HIV and AIDS are serious worldwide issues. The best way to deal with the condition is to teach prevention techniques and offer adequate information regarding the virus. While there is currently no concrete cure for HIV/AIDS, there are many drugs available for treatment and AIDS research continues to break new ground in its search for a cure. It is one of the most rapidly growing conditions among minority groups.
About
HIV, human immunodeficiency virus, interferes with your body's immune system. It drastically decreases its ability to fight off diseases. As HIV progresses, it becomes AIDS, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, and the condition worsens. HIV can take years to develop into AIDS. During this time, the immune system continues to get extremely weak. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, there were 40 million individuals living with HIV/AIDS globally.
Symptoms
The specific symptoms of HIV depend on what stage the condition has progressed to. In the early stages, symptoms of HIV include fever, headache and sore throat. In the middle stages, symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, diarrhea, weight loss and fatigue. The final and late stage symptoms include extremely low lymphocyte counts, chronic diarrhea, white spots on the tongue and persistent headaches. Some individuals experience very strong symptoms while others may not show any signs of having the virus.
Causes
HIV can be transmitted in several different ways. While there are many misconceptions about the transmission of HIV, it can only be transmitted through blood, semen or vaginal secretion exchange. Some of the causes include vaginal, anal or oral sex with a partner that is infected with HIV; blood transfusions, although this is extremely rare due to today's thorough screening of donated blood; and needle and syringe sharing during drug use. Mother-to-child transmission is also common. A pregnant woman with HIV can transmit her virus to her baby if she is not on preventive medication.
Treatments
There is currently no cure for HIV/AIDS, but there are several drugs available that can enhance an individual's quality of life. The most common drugs administered are antiretroviral drugs, which eliminate the replication of HIV. Drugs can slow the progress of the virus but they aren't a means to completely eradicate the symptoms. The prognosis for a person living with HIV/AIDS has changed drastically since the first reported case. Today, provided that all the necessary steps are taken in treatments and health care, an individual can expect to live a fairly normal life span.
Prevention/Solution
Since there is no cure for HIV/AIDS, prevention education is vital. Important steps to take to reduce your risk of becoming infected include learning as much as you possibly can about HIV/AIDS, knowing the status of your sexual partner, being open about things, and getting tested. Also, it is important to get tested if you are sexually active, and to share the results with your partner. Practice safe sex.
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