What is HIV/AIDS - Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Prevention?

 

HIV & AIDS: HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus and AIDS stand for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. HIV-viruses may be infected the cells of living organisms. People who are infected by HIV, known as HIV positive or HIV+.

HIV is a contagious disease. It can be transmitted by direct skin-to-skin contacts and sexual contact. The immune system is protected your body by infections and fighting viruses. Viruses usually found and killed rapidly by strong human immune system. There are different types of viruses which may attack different parts of the body such as lungs, skin.

Specific immune system cell called by CD4 lymphocyte is attacked by HIV. It can be diagnosed by blood test after three months when the virus entered into the body. A person who has strong immune system, infected with HIV can live for many years. AIDS is a serious health problem.

A person with AIDS has damaged immune system. A person with HIV is not treated, then it may be associated AIDS within ten years. HIV is often found in tears, saliva and urine of infected person.

A person can be infected with HIV in the following ways:

• Sexual activities with infected person
• HIV can be spread from mother to child.
• Blood transmitted from infected person to uninfected person.
• Injecting drugs are also associated HIV infection.
• Uses of contaminated blood products are also vulnerable to HIV infection.

A person cannot be infected with HIV in the following ways:-

• Animals’ bites or insect bites.
• Eating food prepared by infected person.
• Sharing items such as towels, cutlery or crockery.
• Hugging, touching and shaking hands
• Toilet seats

Diagnosis:

HIV test will be recommended by the health care provider to detect AIDS. Use of blood products in medicine and screening of blood can be performed by the doctor. HIV can be detected by tests of urine, plasma, serum, oral fluid and dried blood spot of patients. HIV-DNA and HIV- RNA is commercial test to detect the HIV.

Symptoms and signs:

• High fever
• Swollen glands
• Weakness
• Loss in body weight

Treatment:

Highly-active anti-retroviral therapy is effective to treat AIDS. Sometimes anti-retroviral treatments with medications are also effective to reduce the symptoms of HIV infection.

Acupuncture, herbal remedies and massage can be used by people with HIV or AIDS.

Prevention:

• Infected person should avoid sexual activities.
• Always use latex condoms during sexual contact.
• You should avoid depression and anxiety.