HIV and AIDS
HIV is a virus that attacks the body’s white blood cells. White blood cells circulate around the body to detect infection and faults in other cells.
HIV targets and infiltrates CD4 cells, a type of T cell. The virus uses these cells to create more copies of the virus.
In doing so, HIV destroys the cells and reduces the body’s ability to combat other infections and diseases. This increases the risk and severity of opportunistic infections and some types of cancer.
HIV is spread from the body fluids of an infected person, including blood, breast milk, semen and vaginal fluids. It is not spread by kisses, hugs or sharing food. It can also spread from a mother to her baby.
HIV that is left untreated typically develops in threeTrusted Source stages:
Stage 1, acute infection: This is when people have large amounts of HIV in the blood and the body begins producing antibodies to try and kill the virus. People typically develop flu-like symptoms 2–4 weeksTrusted Source after contracting HIV, which may last a few weeks. This stage is when HIV is the most transmissible to other people.
Stage 2, chronic infection: HIV is still active and reproducing in the body but at a slower rate. Some people may not have symptoms, but the virus is still transmissible. This stage may last 10 years or more without treatment. If treatment begins, the virus may never progress to stage 3.
Stage 3 HIV: This is the most advanced stage of HIV, also known as AIDS. It happens when the body can no longer fight off the infection. The survival rate is around 3 yearsTrusted Source without treatment.
Transmission:
HIV can be transmitted via the exchange of a variety of body fluids from people living with HIV, such as blood, breast milk, semen and vaginal secretions. HIV can also be transmitted during pregnancy and delivery to the child. People cannot become infected through ordinary day-to-day contact such as kissing, hugging, shaking hands, or sharing personal objects, food or water.
It is important to note that people with HIV who are taking ART and have an undetectable viral load do not transmit HIV to their sexual partners. Early access to ART and support to remain on treatment is therefore critical not only to improve the health of people with HIV but also to prevent HIV transmission.
Symptoms:
The symptoms of HIV vary depending on the stage of infection.
The disease spreads more easily in the first few months after a person is infected, but many are unaware of their status until the later stages. In the first few weeks after being infected people may not experience symptoms. Others may have an influenza-like illness including:
- fever
- headache
- rash
- sore throat
The infection progressively weakens the immune system. This can cause other signs and symptoms:
- swollen lymph nodes
- weight loss
- fever
- diarrhoea
- cough
Without treatment, people with HIV infection can also develop severe illnesses:
- tuberculosis (TB)
- cryptococcal meningitis
- severe bacterial infections
- cancers such as lymphomas and Kaposi’s sarcoma
HIV causes other infections to get worse, such as hepatitis C, hepatitis B and mpox.
Diagnosis:
Doctors use three types Trusted Source of tests to detect and diagnose HIV.
There is a time period between exposure to HIV and when a test can detect it. This is known as the window periodTrusted Source. The period can vary between people and the type of test used to detect it.
The three types of tests are:
Nucleic acid test (NAT): This blood test can determine how much virus is in a person’s blood. It can detect HIV the soonest after exposure, between 10 and 33 daysTrusted Source.
Antigen/antibody tests: These test for antigens and antibodies by drawing blood from a vein or pricking a finger. They may detect HIV in a blood sample 18–90 daysTrusted Source after exposure.
Rapid and self-tests: These test for antibodies in a person’s oral fluids or blood. They can detect HIV antibodies 23–90 daysTrusted Source after exposure.
Healthcare professionals can test a person’s blood for HIV antibodies. Alternatively, people can use home testing kits.
Anyone who thinks they may be at risk of contracting HIV can have a rapid test. If the test results are negative, the test provider usually recommends having another test within a few weeks.
If a person thinks they have had exposure to HIV within the past 72 hoursTrusted Source, they should talk with a healthcare professional about postexposure prophylaxis (PEP)Trusted Source, a preventive treatment.
You can book your test from our website https://mlsdiagnostics.com/
Prevention:
HIV is a preventable disease.
Reduce the risk of HIV infection by:
- using a male or female condom during sex
- being tested for HIV and sexually transmitted infections
- having a voluntary medical male circumcision
- using harm reduction services for people who inject and use drugs.
Doctors may suggest medicines and medical devices to help prevent HIV, including:
- antiretroviral drugs (ARVs), including oral PrEP and long acting products
- dapivirine vaginal rings
- injectable long acting cabotegravir
- ARVs can also be used to prevent mothers from passing HIV to their children
People taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) and who have no evidence of virus in the blood will not pass HIV to their sexual partners. Access to testing and ART is an important part of preventing HIV.
Treatment:
There is currently no cure for HIV. However, treatments may help:
stop HIV from progressing
reduce the risk of transmissions
extend a person’s life expectancy
improve a person’s quality of life
Many people who take HIV treatments live long, healthy lives.
Treatments are lifelong, but medications are becoming increasingly effective and may require a person only taking one pill per day.https://blogs.mlsdiagnostics.com/