Understanding HIV and AIDS by Amanda Johnson

HIV and AIDS are some of those diseases, where precaution is the best treatment. Let's go exploring.

HIV
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a retrovirus. It was first discovered in early 1980s. It affects a type of white blood cell (T Cell). Once this virus enters inside the body it completely covers the T Cell and start making a number of copies of itself. It fails the immune system of the body, which causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Currently, there is no vaccine available to prevent HIV infection.

AIDS
When HIV virus weakens the immune system of the body, the person is unable to fight the infection. This life threatening infection caused by HIV is called AIDS. It spread through human. It affects the normal functioning of immune system of the body. Currently, there is no treatment for AIDS is available. However there is a significant improved HIV medication helping HIV positive people to live their life longer and healthier.

Transmission of HIV virus
* Sexual intercourse is the one of the big reasons of transmission of HIV virus. Those who practice unsafe sex, having more than one partner or involved in anal sex may be at higher risk.
* Child can get the virus from his/her HIV infected mother and as a result of breast-feeding.
* Contaminated needle is also a reason of transmission of HIV virus.

Causes and symptoms
* Other people do not see any symptoms in infected person. Even the infected person may not experience infection for many years.
* An HIV positive person may begin to feel sick. He or she can feel low-grade fever, regular cough, chronic fatigue and extreme weakness.
* Heavy sweating at night occurs
* Loss of appetite
* Chronic Diarrhea
* Trouble in remembering things

However, when the doctors examine a patient, they will go through overall symptoms of AIDS instead of any one of the findings.

Prevention
* Practice only safe sex and be monogamous.
* Condoms are successful in preventing AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). So, always use latex condom for you sexual activities.
* Never share needles.
* Blood must be tested before transfusion.

Treatment
If you think that you may have HIV infection, you must get it tested. An early treatment may postpone the development of AIDS. The treating specialist will examine you and do the blood tests. Depending on the tests, results may take from several hours to several days. You can also approach AIDA testing center.

Since at present there is no cure for AIDS, prevention becomes more important. However a group of antiviral drugs that pump the immune system have helped many people to resist HIV infections. They are living a healthy and happy life. But at all these drugs may not be referred as a cure.

Find more information visit: Understanding HIV and AIDS

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