Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) attacks the white blood cells and weakens the immune system. The virus increases the risk of getting cancer and other life-threatening infections and ultimately causes cancer. Once the patient gets infected, the virus will stay inside the body for a lifetime.
The virus is transferred through bodily fluids from the infected person. Fever, rashes, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes are the common symptoms of HIV an infected person develops. For the confirmation of HIV, you can go for the blood tests.
Though there is no treatment for HIV, with constant medication, the reproduction of the virus can be stopped. Also, medicines strengthen the immune system. But, if left untreated, it develops AIDS and many serious infections/cancers.
Remember that HIV significantly damages the immune system, and you can easily get sick or may die because of this viral attack. If you are curious to learn more about this deadly virus, stop wondering. We have answered all your queries. Sit back, sip your coffee, and read the article; find everything you are curious about here.
What Is Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)?
Human immunodeficiency virus attacks the body's natural defense. It kills the cells that fight against viral infections, and consequently, the person becomes more susceptible to various diseases and viral infections.
The virus is transferred from HIV patients to healthy people via bodily fluids such as blood transfusions. For instance, sharing of the injections is one of the major causes of HIV transfer. HIV, which is left untreated and unattended, leads you towards AIDS.
Remember that there is no cure for HIV; once you are infected with HIV, the virus will stay in your body for a lifetime. But, as the medication is available and with proper care, you can recover to some extent.
The medicines can effectively reduce the viral count in your body, known as viral suppression. If the viral load cannot be detected via standard lab tests, the condition is known as the undetectable viral load.
People who get infected with HIV but take the medication regularly can live a long and healthy life. Also, the medication reduces the risk of viral transfer significantly. The medicines taken within 72 hours of virus exposure will not let the virus take over the hold!
If you think AIDS and HIV are the same, let us tell you that AIDS is the late stage of HIV, where the virus destroys the body's immune system. As a result, the patient starts developing various types of viral infections.
What Are The Signs and Symptoms of HIV?
The symptoms of HIV vary depending on the phase of infection:
Primary Infection or Acute HIV
Most people develop the flu-like illness just 2 to 3 weeks after they have met the virus. This condition is known as the primary infection or acute HIV. The condition usually lasts for a few weeks. The other signs you might witness in this condition include:
- Rashes
- Headache
- Fever
- Sore throat with painful mouth sores
- Weight loss
- Night sweats
- Cough
- Swollen lymphatic glands
Any of these symptoms you witness during the viral attack will be mild. But, at that stage, the number of viruses in your bloodstream is much higher. Also, the virus works hard at that time to take over the body, and infection spreads in your body at a faster rate.
Clinical Latent Infection or Chronic HIV
At this stage, while the virus is still present in your body or white cells, the person doesn't develop any signs or infections. The stage lasts many years as the patient continuously receives antiretroviral therapy. Many people develop severe diseases soon after this stage.
How is HIV Transmitted?
The transfer of HIV from an infected to HIV HIV-negative person involves contact with an open surface and the transfer of fluids containing the HIV or cells infected with the virus. It can appear in any body fluid but mostly appears in blood. Though urine, tears, and saliva contain this virus, the transfer of the virus through any of these is rare.
If you are in contact with a patient without transferring body fluid, the virus will not be transferred. Besides that, coughing and sneezing cannot transfer the HIV. The following ways usually transfer the virus:
- Using the syringe or injection that the infected person already uses
- Different medical procedures, including the blood transfer
- From mother to infants via mother's milk
The virus will reach your body even if you have a small cut on the skin. But the thing worth mentioning here is that whatever the way the virus is getting into the bodies of healthy people is preventable!
How Is HIV Treated?
There is no cure for HIV, but the condition can be treated with different medicines that stop the virus from reproducing, and the treatment used for this purpose is called antiretroviral therapy.
In the earlier days, patients used to go for this therapy after they developed HIV complications, but now the treatment is recommended to everyone infected with HIV. There are two different types of treatments:
- Shots are given to the patients every month. People who have an undetectable viral count receive the shots.
- In the earlier stages, you will get the pills for treatment.
Besides the medication, regular tests are necessary to ensure that the number of viruses in your body decreases gradually. The aim of HIV treatment is not only to suppress the viral count but to stop its transfer to healthy people.
Conclusion:
Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV destroys T-cells, weakens the immune system, and develops AIDS. As a result, the patient's body fails to fight against minor infections and might develop serious cancers and infections.
The patient might develop flu, rashes, or fatigue, but remember, you can develop the HV without any symptoms. Therefore, if you are doubted, get yourself tested and start medications in the early stages. Otherwise, there is no cure for the disease, and you may develop various other diseases while fighting for your life!
