In which most cases of HIV are due to unprotected sex involving a partner who has the virus. Another transmission way is through sharing sharp objects in which a person having the illness as well as mother to baby through breastfeeding, birth or pregnancy (Mathew). HIV cannot survive outside the body. Therefore, situations, like sharing eating utensils and even kissing with an infected person, cannot transmit HIV.

Symptoms of HIV

HIV may fail to show symptoms in its early stages, while in most cases, people confuse them with mono of flu. Some of the common symptoms in the early stages between 2 to 3 weeks of infection include; sore throat, fever, skin rash, headache, joint pain, and muscle aches, as well as swollen lymph nodes (Mathew). After the early stage, symptoms disappear for years but come back with lasting symptoms like fever, night sweats, weight loss, extreme tiredness, and swollen nodes.

Diagnosis

Doctors inspect the lasting symptoms to establish signs of HIV infections. If one is found to get exposed to the virus, then a test of the body antigens and antibodies get tested through blood, urine, or saliva, in which if both saliva and urine test positive, then blood test gets conducted to confirm the result (Mathew). Often doctors use results from the blood cells to diagnose HIV infection. Antigens and antibodies usually get traced in the blood between three months. Facilities that offer HIV testing services include Planned Parenthood clinics, public health clinics, doctor offices, and hospitals.

Treatment

Standard treatment for HIV infection requires a combination of antiretroviral therapy medicines or ART. This particular medicine offers the necessary body assistance in slowing down the virus rate of multiplying, which also helps the patient to stay healthy (Mathew). The doctor conducts two tests to monitor effects of the virus on the immune systems, which include CD4+ cell count and Vital load.

Prevention

HIV also gets transmitted by people who are not aware they are infected; therefore, take necessary precautions like;

• Restrains from having multiple sex partners
• Practice safer sex, which also prevents other STDS.
• Using drugs also puts someone in a vulnerable position.
• Avoid sharing syringes or needles as well as personal items like a toothbrush.

Works Cited

Mathew, Thomas, et al. “HIV infection associated neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: clinical features, imaging findings, management, and outcomes.”. Multiple sclerosis and related disorders 27: 289-293., 2019.