AIDS, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is a chronic, possibly fatal condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (HIV). By damaging your immune system, HIV weakens your body's ability to fight infection and disease.  

HIV is a sexually transmitted infection that affects men and women alike (STI). It can also be passed from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding by contact with infected blood. It could take years without medicine for HIV to damage your immune system to the point where you develop AIDS.  

Despite the fact that there is no cure for HIV/AIDS, medications can greatly slow the progression of the disease. These drugs have reduced AIDS fatalities in several developed countries.  

Symptoms  

Symptoms of HIV and AIDS vary depending on the stage of infection.  

 From the beginning, there was infection (Acute HIV)  

Some HIV patients get a flu-like illness within two to four weeks of the virus entering their bodies. HIV infection that is primary (acute) is a short-term illness that can last a few weeks.. Primary (acute) HIV infection is a short-term sickness that can last a few weeks. The following are examples of possible indications and symptoms:  

• Fever  
• Headache  
• Muscle aches and pains in the joints  
• Rash  
• Painful oral sores and a sore throat  
• Lymph glands are swollen, mostly in the neck  
• Diarrhea  
• Loss of weight  
• Cough  
• Sweats at night 

Infection that is clinically latent (Chronic HIV)  

At this stage of infection, HIV is still present in the body and white blood cells. However, many people may not have any symptoms or infections throughout this time.  

This phase can last for years if you aren't taking antiretroviral medicine (ART). Some people are more likely to get a severe form of the disease than others. 

Symptoms of HIV infection  

 As the virus spreads and damages your immune cells (the cells in your body that help fight viruses), you may have mild infections or persistent signs and symptoms. 

• Fever 
• Fatigue  
• Swollen lymph nodes are one of the most common early indications of HIV infection.  
• Diarrhea  
• Loss of weight  
• Yeast infection in the mouth (thrush)  
• Shingles are a type of roofing material that is used (herpes zoster)  
• Pneumonia 
•  Progression to AIDS  

 Most people with HIV in the United States today do not get AIDS as a result of improved antiviral therapy. If left untreated, HIV usually develops to AIDS in 8 to 10 years. 

When you get AIDS, your immune system is seriously harmed. You'll be more susceptible to opportunistic infections and malignancies, which are diseases that would not normally cause illness in someone with a sound immune system.  

Some of these illnesses may cause the following signs and symptoms:  

• Sweats
• Chills  
• Fever that keeps coming back  
• Diarrhea that persists  
• Lymph glands swollen  
• On your tongue or in your mouth, persistent white patches or odd lesions  
• Fatigue that persists despite a lack of explanation  
• Weakness  
• Loss of weight  
• Rashes or pimples on the skin 

Read More Rheumatic Fever

Causes  

A virus is responsible for the transmission of HIV. It can be passed from mother to kid by sexual contact or blood, or during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.  

How can HIV progress to AIDS?  

HIV damages CD4 T cells, which are white blood cells that assist your body fight disease. Your immune system grows weaker as your CD4 T cells decrease.  

Before AIDS develops, you might have an HIV infection for years with little or no symptoms. AIDS is diagnosed when your CD4 T cell count falls below 200 or you develop an AIDS-defining consequence, such as a severe infection or cancer.  

HIV infection and its spread  

In order to contract HIV, infected blood, sperm, or vaginal secretions must enter your body. This can happen in a number of ways:  

By having a sexual relationship. You may become infected if you have vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected partner.  

For example, by replacing needles. Sharing infected IV drug accessories (needles and syringes) increases your risk of developing HIV and other infectious diseases such as hepatitis. 

Blood transfusions are to blame. The virus can be spread through blood transfusions in some situations. The danger of infection is quite low in the United States since hospitals and blood banks test the blood supply for HIV antibodies.  

Breast-feeding, as well as throughout pregnancy and delivery. Infected mothers can pass the virus on to their children. During pregnancy, HIV-positive moms who receive treatment for their condition can significantly lower the risk to their unborn children.  

What makes you think HIV won't spread?  

HIV infection is not spread through normal social interactions. That means you can't obtain HIV or AIDS via hugging, kissing, dancing, or shaking hands with someone who has it. 

HIV is not transmitted through the air, water, or bites of insects. 

Factors that are at risk  

HIV/AIDS can infect anyone of any age, color, gender, or sexual orientation. However, you're most likely to contract HIV/AIDS if you:  

Have sex that isn't under the protection of the law. Use a new latex or polyurethane condom every time you have sex. Anal intercourse has a greater danger than vaginal sex. Your HIV risk increases if you have multiple sexual partners.  

Have you contracted a sexually transmitted infection? (STI). Open sores on your genitals are a common symptom of many sexually transmitted diseases (STIs). HIV is able to enter your body through these sores. 

Use intravenous drugs. IV drug users frequently share needles and syringes. This exposes them to blood droplets from other people. 

Complications  

HIV infection lowers your immune system, making you more susceptible to infections and malignancies of all forms.  

HIV/AIDS-related infections  

Pneumocystis pneumonia is a type of pneumonia caused by the bacteria Pneumocy (PCP). . This fungal infection has the potential to be quite dangerous. Despite the fact that it has decreased considerably with current HIV/AIDS medications, PCP remains the most common cause of pneumonia in HIV-positive people in the United States.  

Humans are infected with Candidiasis, a parasitic infection (thrush). Candidiasis is a rather common HIV-related infection. In your lips, tongue, throat, and vaginal area, it causes swelling and a thick, white covering.  

Tuberculosis of the lungs is a kind of tuberculosis that affects the lungs (TB). In resource-poor nations, tuberculosis is the most prevalent opportunistic infection associated with HIV. Among AIDS patients, it is the leading cause of death.  

Cytomegalovirus. Body fluids such as saliva, blood, urine, sperm, and breast milk spread the herpes simplex virus. A healthy immune system inactivates the virus, which then remains dormant in your body. The infection resurfaces if your immune system weakens. You won't be able to spread the virus to others if your viral load remains undetectable - a blood test shows no virus. Using TasP entails taking your medication exactly as directed and visiting your doctor on a regular basis.  

If you've been exposed to HIV, you should take post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Contact your doctor or go to the emergency room if you fear you've been exposed to sex, needles, or at work. Taking PEP as soon as possible, ideally within the first 72 hours, will drastically minimize your chances of contracting HIV. You must take the drug for a total of 28 days.  

Every time you have sex, use a new condom. Every time you have anal or vaginal intercourse, use a fresh condom. Use a new condom every time you have anal or vaginal intercourse.Condoms can be weakened and broken by oil-based lubricants. 

Only if you do not already have an HIV infection will your doctor give these medications for HIV prevention. Before you start taking PrEP, you'll need an HIV test, and then every three months after that for the rest of your life. Before taking Truvada, your doctor will evaluate your kidney function and repeat the test every six months.  

You must take the medications on a daily basis. They won't protect you from other STIs, so you'll still need to be careful with your sex. Before starting treatment for hepatitis B, you should be assessed by an infectious disease or liver expert.  

If you have HIV, tell your sexual partners. It's critical to inform everyone of your current and previous sexual partners that you have HIV. They'll have to be put to the test.  

Make sure you're using a fresh needle. If you inject drugs with a needle, make sure it's sanitary and don't share it. Benefit from needle-exchange initiatives.

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