HIV/AIDS

By Nathaniel Garcia

What is HIV/AIDS?

HIV is a virus that, over time, attacks and weakens the Immune System. If a
person has HIV, its harder for them to fight off infections and diseases. There
are many different types of HIV, but the main 2 types are HIV-1 and HIV-2.
Hiv-1 is the most common type and is found worldwide, while HIV-2 is the
second most common type, and is found in some parts of Africa, India, and
Europe.

AIDS is a syndrome caused by HIV. Its when the person carrying HIVs immune
system is too weak to fight off even a few illnesses, and develops when the
virus is very advanced. AIDS is the last stage of HIV where the body can no
longer defend itself, and if left untreated, will lead to death.

HIV Pictures

Two patients dying of HIV/AIDS.

A patient with
HIV is being
treated in
Zambia, Africa:

Transmission of HIV/AIDS

AIDS cant be spread, since its the advanced form of HIV, but HIV
can be.

HIV can only be transmitted from an infected person to another

through direct contact of bodily fluids.

HIV can be transmitted by:

Blood products (unclean needles or unscreened blood).

A mother to her baby by pregnancy, labor, or nursing.

Having unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

Blood contains the highest concentration of the virus, followed by

semen, followed by vaginal fluids, followed by breast milk.

Diagnosis of HIV/AIDS

Blood tests are the most common way to diagnose HIV. The tests look for
antibodies to the virus that the body creates in an attempt to fight the virus.

People exposed to the virus should get tested immediately, although it can take
the body anywhere from six weeks to a year to develop antibodies of the virus.

Early testing is crucial. If you test positive for the virus, you and your doctor
will discuss and develop a treatment plan that can help fight HIV and ward off
complications. Early testing also can alert you to avoid high-risk behavior that
can spread the virus to others.

Most health care providers offer HIV testing, often with appropriate counseling.
Anonymous and free testing also is available. During testing, your doctor will
ask about your symptoms, medical history and risk factors, and perform a
physical examination.

Treatment

Currently, there is no permanent cure for HIV/AIDS. However, through

treatment its still possible to live a long, healthy life.

The main treatment is Antiretroviral treatment. It works by keeping the level

of HIV in your body low (your viral load). This lets your immune system recover
and stay strong. This treatment has to be taken every day of ones life.

The drugs used to treat HIV are called antiretroviral drugs. The treatment is
made up of three or more antiretroviral drugs taken together. Sometimes,
these drugs are combined into one pill.

There are lots of antiretroviral drugs, and they can be combined in different
ways. The World Health Organization has recommended a combination of
antiretroviral drugs for people starting HIV treatment:

TDF (tenofovir), 3TC (lamivudine) or FTC (emtricitabine), and EFV (efavirenz).

Prevention

Today, more tools than ever are available to prevent HIV. You can use
abstinence, limit your number of sexual partners, never share needles, and
use condoms correctly every time you have sex to prevent you from catching
the virus.

Facts:

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

HIV can only be contracted by humans. It isnt possible for any other species to
acquire the virus.

In 2013, there were 35 million [33.2 million37.2 million] people living with HIV.

Since the start of the epidemic around 78 million [71 million87 million] have
become infected with HIV and 39 million [35 million43 million] people have died
of AIDS-related illnesses.

HIV/AIDS remains one of the world's most significant public health challenges,
particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Progress has been made in preventing and eliminating mother-to-child

transmission and keeping mothers alive. In 2014, a little over 7 out of 10 pregnant
women living with HIV, or 1 070 000 women, received antiretrovirals.

Conclusion

Youtube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDVNdn0CvKI

Video is from November of 2015.

Sources:

http://www.avert.org/about-hiv-aids/what-hiv-aids

http://sfaf.org/hiv-info/basics/how-is-hiv-transmitted.html

https://www.ucsfhealth.org/conditions/hiv/diagnosis.html