HIV- Human Immunodeficiency Disease

Overview

HIV- also referred as the human immunodeficiency disease, is a virus that attack cells of an individual’s immune system, and overtime makes the immune system weak, hence it loses its capability to fight against ordinary diseases, which in return increases the risk of catching up with infections and tumours. An individual is likely to develop AIDS in nearly 8 to 10 years, if HIV is left untreated. AIDS is considered as the final stage of HIV. This chronic disease can cause complications. Read to know more.

Symptoms for HIV

HIV symptoms can vary among individuals. The initial symptoms are Fever, sickness which is same as viral infections. Symptoms include:

• Fever
• Sore throat
• fatigue
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Headache
• Skin rash
• Pneumonia
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Weight loss
• Weakness
• Skin rashes or bumps
• Night sweats
• Diarrhoea

Every person might experience the same symptoms, many individuals might go through some completely different set of symptoms. Since, the symptoms vary from person- to- person, many people can start noticing these symptoms at earliest stages and most of them aren’t even aware about any of this.

How would you know that you caught up with HIV?

It’s important to look out for potential symptoms. It’s crucial to note that HIV symptoms vary from person- to- person and many individuals may not experience these symptoms at all. The common symptoms of detection include:

• Flu like symptoms like: fever, fatigue, sore throat, muscle and joint aches
• Headache
• Night Sweats
• Skin Rash
• Digestive Issues

Early detection is crucial for effective management. If you are tested positive for HIV, early diagnosis is required for immediate care and treatment.

Prevention for HIV

Prevention in such chronic diseases is always recommended. Certain preventive measures that reduces the risk of transmission includes:

• Avoid sharing needles: Individuals injecting drugs should use clean needles and syringes to reduce the risk of HIV transmission through shared needles.

• PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis): PEP can reduce the risk of HIV. It is a short- time course of antiretroviral drugs taken after getting in contact with HIV. It is recommended to start this treatment to prevent the infection.

• PrEP (Pre- exposure prophylaxis): PrEP reduces the risk of infection and the individuals affected with HIV should take a daily oral medication for positive results.

• Safe sex practices: The most common method of transmission is sex practices. Preventive contraceptives must be used to prevent the infection and it’ll also reduce the risk of transmission.

• Education and awareness: Promoting education on sexual health is necessary for this generation as they should know and make their decisions of sexual behaviour wisely and must understand the importance of HIV prevention methods.

Causes for HIV

HIV is normally transmitted through these following reasons:

• Sexual contact
• Coming into contact with infected blood
• Sharing needles or syringes
• Childbirth
• During pregnancy from mother to child
• Breastfeeding
• Sharing of personal items

These are the possible causes of HIV. In simple terms, HIV is transmitted through bodily fluids. It’s important to focus on the fact that HIV is never transmitted through casual contact and there’s no risk chronic diseases such as COVID- 19 or flu.

How HIV become AIDS?

HIV doesn’t turn into AIDS directly, but AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection. This progression takes several years and it is not necessary that an individual affected with HIV will develop AIDS. It’s important to focus on the fact that the development of AIDS varies majorly among the individuals, depending on various factors like health, genetics etc. ART also referred as Antiretroviral Treatment has reduced the risk of AIDS development from HIV. When AIDS come into direct contact with a human body, the immune system of the infected person gets severely damaged. An individual will develop unusual diseases and symptoms of AIDS includes:

• Chills
• Recurring fever
• Increased sweat production
• Weight loss
• Constant weaknesS
• Chronic diarrhoea
• White spots on tongue or in mouth
• Skin rashes

Note: With early intervention, diagnosis and proper planned treatment, an individual can live a healthy and most importantly a long life without thinking about the risk of acquiring AIDS. By adopting fixed medication schedule, regular check-ups, a little shift in lifestyle and by following a healthy diet, an individual can manage and control HIV and can prevent the chances of progression of HIV to AIDS in future.

Types

It’s necessary for an individual to know what type of HIV he/ she falls under. There are various types of HIVs, but the most common type is allergic HIV, and studies suggest more than 90% of people infected with HIV, catch HIV-1 infection. While it can become a part of your health at any stage but knowing what type of HIV has caught you up is essential. Types of HIV includes:

HIV- 1: The most common and widespread type of HIV. Majorly responsible for all the HIV infected patients worldwide. It comes with multiple subtypes and groups within itself and has its own genetic characteristics. The most common subtypes have nine named strains: A, B, C, D, F, G, H, J and K. Common strain is C.

HIV-2: This type is HIV is not very common and is primarily found outside India. It’s not easy to transmit unlike HIV-1.

Note: Tests and early intervention are recommended in both types of HIV.

The determination of the types is necessary for doctors to prescribe suitable medications to the individuals. The customization of the treatments is the right approach and the identification of triggers will be the best information for the individuals, so that they can stay away from irritants to prevent any attacks or exacerbation. Severity of HIV must be kept under immediate consideration to provide effective treatment for the betterment of an individual.

Tests and Diagnosis for HIV

To understand what your body is trying to tell you, doctors will run certain tests to diagnose what the actual problem is. Your current symptoms will make an easy way for them to identify the problem. Following are the possible outcomes to diagnose HIV:

Antigen and Antibody tests: An antigen test for HIC is a type of test where the blood is drawn directly from the vein. Antigens are substances that are usually identified in the blood within few weeks of getting into direct contact with an HIV infected individual. These antibodies are directly produced by the immune system of an individual. It can majorly take 2 to 6 weeks to for the test to become positive

Antibody tests: This kind of test especially looks for antibodies in the saliva of the infected individual. The rapid tests, including self-test performed at home are antibody tests. It can take up to 3 to 12 weeks after you’re in direct contact to become positive in antibody test. Kinds of antibody test done at home includes: Ora quick HIV test and home access HIV-1 test system.

Nucleic acid tests (NATs): This test can detect the virus itself by looking for the genetic material. This expensive test is not meant for general screening but is for the people who have early symptoms of HIV. This test is basically performed in early stages of infection and it doesn’t look for antibodies but searches virus itself. It usually takes 5 to 21 days for HIV to be detected in the blood.

Doctors prescribe various medications for individuals as well; they are supposed to undergo tests associated with HIV for accurate reading and treat accordingly if an individual is tested positive for HIV.

Tests and Treatments for HIV

Since, no specific cure has been discovered yet for HIV. However, there are medications that can control and prevent further risks and complications of HIV. Treatment includes:

Antiretroviral Therapy (ART): It is a combination of two or more medications. These medications will eventually lower the risk of spreading virus in the blood so that immune system ca maintain a pace and can recover quickly. Affected individual must take the medication timely without missing it any doses. ART dosage helps in:

• Reducing the risk of getting an infection
• Reduces the chances of transmitting the virus to others
• Keep your immune system strong

HIV therapies might get painful and challenging at times, it’s important to stay in regular touch with your doctor for guidance and help.

FAQs

Q1. Can you get HIV from sharing food or utensils?
A1. No, HIV is never transmitted from through sharing food and utensils. It gets transmitted through specific body fluids.

Q2. Can you donate blood if you have HIV?
A2. No, HIV infected can’t give blood or donate blood for the safety and security of both the patient and infected well- being.

Q3. Can HIV be cured?
A3. No, there is no such cure deciphered for HIV. However, it can be controlled through various medication and treatment.

Q4. How often should I get tested for HIV?
A4. The frequency of testing basically depends on the risk factors. People at higher risk must get themselves tested frequently.

Q5. Can pets transmit HIV?
A5. No, pets can’t transmit HIV, the virus is generally specific to humans and not animals.

Q6. Can I catch HIV by shaking hands, hugging or kissing?
A6. No, HIV is not transmitted through casual contact like hugging, shaking hands and HIV can’t be transmitted through saliva as well.