What is HIV?

What is HIV?
HIV stands for: Human Immunodeficiency VirusHIV is a virus. Viruses such as HIV can not grow or reproduce on their own, they must infect a living cell to replicate (ie, make new copies of themselves). The human immune system often finds and kills viruses fairly quickly. However, HIV attacks the immune system itself, ie who is responsible for getting rid of the virus.What is the connection between HIV and AIDS?The HIV virus causes AIDS development by damaging the cells of the immune system until it can no longer fight off other infections that are often avoidable.It takes an average period of 10 years for someone infected with HIV develop AIDS.However, this average is based on feeding the infected person in reasonable shape. More precisely, someone who has problems of malnutrition may develop AIDS more quickly.How is HIV?Antiretroviral drugs reduce levels of HIV in the body, so that the immune system can recover and function effectively. Antiretroviral drugs allow HIV-positive many people enjoy a long and healthy life.The start of antiretroviral therapy to treat HIV infection involves a compromise. That is, the medications should be taken every day for the rest of the life of the infected. Following the treatment is especially important because it increases the risk of drug resistance. Side effects of HIV drugs can cause treatment compliance more difficult. In addition, these drugs tend to be very strong. There are ways to reduce the impact of these side effects, but sometimes it is necessary to abandon the previous treatment and start an alternative treatment.More than 20 antiretroviral drugs are approved for the treatment of this infection in the United States and Europe, and new drugs currently under study.How is HIV transmitted?HIV is found in blood and sexual fluids of an infected person and in breast milk from an infected mother. HIV transmission occurs when sufficient amounts of these fluids enters the bloodstream of another person.There are several ways in which a person can get HIV by:• Unprotected sex with an infected person. The practice of unprotected sex carries the risk of infection.• Contact with the blood of an infected person. If a sufficient amount of blood that belongs to an infection enters the body of another person, the virus can be transmitted.• Use of infected blood products. A few years ago, many people became infected with HIV through the use of blood transfusions and blood products were contaminated with the virus. In various parts of the world, this is no longer a significant risk, as blood donations are scanned for the HIV virus.• Injectable Drugs. HIV can be transmitted when using equipment that has been previously used by infected people. In many parts of the world, because it is illegal to possess, shared injecting equipment and syringes.From mother to child. HIV can be transmitted from an infected mother to her child during pregnancy, childbirth and breast feedingHIV presents symptomsSome people experience a kind of flu, rash or swollen lymph nodes for a short period after infection. However, they are also common symptoms of minor illnesses and do not necessarily imply that the person is infected.Often people infected with HIV have no symptoms. It is important to remember that a person with HIV can transmit the virus immediately after infection, even if you feel healthy. It is not possible to say at a glance that a person is infected with HIV.