By
Dr Sowjanya BK
Submitted On March 18, 2015
What is HIV/ AIDS?
Many of us know about HIV and AIDS - but the real facts are quite contradicting among many of us. HIV is the immuno deficiency virus. It spreads through blood, body fluids, infected syringes and unprotected sex. If it is present in the blood, a person tests positive for it, but does not show any symptoms of AIDS. It means a person can be HIV positive, but does not have AIDS, but still capable of spreading HIV.
However, the virus multiplies and destroys immune cells of the body; as a result make a person sick with infections that normally do not affect him/ her if their immune system is healthy. If a person develops several infections and life-threatening health conditions, full-blown AIDS (Acquired Immuno-deficiency syndrome) develops.
Why AIDS is So deadly?
HIV constantly attacks and kills body's immune cells and destroys body's ability to fight almost all infections including cancer as well. As a result an infected person may get life-threatening opportunistic infections, which otherwise or relatively harmless. Therefore, a HIV positive person may get seriously ill due to bacterial, viral and fungal infections and ultimately dies.
FAQs
Can I develop AIDS immediately after testing HIV positive?
Some people may develop symptoms (fever, weakness, body pains)shortly after being infected. The first symptoms of infection include flu like symptoms: fever, headache, tiredness & enlarged lymph nodes.
These symptoms usually disappear within a week or month.The initial symptoms also include swollen armpit, groin or throat. Some people don't have any symptoms at all for up to 12 years or more. However, it takes up to 10 years to develop full-blown AIDS for them.
What are the symptoms of AIDS?
Frequent or unusual skin rashes
Severe and frequent infections (fungal, bacterial & viral)
Unexplained weight loss
Frequent respiratory infections (pneumonia)
Tuberculosis
Loss of muscular strength
Swelling and hardening of glands in arm pits, groin, etc
Headache, dizziness and fatigue
Diarrhea
How can I know if I have HIV?
Unless tested you will not know whether you have HIV or not. So testing is very important as 1 out of 10 people don't know whether they are infected with HIV or not.
How is HIV Spread?
HIV is spread through blood, semen, vaginal fluid, and other body fluid with blood. However the most common ways include anal or vaginal intercourse with a person having AIDS or HIV positive without condoms, Sharing blood infected needles and Blood transfusion.
Even open wounds or sores getting in contact with HIV infected blood, semen, or vaginal fluids can also spread HIV.
How Can I prevent Getting or Spreading HIV?
Don't share needles.
Don't indulge in unprotected sex.
Don't share personal items including toothbrushes, razors, blades for cutting.
Other facts
HIV is not transmitted by simple casual contact such as kissing, sharing drinking glasses, or hugging.
HIV is not transmitted through animals or insect bites. It is not transmitted by sharing toilets, utensils, drinking glasses, shaking hands or kissing
Many of us know about HIV and AIDS - but the real facts are quite contradicting among many of us. HIV is the immuno deficiency virus. It spreads through blood, body fluids, infected syringes and unprotected sex. If it is present in the blood, a person tests positive for it, but does not show any symptoms of AIDS. It means a person can be HIV positive, but does not have AIDS, but still capable of spreading HIV.
However, the virus multiplies and destroys immune cells of the body; as a result make a person sick with infections that normally do not affect him/ her if their immune system is healthy. If a person develops several infections and life-threatening health conditions, full-blown AIDS (Acquired Immuno-deficiency syndrome) develops.
Why AIDS is So deadly?
HIV constantly attacks and kills body's immune cells and destroys body's ability to fight almost all infections including cancer as well. As a result an infected person may get life-threatening opportunistic infections, which otherwise or relatively harmless. Therefore, a HIV positive person may get seriously ill due to bacterial, viral and fungal infections and ultimately dies.
FAQs
Can I develop AIDS immediately after testing HIV positive?
Some people may develop symptoms (fever, weakness, body pains)shortly after being infected. The first symptoms of infection include flu like symptoms: fever, headache, tiredness & enlarged lymph nodes.
These symptoms usually disappear within a week or month.The initial symptoms also include swollen armpit, groin or throat. Some people don't have any symptoms at all for up to 12 years or more. However, it takes up to 10 years to develop full-blown AIDS for them.
What are the symptoms of AIDS?
Frequent or unusual skin rashes
Severe and frequent infections (fungal, bacterial & viral)
Unexplained weight loss
Frequent respiratory infections (pneumonia)
Tuberculosis
Loss of muscular strength
Swelling and hardening of glands in arm pits, groin, etc
Headache, dizziness and fatigue
Diarrhea
How can I know if I have HIV?
Unless tested you will not know whether you have HIV or not. So testing is very important as 1 out of 10 people don't know whether they are infected with HIV or not.
How is HIV Spread?
HIV is spread through blood, semen, vaginal fluid, and other body fluid with blood. However the most common ways include anal or vaginal intercourse with a person having AIDS or HIV positive without condoms, Sharing blood infected needles and Blood transfusion.
Even open wounds or sores getting in contact with HIV infected blood, semen, or vaginal fluids can also spread HIV.
How Can I prevent Getting or Spreading HIV?
Don't share needles.
Don't indulge in unprotected sex.
Don't share personal items including toothbrushes, razors, blades for cutting.
Other facts
HIV is not transmitted by simple casual contact such as kissing, sharing drinking glasses, or hugging.
HIV is not transmitted through animals or insect bites. It is not transmitted by sharing toilets, utensils, drinking glasses, shaking hands or kissing
Dr Sowjanya BK is Working for Continental Hospitals. Continental Hospitals is one of the international hospital located in Hyderabad, Gachibowli.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Dr_Sowjanya_BK/2099024
No comments:
Post a Comment