HIV is an abbreviation which stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection. As the name implies, it is a viral infection. HIV usually eventually leads to AIDS, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. HIV and AIDS slowly destroy the body’s immune system, making it nearly impossible for the body to fight infection. This means that a patient inflicted with HIV or AIDS may become terminally ill from the common cold or other seemingly harmless virus. HIV is considered a huge health threat and in some terms is considered a social problem. HIV is classified as a sexually transmitted disease.
A person carrying and spreading the HIV virus may have no symptoms for a very long time. Testing is suggested for anyone who has had unprotected sexual intercourse, was the victim of rape, or has had a blood transfusion prior to 1990, or for some reason has reason to believe they have been exposed to the HIV virus. Some symptoms may eventually appear, but it is possible to spread the HIV virus before symptoms such as headaches, diarrhea, sore throat, mouth sores, muscle stiffness, muscle aches, fever, fatigue, rash, swollen lymph glands, and frequent vaginal infections appear.
HIV is caused by a virus which medical science has been able to successfully slow, but has yet been able to successfully cease the virus from spreading or from contributing to illness within the patient. The HIV virus is considered deadly, although there are some patients who either progress to AIDS either very slowly or never at all. The HIV virus can only be spread through specific modes, however a patient who is asymptomatic can still spread the disease.
Risk factors for HIV include unprotected sexual activity, the use of shared intravenous drug needles, blood transfusions especially before 1990, and any other contact that involves the exchange of bodily fluids including assisting an injured individual whose bodily fluids enter the body through the mouth, a cut, or other open wound. Homosexuality is not a risk factor. The medical community is considered at risk due to the high instances of dealing with bodily fluids as well as the accidental sticking with infected needles.
Diagnosing HIV involves a blood test. Most people who are aware of a previous exposure should be tested every six months. While in most cases it takes three months for an HIV test to show up as positive after exposure, some people have carried HIV for as long as ten years without symptoms. Testing every six months after exposure is recommended as a significant precautionary method. A blood test may show an HIV antibody and blood differentials may show abnormalities.
Complications from untreated or undiagnosed HIV can include exposing others to the virus, becoming chronically and increasingly ill, and open the body up to opportunistic infection such as tuberculosis, toxoplasmosis, Cryptococcus, salmonella infection of the blood, cancers, and HIV dementia, as well as chronic wasting from HIV infection. HIV is considered to be fatal usually within ten years of contracting the disease, although life spans are significantly increasing with proper treatment.
A combination of antiviral medications is the only treatment available at this time. It is vital that patients take their medications on time and as scheduled to avoid the virus becoming resistant to the medication. Unfortunately, the medication is very expensive and many patients without health insurance can not afford these medications which can ultimately add time and quality to their life.
Self care is vital when diagnosed with HIV. Proper diet and good nutrition as well as ample rest when needed can help the body fight off infection. Often an HIV patient will be prescribed antibiotics during the winter months as well as receive periodic check ups. Most physicians recommend the patient receives an annual flu shot and avoids situations where they are likely to contract an illness. Support groups and family support can make a huge difference in the overall health of an HIV patient. Depression can set in and this can affect the overall health of the HIV patient. It is important that the HIV patient continue to participate in life as much as possible after being diagnosed with HIV. Good health begins with diet, attitude, and the ability to follow physician instructions.
Hiv videos
HIV Replication and Life Cycle
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Truth about AIDS - facts about HIV - virus spread globally
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Ten More Myths About HIV/AIDS
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HIV Structure
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How the HIV virus enters the cell
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HIV Resistance
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HIV-MODE OF ACTION OF TRIPANOVIRUS
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HIV Replication 3D Animation
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HIV virus
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Find out more by viewing the Human Anatomy page:
Endocrine system
Female reproductive system
Male Reproductive System
Medication commonly used for these disease:
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Videx is an antiviral medication used to help treat patients who are HIV positive. It is aimed at preventing the HIV virus from reproducing while in the body. Videx is not a cure for HIV, and precautionary behaviors are still necessary even while undergoi more...
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Viramune is often generically prescribed as nevirapine, and is commonly used in the treatment of HIV. Viramune is an antiviral that attempts to prohibit the HIV virus from reproducing in the body. Viramune is not a cure for HIV and it is still possible to more...
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Sustiva is often generically prescribed as efavirenz and is commonly used to treat HIV and AIDS. Sustiva is not a cure for either HIV or AIDS. Sustiva tries to prevent the HIV virus from growing within the body. more...
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Zerit is generically prescribed as stavudine and is commonly used to inhibit the HIV virus from reproducing in the body of an HIV positive patient. Zerit is not a cure for HIV and the virus can still be passed from person to person even with drug t more...
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Ziagen is part of the family of HIV medications that are used in conjunction with each other to slow or stop the HIV virus from reproducing within the body. Often generically prescribed as abacavir sulfate, it is not used without other medications to slow more...
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Zithromax, which is generically prescribed as azithromycin, is commonly used to treat bacterial infections in the body, such as skin infections, urinary tract infections, tooth infections, gonorrhea, and other bacterial infections. Zithromax is a macrolide more...
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Azithromycin is an antibiotic that falls under the macrolide type. It is a prescription orally ingested drug. One of the world’s highest-selling medicines, Azithromycin is used for curing infections caused by bacteria, such as certain Sexually Transmitted more...
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Didanosine is classified by the medical community as a reverse transcriptase inhibitor. Although it sounds complicated all it means is that it is a drug that works against the HIV virus. It inhibits the enzyme that the HIV virus needs to reproduce, and it more...
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Approved by the United States’ Food and Drug Administration on September 21, 1998, Efavirenz is only the fourteenth approved retroviral drug.
Efavirenz is a potent drug used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1. However, Efavirenz can never more...
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Abacavir sulfate is the generic name for a drug that also goes by the brand name Ziagen. It is given in tablets and in an oral solution. It is an antiretroviral agent, called a nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitor, or NRTI, used to treat th more...
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