Acute immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is brought on by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV depletes your T-cell population. It weakens your immune system to the point where you are unable to combat even minor diseases. HIV can exist without any visible signs. The best chance of living a long life is to get diagnosed and start treatment as soon as possible.
What is HIV?
Human Immunodeficiency Virus is referred to as HIV. HIV can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which develops when your immune system is significantly compromised (AIDS). Your immune system's ability to fight off other illnesses is hampered by HIV infection and cellular apoptosis.
HIV is referred to as a retrovirus because it inserts its instructions backward into your DNA.
How AIDS is different from HIV?
The last & most intense stage of HIV infection is AIDS. People with AIDS have highly compromised immune systems and extremely low levels of certain white blood cells. HIV infections can escalate to AIDS without therapy in around 10 years. They can have other conditions that show they have developed into AIDS.
HIV and AIDS are distinct in that HIV is a virus that compromises your immune system. When your immune system is significantly compromised as a result of an HIV infection, AIDS can develop.
If you don't have HIV, you cannot develop AIDS. Not everyone with HIV develops AIDS because of medication that reduces the virus's effects. But practically all HIV-positive individuals will eventually develop AIDS in the absence of therapy.
How does HIV affect a person's body?
Your immune system's CD4 cells, also known as helper T cells, are infected by HIV. Your white blood cell count will decline as a result of it destroying CD4 cells. Due to this, even infections that ordinarily wouldn't cause you to become ill are no longer able to be fought off by your immune system.
HIV first makes you feel ill with symptoms like the flu. After that, it might remain undetected in your body for a long period without showing any signs. Your T-cells are gradually destroyed throughout that period. HIV has advanced to AIDS when your T-cell count drops dramatically, or you start to get infections that individuals with robust immune systems don't get.
Rapid weight loss, acute exhaustion, oral or genital ulcers, fevers, night sweats, and skin discolorations are all possible symptoms of AIDS. People with AIDS frequently get other diseases including malignancies, which can produce additional symptoms.
HIV Affect
The idea that HIV exclusively affects a few people is misleading. If they are in contact with the virus, anyone may contract HIV. The two most typical methods of HIV transmission are having intercourse without using a condom and sharing needles when injecting drugs.
According to statistics, HIV affects some communities more than others. HIV disproportionately affects the following groups:
- Homosexuals, bisexuals, and guys who have sex with other men (MSM).
- Certain racial groups, such as Black or Hispanic individuals.
- HIV infection is also quite likely to occur in those who trade sexual favors for money or other commodities.
Social stigmas associated with HIV, racism, poverty, and homophobia continue to fuel inequalities and prevent individuals from receiving high-quality medical treatment. Even while they aren't the only groups affected by HIV, it's crucial to remember that they have particular difficulties gaining access to testing, preventative care, and thorough treatment.
Symptoms of HIV
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Night sweats
- Rash
- Sore throat
- Muscle aches
- Mouth sores
- Chills
- Swollen lymph nodes
Main 3 stages of HIV are as explained below:
- Stage 1: Acute HIV: Earlier patients get flu-like symptoms a month or two after acquiring HIV. Usually, these symptoms vanish in a week to a period of time.
- Stage 2: Clinical latency/chronic stage: You can have HIV after the acute stage for many years without getting ill. It's crucial to understand that even if you feel OK, you can still transmit HIV to others.
- Stage 3: AIDS: The most terrible stage of HIV infection is AIDS. Your immune system has been significantly compromised by HIV at this point. This makes you considerably more susceptible to opportunistic infections.
What Causes HIV/AIDS?
The human immunodeficiency virus is what causes HIV. Your immune system becomes compromised as a result of the virus's attack on its helper T-cells.
Having insufficient immune cells to combat other infections leads to AIDS.
HIV cannot also be contracted from:
HIV cannot also be contracted from:
- Embracing or touching an AIDS or HIV patient.
- Pools or restrooms available to the public.
- Sharing dishes, cutlery, or phones with an AIDS or HIV patient.
- Insect bites
- Donating blood.
How can I determine whether I have HIV?
You can't determine whether someone has HIV by glancing at them, and HIV infection may leave you symptom-free. Getting tested for HIV is the only way to find out whether you are infected.
What procedures identify HIV?
Antigen tests, antibody tests, and nucleic tests (NATs) are the three types of HIV testing available.
Antigen-antibody assays
Antigen assays check for p24 markers on the HIV surface. When your body reacts to such indicators, antibodies are made to detect those substances. Tests for HIV antigen/antibody check for both.
A little amount of blood will be drawn using a needle from your arm by a medical professional. In a lab, the blood is examined for p24 and antibodies against it. HIV may often be found in an antigen/antibody test 18 to 45 days after exposure.
Antibody tests
These examinations search for HIV antibodies in your blood or saliva. This can be done by pricking your finger, drawing blood from your arm, or using a stick that you massage on your gums to collect saliva.
HIV can be identified by an antibody test 23 to 90 days after exposure. Compared to saliva or blood from a finger prick, antibody testing using blood can identify HIV more quickly.
NATs (Nucleic acid tests)
NATs scan your blood for the HIV virus. A little amount of blood will be drawn using a needle from your arm by a medical professional. The blood is subsequently submitted to a lab for HIV testing.
In most cases, 10 to 33 days after exposure, a NAT may identify HIV. Be aware that unless you have experienced a high-risk exposure, this test is rarely performed.
