AIDS/HIV

What Is AIDS?

AIDS is an acronym for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. An HIV-infected person receives a diagnosis of AIDS after developing one of the CDC-defined AIDS defining illnesses. An HIV-positive person who has not had any serious illnesses also can receive an AIDS diagnosis on the basis of certain blood tests; specifically the CD4 counts.

A positive HIV test result DOES NOT mean that a person has AIDS. A diagnosis of AIDS is made by a physician using certain clinical criteria (e.g., AIDS defining illnesses).

Infection with HIV can weaken the immune system to the point that it has difficulty fighting off certain infections. These types of infections are known as opportunistic infections because they take the opportunity a weakened immune system gives to cause illness.

Many of the infections that cause problems or may be life-threatening for people with AIDS are usually controlled by a healthy immune system. The immune system of a person with AIDS is weakened to the point that medical intervention may be necessary to prevent or treat serious illness.

Today there are medical treatments that can slow down the rate at which HIV weakens the immune system. There are other treatments that can prevent or cure some of the illnesses associated with AIDS. As with other diseases, early detection offers more options for treatment and preventative care.

What is HIV?

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
It is a virus that attacks the human immune system. Someone infected with the virus can live with HIV or be HIV positive for many years without becoming ill or showing symptoms. During this time however, HIV remains in the body damaging the immune system and the person remains infectious; able to spread the virus to others if a few simple precautions are not follwed.


Over time, HIV can damage the immune system to such a degree that infections may begin to occur as a result of a weakened immune system. Eventually, one may acquire various illnesses due to the damage done by the virus.

When this happens this is called AIDS or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. That is, a collection of illnesses.

What are the symptoms of AIDS?

A person is diagnosed with AIDS when they have developed an AIDS related condition or symptom, called an opportunistic infection, or an AIDS related cancer. The infections are called ‘opportunistic’ because they take advantage of the opportunity offered by a weakened immune system.

It is possible for someone to be diagnosed with AIDS even if they have not developed an opportunistic infection. AIDS can be diagnosed when the number of immune system cells (CD4 cells) in the blood of an HIV positive person drops below a certain level.

AIDS symptoms appear in the most advanced stage of HIV disease. In addition to a badly damaged immune system, a person with AIDS may also have

   

1.thrush — a thick, whitish coating of the tongue or mouth that is caused by a yeast infection and sometimes accompanied by a sore throat (AIDS Symptoms)
2.  severe or recurring vaginal yeast infections(AIDS Symptoms)
3. chronic pelvic inflammatory disease(AIDS Symptoms)
4  severe and frequent infections(AIDS Symptoms)
5  periods of extreme and unexplained tiredness that may be combined with headaches,                lightheadedness, and/or dizziness(AIDS Symptoms)
6  quick loss of more than 10 pounds of weight that is not due to increased physical exercise or dieting(AIDS Symptoms)
7  bruising more easily than normal(AIDS Symptoms)
8  long periods of frequent diarrhea(AIDS Symptoms)
9  frequent fevers and/or night sweats(AIDS Symptoms)
10  swelling or hardening of glands located in the throat, armpit, or groin(AIDS Symptoms)
11  periods of persistent, deep, dry coughing(AIDS Symptoms)
12  increasing shortness of breath(AIDS Symptoms)
13  the appearance of discolored or purplish growths on the skin or inside the mouth(AIDS Symptoms)
14  unexplained bleeding from growths on the skin, from the mouth, nose, anus, or vagina, or from any opening in the body(AIDS Symptoms)
15.frequent or unusual skin rashes  (AIDS Symptoms)
16.severe numbness or pain in the hands or feet, the loss of muscle control and reflex, paralysis, or loss of muscular strength    (AIDS Symptoms)
17. confusion, personality change, or decreased mental abilities ( AIDS Symptoms)

What Are The Symptoms Of HIV

Some people develop HIV symptoms shortly after being infected. But it usually takes more than 10 years.
There are several stages of HIV disease. The first HIV symptoms may include swollen glands in the throat, armpit, or groin. Other early HIV symptoms include slight fever, headaches, fatigue, and muscle aches. These symptoms may last for only a few weeks. Then there are usually no HIV symptoms for many years. That is why it can be hard to know if you have HIV.

What is the difference between HIV and AIDS?

In simple terms - you can't 'catch' AIDS. You can, however, catch HIV. Being infected with HIV does not mean that one has AIDS, but if left undiagnosed and/or untreated, HIV infection damages the immune system and can progress to AIDS.

AIDS results from the desruction of the immune system by HIV. The immune system's function is to fight off infections and other diseases. If your immune system is damaged or not working well, you are at risk of life-threatening infections and cancers. HIV attacks and destroys the disease fighting cells of the immune system. The body is left with a weakened defense against disease

How HIV Spread?

People have lots of questions about the ways you can get HIV. HIV is transmitted in blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. The most common ways HIV is spread are by

    having vaginal or anal intercourse without a condom with someone who has HIV/AIDS
    sharing needles or syringes with someone who has HIV/AIDS
    being deeply punctured with a needle or surgical instrument contaminated with HIV
    getting HIV-infected blood, semen, or vaginal secretions into open wounds or sores

Babies born to women with HIV/AIDS can get HIV from their mothers during birth or from breastfeeding.

HIV is not transmitted by simple casual contact such as kissing, sharing drinking glasses, or hugging.