• HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It is the virus that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS, if not treated. HIV attacks the body’s immune system, specifically the CD4 cells (T cells), which help the immune system fight off infections. Untreated, HIV reduces the number of CD4 cells (T cells) in the body, making the person more likely to get other infections.
What is AIDS?
HIV is the virus that can lead to a severely suppressed immune system causing AIDS. AIDS stands for “Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome” and is the advanced stage of HIV. As HIV continues, it slowly wears down your immune system causing Viruses, parasites, fungi, and bacteria that usually do not cause any problems in your body severely compromise an individual’s health. These are called “Opportunistic Infections.” Some examples of these opportunistic infections include:
• These are called opportunistic infections. These include:
• cryptococcal meningitis.
• toxoplasmosis.
• PCP, a type of pneumonia.
• oesophageal candidiasis.
• certain cancers, including Kaposi's sarcoma.
Only a healthcare professional can determine whether you have AIDS. An individual may be diagnosed with AIDS when they have reached a CD4 count of 200 or less, or if they have acquired an opportunistic infection; however an individual can be living with HIV and never be diagnosed with AIDS depending on early detection of the virus, their health and adherence to treatment.
How is it transmitted?
HIV can be transmitted from an HIV-positive person to an HIV-negative person through five different bodily fluids.
These fluids are:
Blood: Through sharing needles or “the works”/ through sex/ through child birth
Semen/Pre-cum: Through having condomless sex
Vaginal Fluids: Through having condomless sex
Breast Milk: Through breastfeeding
What are the symptoms?
Some people may experience a flu-like illness within 2 to 4 weeks after infection (Stage 1 HIV infection). But some people may not feel sick during this stage. Flu-like symptoms include fever, chills, rash, night sweats, muscle aches, sore throat, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, or mouth ulcers. These symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks. During this time, HIV infection may not show up on an HIV test, but people who have it are highly infectious and can spread the infection to others.
If you have these symptoms, that doesn’t mean you have HIV. Each of these symptoms can be caused by other illnesses. But if you have these symptoms after a potential exposure to HIV, see a health care provider and tell them about your risk. The only way to determine whether you are infected is to be tested for HIV infection.
How is it treated?
Unfortunately there is no cure for HIV; however treatment for HIV has progressed tremendously and allows a person living with HIV to live a normal life. The treatment for HIV is called Antiretroviral Therapy (ART). There are currently five different “classes” of HIV drugs. Each class of drug attacks the virus at different points in its life cycle. If you are taking HIV meds you will generally take 3 different antiretroviral drugs from 2 different classes. No drug can cure HIV, and taking a single drug by itself won’t stop HIV from harming you, but taking 3 different HIV meds does the best job of controlling the amount of virus in your body and protecting your immune system.
How can an infection be prevented?
Abstinence is the only 100% effective way of preventing HIV when it comes to sexual activity. However, if you chose to engage in sexual activities and are unsure if you or your partner is possibly infected, consistent and correct use of latex barriers (condoms) can help reduce the risk of transmission. Additionally if you are a person who uses needles to inject drugs, avoiding sharing injection equipment will reduce your chances of being infected. PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is another way for people who are HIV negative to prevent HIV infection by taking a pill every day. If you are taking PrEP and are exposed to HIV through sex or injection drug use, the medications in the pill can work to keep the virus from taking hold in your body. If you are interested in learning more about PrEP click here….
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