AIDS a deadly disease

“It’s not the end it’s a start”

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It is the virus that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS, if not treated. Unlike some other viruses, the human body can’t get rid of HIV completely, even with treatment. So once you get HIV, you have it for life.

There is no cure for People who are suffering from AIDS. A sad reality. Requires a medical diagnosis Within a few weeks of HIV infection, flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat and fatigue can occur. Then the disease is usually asymptomatic until it progresses to AIDS. AIDS symptoms include weight loss, fever or night sweats, fatigue and recurrent infections.

The symptoms of HIV can differ from person-to-person and some people may not get any symptoms at all for many years. Without treatment, the virus will get worse over time and damage your immune system. There are three broad stages of HIV infection, with different possible effects.

Stage 1: Acute primary infection

Around one to four weeks after becoming infected with HIV, some people will experience symptoms that can feel a lot like flu. This may not last long (a week or two) and you may only get some of the flu symptoms – or none at all. Experiencing these symptoms alone is not a reliable way of diagnosing HIV. You should always visit your doctor if you are worried you have been at risk of HIV infection, even if you don’t feel unwell or have any of the following symptoms. They can then arrange for you to have an HIV test. Symptoms can include: • fever (raised temperature) • body rash • sore throat • swollen glands • headache • upset stomach • joint aches and pains • muscle pain. These symptoms can happen because your body is reacting to the HIV virus. Cells that are infected with HIV are circulating throughout your blood system. Your immune system, in response, tries to attack the virus by producing HIV antibodies. This process is called seroconversion. Timing varies but it can take up to a few months to complete. It may be too early to get an accurate HIV test result at this stage (depending on the type of HIV test, it can take anything from a few weeks to a few months for HIV to show up), but the levels of virus in your blood system are very high at this stage. Condoms are the best way way to protect yourself from HIV when having sex. Using a condom is especially important if you think you have been exposed to HIV.

Stage 2: The asymptomatic stage

Once the seroconversion stage is over, many people start to feel better. In fact, the HIV virus may not reveal any other symptoms for up to 10 or even 15 years (depending on age, background and overall health). However, the virus will still be active, infecting new cells and making copies of itself. Over time this will cause a lot of damage to your immune system.

Stage 3: Symptomatic HIV infection

By the third stage of HIV infection there has been a lot of damage to your immune system. At this point, you are more likely to get serious infections or bacterial and fungal diseases that you would otherwise be able to fight off. These infections are referred to as ‘opportunistic infections’.

Symptoms that you may have during this time can include: • weight loss • chronic diarrhoea • night sweats • a fever • a persistent cough • mouth and skin problems • regular infections • serious illnesses or diseases.

HIV is a virus that enters your body and begins to destroy T cells. You need T cells in order to fight infections. HIV spreads through bodily fluids that include: • blood • semen • vaginal and rectal fluids • breast milk The first few weeks after infection is called the acute infection stage. During this time the virus rapidly reproduces. Your immune system responds by producing HIV antibodies. Many people experience temporary flu-like symptoms during this stage. Even without symptoms, HIV is highly contagious during this time.

After the first month or so, HIV enters the clinical latency stage. This stage can last from a few years to a few decades. Progression can be slowed with antiretroviral therapy. Some people have symptoms. Many people do not, but it’s still contagious. As the virus progresses, you’re left with fewer T cells. This makes you more susceptible to disease, infection, and infection-related cancers.

HIV is a lifetime condition with no cure. Medical care, including antiretroviral therapy, can help manage HIV and prevent AIDS. Without treatment, HIV is likely to advance to AIDS. At that point, the immune system is too weak to fight off life-threatening disease and infection. Untreated, life expectancy with AIDS is about three years.

It is estimated that 1.1 million Americans are currently living with HIV. And one in five don’t know it.