What is HIV
- HIV means ‘human immunodeficiency virus’. As with all other kinds of virus, HIV does not have an individual metabolism and, therefore, has to attack other living cells and use their metabolism to make copies of itself.
- Unfortunately, HIV attacks some of the cells that are vital to a healthy immune system, including the white blood cells known as T-helper cells or CD4 cells.
What is AIDS
- AIDS is a chronic, life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
- AIDS means ‘acquired immune deficiency syndrome’. AIDS is the later stages of an HIV infection.
- By damaging or destroying the cells of your immune system, HIV interferes with your body’s ability to effectively fight off viruses, bacteria and fungi that cause disease. This makes you more susceptible to certain types of cancers and to opportunistic infections your body would normally resist, such as pneumonia and meningitis.
Who is at risk?
HIV transcends all cultures, national borders and religions. Anyone of any age, race, sex or sexual orientation can be infected, but you’re at greatest risk of HIV/AIDS if you:
- Have unprotected sex with multiple partners. You’re at risk whether you’re heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual. Unprotected sex means having sex without using a new latex or polyurethane condom every time.
- Have unprotected sex with someone who is HIV-positive.
- Have another sexually transmitted disease, such as syphilis, herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea or bacterial vaginosis.
- Share needles during intravenous drug use.
- Have received a blood transfusion.
Screening and diagnosis
- For those of us who are HIV-infected, it is important to be tested as early as possible, so that our doctor can monitor our health and begin therapy when it will be most effective.
- For those of us who are not HIV-infected, being tested can help reduce anxiety and provide an opportunity to personalize our own HIV-prevention plan with a trained counselor.
- An HIV-Antibody test is a blood test that detects HIV-antibodies in your blood. The presence of HIV antibodies in the blood shows that the person has been infected.
- As the virus reproduces in the body, the antibodies become weaker and unable to fight the virus.
Self care
- If you do not have anyone to talk to about the situation, you might like to visit your GP, a counselor with relevant experience, or a psychologist. You should discuss your worries and the depression that often follows the discovery you are HIV-positive.
- You should be treated for all infections and illnesses that result from the HIV virus. If serious, you will have to be treated in the hospital.
- The earlier the diagnosis is made, the more effective the treatment. If you have been exposed to infection, you should undergo a test, even if you still feel healthy.
- Contact AIDS and HIV support groups.
- Make sure you eat a varied and healthy diet as the disease affects the digestive system.