HIV/AIDS
WHAT IS HIV?
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). AIDS is an incurable sexually transmitted disease that if left untreated kills nearly all of its victims. HIV progressively damages the body's immune system making a person more susceptible to a variety of disorders and infection. As the person's immune system declines symptoms begin to appear and worsen.
About 34 million people are currently infected with HIV worldwide
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF HIV?
Initial symptoms appear within a few days to a few weeks of contracting the infection. Symptoms can include:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Rashes
- Headache
- Swollen Lymph Nodes
- Body Aches
- Night Sweats
- Sore throat
- Nausea
- Ulcers in the mouth
After these initial flu like symptoms pass most people have few or no symptoms for the first months or years. It could take anywhere from 2 to 20 years for the infected person to begin showing any symptoms. During this time a person can still infect others. The more the immune system weakens the more symptoms begin to show. A variety of symptoms can appear, including:
- Persistent swollen Lymph Nodes
- Lumps
- Rashes
- Sores or other growths
- Persistent yeast infections
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fever and drenching night sweats
- Dry cough and shortness of breath
- Persistent diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Memory loss
- Tremors or seizures
- Changes in mood and other psychological symptoms
HOW IS HIV TRANSMITTED?
It is transmitted by body fluids, such as blood, blood products, semen, vaginal and cervical fluids, and breast milk. It cannot live in air, on any surfaces, or in water.
It is most often transmitted through unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse, direct exposure to infected blood, and from an infected mother to her child during pregnancy, childbirth, and breast feeding. The sharing of needles and syringes during IV drug use is a common way of transmitting HIV.
It is most often transmitted through unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse, direct exposure to infected blood, and from an infected mother to her child during pregnancy, childbirth, and breast feeding. The sharing of needles and syringes during IV drug use is a common way of transmitting HIV.
HOW DO YOU TEST FOR HIV?
Your doctor, public health clinics, Planned Parenthood, and student health clinics can all test for HIV. It can cost or be free depending on where you go. The test can be done with a blood sample, urine samples, or with a rapid test done with a mouth swab. There are also home tests that can be purchased.
HOW IS HIV TREATED?
There is no known cure for HIV/AIDS however there are antiviral drugs that can significantly help an infected person and extend life.