What is HIV?

It's a virus that affects the immune system and is transmitted from one person to another through certain body fluids. HIV refers to human immunodeficiency virus. AIDS, which stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, refers to a range of infections and illness which result from the weakened immune system caused by HIV.

1.How HIV is spread

HIV is transmitted through certain body fluids (blood, semen, pre-seminal liquid, breast milk, rectal fluid, and vaginal fluid). While most people get or transmit HIV through sexual behavior or needle sharing, it's possible to get infected if these fluids get in contact with the mucous membrane or damaged body tissue.

2. Initial symptoms

A couple of weeks after getting infected, individuals may experience an influenza-like illness including a headache, fever, rash, or a sore throat. The symptoms vary depending on the stage of infection. Some people don't get symptoms of early infection at all. In order to understand the symptoms of the disease, let's take a look at what HIV does to the body.

What does HIV do to the body?

1. It attacks the immune system

• How HIV affects the immune system
  The Human Immunodeficiency Virus targets the immune system and weakens people's defenses against infections and some types of cancer. It destroys and impairs the function of immune cells, especially a type of cell called CD4+. As the virus replicates inside CD4+, it damages and kills these cells, while producing more virus. Infected individuals progressively become immunodeficient and susceptible to a wide range of infections, cancers, and other diseases that people with healthy immune systems can fight off.
  
  

• Symptoms are related to CD4+ levels
  The symptoms of HIV vary depending on the stage of infection. As the virus advances and your CD4+ count decreases, individuals start feeling fatigue, shortness of breath, cough, fever, weight loss, and diarrhea.
  
  

• AIDS
  AIDS, which stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, is the final stage of HIV. It can take 2-15 years to develop, depending on the individual. At this stage, the number of CD4+ cells falls very low, the immune system is severely weakened, and individuals have a great risk of contracting opportunistic infections. AIDS is defined by the development of certain cancers, infections, or other severe clinical manifestations.

2. Impacts on other body organs

The virus eventually starts impacting on other body systems, as well. Understand below how HIV affects the body.

• Respiratory system
  Due to a weakened immune system, respiratory infections are not only easily acquired, but more dangerous and often cause high fever and trouble breathing. These infections tend to last longer and are harder to resolve. Lung cancer is also more prevalent in people with HIV compared to people without it.
  
  

• Digestive system
  HIV makes the body predisposed to infections such as oral thrush in the mouth and esophagus, causing difficulty eating, and individuals experience loss of appetite and weight loss. Diseases that are transmitted through food are easily developed, causing diarrhea or parasite infections.
  
  

• Central nervous system
  While the link between HIV and central nervous system affection is not completely understood, this is one of the most compromised systems, especially at later stages of the disease. HIV and AIDS can cause HIV-associated dementia or AIDS dementia complex. It also affects the nerves causing pain, weakness, and difficulty walking. HIV-related stigma causes a lot of stress, which could develop into anxiety or depression in the patient.
  
  

• Integumentary system
  The disease signs resonate on the patient's skin. Individuals may develop skin conditions such as eczema, rashes, shingles, dermatitis, and even skin cancer. Viral skin infections such as herpes and molluscum contagiosum are easily acquired. Kaposi sarcoma, blood vessel wall cancer, is a common infection in HIV patients and develops as red or dark purple lesions on the mouth and skin.
  
  

• Urinary system
  HIV infection can cause kidney problems that may become serious. HIV-associated nephropathy causes kidney inflammation and damage. Antiretroviral medications have been well studied to affect the kidney function, and recurrent kidney tests should be performed during treatment.

Don't catch the virus

Individuals can reduce the risk of HIV infection by limiting exposure to risk factors. Key approaches to HIV prevention include:

1. Condom use

HIV is a sexually transmitted infection and correct use of a condom during vaginal and anal penetration can protect against the disease. Condoms have an 85% protective effect.

2. Abstain from risky sexual behavior

Refrain from multiple sexual partners and unknown status of your sex buddy.

3. Sterile injection equipment

People who use intravenous drugs can be at a greater risk of getting infected. Never share needles and syringes with other people, and if you are having a procedure that uses needles, make sure the equipment is new and sterile.

4. Male circumcision

There's evidence that male circumcision can help reduce a man's risk of getting HIV infection as it forms a barrier to HIV uptake into the mucosa cells.

5. Antiretroviral drug prevention

An HIV-positive person who adheres to an effective treatment regimen has only a 96% risk of transmitting the virus to their uninfected sexual partner. It's important to tell your partner your HIV-status and get appropriate treatment before having sex. If you have HIV and become pregnant, visit a doctor to get antiretroviral treatment immediately and prevent infecting the future child.

Now you know better!

HIV knowledge has evolved during the last decade. Scientists understand better what HIV does to the body and how to prevent and treat it adequately. However, the incidence of the disease has been increasing in the last years. It's everyone's responsibility to be aware of HIV, reduce stigma, prevent transmission, and take good care of our health.