HIV or Human immunodeficiency virus is a retrovirus that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a condition in humans in which the immune system begins to fail, leading to life-threatening opportunistic infections. Previous names for the virus include human T-lymphotropic virus-III (HTLV-III), lymphadenopathy-associated virus (LAV), or AIDS-associated retrovirus (ARV).
Infection with HIV occurs by the transfer of blood, semen, vaginal fluid, pre-ejaculate, or breast milk. Within these bodily fluids, HIV is present as both free virus particles and virus within infected immune cells. The four major routes of transmission are unprotected sexual intercourse, contaminated needles, and transmission from an infected mother to her baby at birth, or through breast milk. Screening of blood products for HIV in the developed world has largely eliminated transmission through blood transfusions or infected blood products in these countries.
Following initial infection, you may have no symptoms. The progression of disease varies widely among individuals. This state may last from a few months to more than 10 years.
During this period, the virus continues to multiply actively and infects and kills the cells of the immune system. The immune system allows us to fight against the bacteria, viruses, and other infectious causes. The virus destroys the cells that are the primary infection fighters, called CD4+ or T4 cells.
Once the immune system weakens, a person infected with HIV can develop the following symptomssuch as Lack of energy, Weight loss, Frequent fevers and sweats, Persistent or frequent yeast infections, Persistent skin rashes or flaky skin, Short-term memory loss, Mouth, genital or anal sores from herpes infections.
AIDS is the most advanced stage of HIV infection. The definition of AIDS includes all HIV-infected people who have fewer than 200 CD4+ cells per microliter of blood. The definition also includes 26 conditions that are common in advanced HIV disease but that rarely occur in healthy people. Most of these conditions are infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and other organisms. Opportunistic infections are common in people with AIDS. Nearly every organ system is affected. Some of the common symptoms include the following Cough and shortness of breath, Seizures and lack of coordination, Difficult or painful swallowing, Mental symptoms such as confusion and forgetfulness, Severe and persistent diarrhea, Fever, Vision loss, Nausea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, Weight loss and extreme fatigue, Severe headaches with neck stiffness, Coma.
Risk factors for human can infected HIV/AIDS
Anyone of any age, race, sex or sexual orientation, all cultures, national borders and religions, can be infected, but you're at greatest risk of HIV/AIDS if you:
# Have unprotected sex with multiple partners. You're at risk whether you're heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual. Unprotected sex means having sex without using a new latex or polyurethane condom every time.
# Have unprotected sex with someone who is HIV-positive.
# Have another sexually transmitted disease, such as syphilis, herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea or bacterial vaginosis.
# people who have sex with an HIV-infected partner or with anyone in the above groups if they do not always use a latex or polyurethane condom
# Share needles during intravenous drug use.
# Have hemophilia and received blood products between 1977 and April 1985 — the date standard testing for HIV began.
# Received a blood transfusion or blood products before 1985.
# sexually active homosexual men
# bisexual men and their partners
# IV drug users and their sexual partners
# heterosexual men and women with more than one sexual partner
PREVENTING MORE BETTER THAN CURING
