What is HIV?
HIV is the virus that is responsible for the occurrence of AIDS. HIV cause damages to the immune system. Weakness in the immune system makes it easier for an affected individual to get sick easily. HIV is transmitted through sex, but making use of condoms can help to prevent the transmission of HIV. HIV can affect anyone and research have shown that about 1 million people in the United States live with HIV, and every year there are more than 41,000 new infections. In the majority of people that have HIV, there may be no symptoms for years and it is also possible for them to be comfortable without feeling any forms of difficulty this makes it very difficult for them to know if they have been affected with HIV.
What is AIDS?
AIDS is an abbreviation of acquired immune deficiency syndrome. AIDS is a disease which is caused as a result of HIV infection. The infection is caused by the virus known as HIV. When people with HIV develop AIDS, the immune system is damaged and may find it very difficult to battle with other infections. Although treatments for HIV infection which also include AIDS have improved greatly. If left untreated, this infection can eventually lead to death.
HIV/AIDS is a serious infection
HIV is a human immunodeficiency virus. It’s a virus that breaks down certain cells which are responsible for the functionality of the immune system (the body’s defense mechanism that fights against diseases and keeps the body healthy). When the immune system of the body is damaged by HIV, it is very easy to get affected by sickness and if care is not taken, the infections could result in death.
As soon as you have HIV, the virus remains in the body throughout your lifetime. Presently, there is no cure for HIV, but there are some medications which can help you to stay healthy for a longer period of time and reduce your chances of spreading the virus to others. Treatment is really important (so it’s so important to go for a test). HIV-positive people who do not receive treatment always die from the virus. But with the use of drugs, individuals who have HIV can be healthy and live longer.
How do you get HIV/AIDS?
Body fluids such as sperm, vaginal secretion, blood and breast milk carry the HIV virus. The virus enters the body through cuts or skin wounds and mucous membranes (such as inside the vagina, rectum, and penis openings). You can get HIV from:
- Engaging in vaginal or anal sex
- Sharing of objects such as needles or syringe for drug taking, piercing, and tattoos among others.
- Coming into contact with a needle that contains blood that is infected with HIV
- Transfusion from blood that has been infected with HIV, sperm or vaginal secretion into cuts or open wounds on the body
How are people not infected?
People are not infected with HIV by:
- Occasional contact (such as sitting next to a person infected with HIV, sharing pots, making use of the same bathroom, drinking fountains, etc.)
- Blood donation
How do people prevent HIV infection?
People are preventing HIV infection by:
- Staying away from sex, drugs, and alcohol.
- Postponement of sexual activity.
- Maintain a loyal monogamous relationship with an HIV-negative person.
- Do not share needles or syringes.
- Proper use of condoms such as latex condoms/barrier that have water-based lubricant (K-Y gel, ID Glide, Cornhuskers lotion, Wet, SK-70), each time you have sex.
How is AIDS diagnosed?
AIDS is caused by infection with the virus (HIV). Carrying out the test is the way through which doctors determine the signs of HIV signs. Prior to the diagnosis of AIDS, doctors count the number of T-helper cells (T-helper cell is a white blood cell) in the blood that measures the strength of the immune system. If the number of T-cell is below 200, this indicates the presence of AIDS. In some cases, doctors also look for other signs of damages to the body defense mechanism, for example, cancers or diseases that usually attack people whose defense is not working.
