Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that damages the immune system cells in human anatomy. This virus attacks the cells and weakens the immunity of the body. This virus can lead to severe health issues including AIDS. Through advanced medications and proper healthcare, people can live a long and healthy life. HIV usually channels from exchanging contaminated bodily fluids. HIV can pass on from one person to another through unprotected sexual activities, infected blood, breastfeeding, vaginal secretions.
Symptoms of Human Immunodeficiency Virus(HIV)
The symptoms of HIV differ depending on the stage of infection. The infected person is more injurious during the first couple of months due to unawareness of their status. They may suffer from mild fever, rashes, headaches, or sore throat.
When the immune system weakens at a high rate, more serious symptoms and signs occurs ;
- Fever
- Diarrhoea
- Weight loss
- Lymph nodes
- Cough
- Mouth ulcers
However, if the disease left without treatment, it can develop more dire sicknesses in the body that include;
- Cryptococcal meningitis
- Tuberculosis (TB)
- Various bacterial diseases
- And cancers like Kaposi's Sarcoma and Lymphomas
Risk Factors
Some numerous conditions and actions can put risks to an individual contracting HIV:
- Unprotected sexual activities.
- Using contaminated injections when injecting drugs like syringes, needles, drug solutions.
- Experiencing injuries from needle sticks.
- Suffering from any other sexually transmitted diseases (STI) like Chlamydia, Syphilis, Bacterial Vaginosis, Herpes, and Gonorrhea.
Prevention of HIV
There are several preventing majors for individuals to reduce exposure to HIV infection. Some essential approaches to HIV prevention :
- Male and female condom use
During Intercourse, people are advised to counseling female condoms. It helps to prevent any sexually transmitted diseases (STI). The experts have observed the use of male latex condoms has more protective effects against HIV or other STIs.
- Harm Reduction for People using drugs and injections
People injecting drugs can take precautions against HIV by using safe and sterile needles or syringes. The drug-induced needles are contagious.
An overall collection of HIV prevention and treatment for people injecting drugs include;
- Access to condoms
- HIV testing and counseling
- Program for needles and syringes
- Management of Tuberculosis (TB), STIs, and viral hepatitis
- People dependent on opioids and other drugs depending on treatment should get substitute opioids therapy.
• Examining and counseling for HIV and other STIs
People who are exposed to risk factors of HIV and STIs are advised for examination. It enables people to be more aware of their HIV status. And also get proper treatment and services without delay. Especially the couples are advised to take the test due to the risk factors, they are under.
• Testing and counseling for Tuberculous care
Tuberculosis is the most common sickness for HIV-infected people. It is the major cause of people with HIV. Through TB treatment, individuals who detected early TB can be prevented from death.
Treatment of HIV
While no cure has been found for HIV, it can be suppressed by certain treatment routines made of ARV drugs. It helps them regain their capacity to fight off the infection. Several new guidelines for HIV treatment are composed of ARVs options with greater potency and tolerability. No matter the improvement of the drugs, infants, and children still have fewer options. Healthcare organizations are putting their effort into finding more effective new ARV drugs.
Suresh Hospital’s ../department of Allergy and Immune System
HIV stands for Human Immune Deficiency Virus. The virus belongs to the group of retroviruses. A pathogen that harms the immune system of the body. When a person gets infected with this virus, his/ her immune system through various symptoms. We, at Suresh Hospital, have qualified doctors who take care of allergic conditions by performing tests and other medical procedures for the well-being of the patients.