MEDICAL SOLUTIONS ZONE

What is HIV - AIDS

What is HIV?

HIV is a virus that affects the natural functioning of the body's immune system. It attacks the 'T-cells' effectively crimpling the body's ability to fight off disease. There have been two major types of HIV identified as of this writing: HIV-1 and HIV-2.

What is AIDS?

AIDS refers to the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, a condition linked to HIV, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. A person is said to have contracted AIDS when he/she is infected with the HIV virus and his/her doctor determines that he/she has contracted one of several diseases indicating a significant breakdown in the immune system. These diseases include but are not limited to Tuberculosis, involuntary weight loss, Candidiasis, and PCP.

As of the end of 1999, it is estimated that over 34 million people are infected with HIV/AIDS worldwide. (Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS Report June 2000)

What is the difference between HIV and AIDS?

HIV is the infection which can lead to AIDS. People infected with HIV do not necessarily have AIDS, nor will they absolutely develop it. This discrepancy is because of HIV's incubation period, which varies from person to person. The incubation period is from the time of infection with HIV to the onset of AIDS. AIDS occurs because the immune system weakens trying to fight HIV, and other organisms can more freely infect the body with less resistance.

What are the symptoms of HIV/AIDS?

HIV infection may initially cause symptoms similar to mononucleosis such as high fever, night sweats and swollen glands. It should be said however that symptoms vary greatly from person to person. Some individuals infected with HIV may indeed experience no symptoms at all. The only reliable way to determine whether or not you are infected with HIV is to visit a clinic and have the appropriate tests done.

AIDS symptoms are characterized by profound and persistent fatigue; dyspnea (labored breathing); low grade persistent fever; night sweats; unexplained weight loss of more than ten pounds within less than sixty days; dry cough unrelated to smoking or flu; persistent diarrhea and/or bloody stools; ecchymoses, particularly upon limbs; anorexia; opportunistic infections; headaches; a burning sensation upon the posterior tongue and nausea and/or vomiting.

How is HIV contracted?

HIV is a virus which needs to be transferred from one body to another through direct contact, needles or transfusions of blood. The microbe can exist in semen or blood, and potentially saliva as well. The common means of infection are anal or vaginal intercourse, the sharing of needles (such as for drug use), and transmission from mother to fetus. Less common means are oral sex, sharing of sex toys and blood transfusions. Tests for HIV exist, but the virus may not show itself for 20-60 days after infection. Thus it is impossible to ever truly know if a partner is not infected.

How do I protect myself?

Fortunately, it is easy to protect yourself against HIV/AIDS. A person cannot be infected by HIV through the use of a shared toilet seat or towel, nor from shaking hands or hugging an infected person. Unsafe sex is the single largest means of infection, and is the only way contact between people (besides through needles or transfusions) can be considered risky. While this is true, millions of sexually active men and women continue to engage in unsafe sexual practices.

Abstaining from sex altogether is the single best way to protect against HIV/AIDS. For many, celibacy by choice is not an option, and therefore place themselves at some degree of risk. While not 100% effective, a latex condom is the best protection against HIV/AIDS and many other STDs when engaging in vaginal or anal sex. Protection from a latex condom can be enhanced when it is well lubricated, either with pretreated condoms or water-based lubricants. This is particularly important during anal sex in which is more susceptible to the tearing effects of friction. Lessening the friction against the lining of the anus means fewer cuts and lesions for transmission and also protects the integrity of the condom. Protection during oral-vaginal or oral-anal contact is possible through the use of dental dams, which are a latex barrier between the mouth and genitals/anus. Fellatio (oral sex on a man) can be made safer by using an unlubricated or flavored latex condom. The use of the 'pill', spermicides and other birth control methods do not offer protection from HIV infection.

If you are sharing needles, you can protect yourself against HIV/AIDS by cleaning the needles after every use with warm water and bleach. Popular wisdom recommends you flush the bleach-water mixture as far as the plunger will extend 3-4 times, then as many as 5 times with fresh water. However, it is strongly recommended that you do not share needles, as this is a highly infectious means of transmission of HIV.

What is the treatment for HIV/AIDS?

Currently there is no medically recognized cure for HIV/AIDS. The main strategy for treatment has been to attempt to strengthen the immune system so that it may better fight the disease. Please consult your physician about which treatments options would be best for you.