INTRODUCTION:
HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system, specifically the CD4 cells (T cells), which help the immune system fight off infections. If left untreated, HIV can lead to the disease AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). Unlike some other viruses, the human body can’t get rid of HIV completely, even with treatment. So once you get HIV, you have it for life.
Understanding HIV:
- Transmission: HIV is transmitted through bodily fluids that include blood, semen, vaginal and rectal fluids, breast milk, and pre-seminal fluid. The most common ways HIV is transmitted are through sexual intercourse, sharing needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment, and from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.
- Virus Replication: Once in the body, HIV attaches to and enters T cells, where it replicates and destroys them. Over time, this can severely weaken the immune system.
- AIDS: Without treatment, HIV can progress to AIDS, the most severe phase of HIV infection. People with AIDS have such badly damaged immune systems that they get an increasing number of severe illnesses, known as opportunistic infections.
Symptoms of HIV:
HIV symptoms can vary significantly between individuals. The progression of the virus through the body is generally divided into three stages:
- Acute HIV Infection: Within 2 to 4 weeks after infection with HIV, people may experience a flu-like illness, which may last for a few weeks. This is the body’s natural response to the infection. Symptoms may include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Rash
- Night sweats
- Muscle aches
- Sore throat
- Fatigue
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Mouth ulcers
- Clinical Latency (HIV Inactivity or Dormancy): This period is sometimes called asymptomatic HIV infection or chronic HIV infection. During this phase, the virus is still active but reproduces at very low levels. People may not have any symptoms or get sick during this time. This phase can last a decade or longer, but some may progress through this phase faster.
- AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome): This is the most severe phase of HIV infection. People with AIDS have badly damaged immune systems and are prone to a constellation of opportunistic infections and cancers. Symptoms can include:
- Rapid weight loss
- Recurring fever or profuse night sweats
- Extreme and unexplained tiredness
- Prolonged swelling of the lymph glands in the armpits, groin, or neck
- Diarrhea that lasts for more than a week
- Sores of the mouth, anus, or genitals
- Pneumonia
- Memory loss, depression, and other neurologic disorders
Diagnosis and Treatment:
- Testing: HIV is diagnosed through blood or saliva testing. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for managing the virus and maintaining a high quality of life.
- Treatment: While there is no cure for HIV, it can be controlled with proper medical care. The treatment primarily involves antiretroviral therapy (ART), which involves taking a combination of HIV medicines every day. ART can’t cure HIV, but it helps people with HIV live longer, healthier lives and reduces the risk of HIV transmission.
Prevention:
- Safe Practices: Using condoms correctly every time you have sex, limiting the number of sexual partners, and never sharing needles are key methods of preventing HIV.
- Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP): A daily medication that can reduce the risk of getting HIV from sex by more than 90%.
- Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP): Must be started within 72 hours after a recent possible exposure to HIV, and if taken as prescribed, it can significantly reduce the chance of becoming HIV positive.
CONCLUSION:
Living with HIV requires lifelong engagement with healthcare and adherence to treatment. With advances in treatment, people with HIV can live long and healthy lives. It’s also crucial to combat the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS, as it can lead to discrimination and affect the mental health of those living with the virus. Regular testing, education, and awareness are key in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
The Flower Girl🌸
