Human Immunodeficiency Virus- HIV 1, commonly called AIDS, is a life-threatening disease the human immunodeficiency virus causes. Typically, the virus damages your defence mechanism (immunity) and weakens the ability of the body to prevent infections. A recent report showed that over 1.1 million cases of HIV infection affected the African region.
The condition is ST (sexually transmitted) and can easily be contracted via infected blood, used injections, and intercourse with an infected person. HIV has two stages:
Early symptoms of HIV infection are like the flu. The infected person can experience the following;
These symptoms usually appear within 2 to 4 weeks after exposure to the virus and can last for several weeks. Many people with HIV may not experience symptoms in the early stages of infection. In fact, the symptoms can take a year to develop. You need to get tested to know if you have Human Immunodeficiency Virus- HIV 1.
HIV-1 is a retrovirus (the virus that belongs to the RNA family) that infects cells of the human immune system, specifically CD4+ T cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells. The infected cells are completely damaged, gradually worsening the immune system’s ability to prevent diseases.
HIV-1 spreads via bodily fluids, including breast milk, blood, vaginal fluid, and semen. The following are the ways one can contract HIV:
Sexually transmitted conditions and high viral loads (amount of virus detected in an infected person) are common risk factors that may make HIV transmission more likely in many people. Male circumcision, condom use, and antiretroviral therapy can help reduce the risk.
Medical professionals conduct different tests to detect HIV 1 in the blood. Some of these tests are:
Your body naturally takes many months to produce enough antibodies to be detected by an antibody test. During this time, a person may be infected with HIV but test negative for the virus. This is known as the “window period.”
If left untreated, HIV-1 can progress to AIDS, which can cause severe health problems such as:
Early diagnosis and treatment of HIV can help slow the progression of the disease and improve a person’s overall health and quality of life.
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is one of the first lines of treatment for HIV-1. The treatment uses a variety of drugs to target different stages of the viral life cycle. ART can suppress the virus and slow or prevent damage to the immune system, allowing people living with HIV to live healthier lives.
ART doesn’t cure HIV, but it can effectively manage the virus and prevent the progression to AIDS.
Prevention of HIV-1 involves reducing the risk of transmission through behaviour and medical interventions. Some ways to prevent the spread of HIV include:
Taking precautions to avoid HIV risk is crucial. It may include everything from using condoms during sexual activity, and avoiding sharing needles, to getting tested regularly.