HIV/AIDS: Know Causes, Symptoms and Prevention (World AIDS Day 2020)

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HIV/AIDS: Know Causes, Symptoms and Prevention (World AIDS Day 2020)

Last Updated : 01 Dec 2020 02:27:34 AM IST

HIV/AIDS

World AIDS Day is observed on every 1st December to create awareness. AIDS is defined as an acquired immune deficiency syndrome also at times known as HIV. AIDS is a chronic condition that develops as a consequence of HIV infection which has annihilated the immune system of a person specifically the CD4 cells.

HIV virus attacks healthy white blood cells, which is our body’s natural defense system against illness. Any infected person who has HIV, and isn’t taking the right treatment, will find it difficult to fight off health problems and diseases.

What causes HIV AIDS?

Usually infected blood, semen or vaginal fluids need to move in your body for you to be infected with the virus. This can occur in several ways:

-By having sex with an infected person.

-During blood transfusions: At times the blood being donated is already affected by the virus and is carried onto another person receiving the blood.

-Hospitals and blood banks now screen the blood supply for HIV antibodies, so this risk is little.

-Using infected needles: Sharing of contaminated needles and syringes puts you at high risk of HIV and other infectious diseases, such as hepatitis.

-During pregnancy and breast-feeding: Pregnant mothers infected with the virus have a chance of infecting their babies, although getting the treatment for the same during pregnancy can significantly lower the risk to infect the new born.

Symptoms of AIDS

Symptoms of AIDS are caused by the deterioration of the immune system and the decline of CD4+ T cells, which are the immune system's key infection fighters. As soon as HIV enters the body, it begins to destroy these cells. Some common symptoms include:

-Diarrhea that lasts for more than a week.

Dry cough.

-Memory loss, depression and neurological disorders

Pneumonia.

-Profound, unexplained fatigue.

-Rapid weight loss.

-Recurring fever or profuse night sweats.

-Red, brown, pink or purplish blotches on or under the skin or inside the mouth, nose or eyelids.

-Swollen lymph glands in the armpits, groin or neck.

-White spots or unusual blemishes on the tongue, in the mouth, or in the throat.

-Infections Associated with AIDS

Treatment for HIV/AIDS

Although there is no definite cure for this virus, but with the timely and accurate treatment and support, people who are HIV positive, are able to control the situation. The medicine used to treat HIV is called antiretroviral therapy or ART. In order to live a better life it is especially important to commit to taking the treatment seriously. If people with HIV take ART as prescribed, their viral load (amount of HIV in their blood) can become undetectable. If it stays undetectable, they can live long, healthy lives and have effectively no risk of transmitting HIV to an HIV-negative partner through sex.