Description about HIV/AIDS

Questions and answers on the basics fact of HIV/AIDS

Question 1: What is HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS
Also called: human immunodeficiency virus, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

HIV causes AIDS and interferes with the body's ability to fight infections.
The virus can be transmitted through contact with infected blood, semen or vaginal fluids.

What are the epidemiology of the HIV/AIDS
Common
More than 100 thousand cases per year (Nigeria)
Spreads by sexual contact
Treatment can help, but this condition can't be cured
Chronic: can last for years or be lifelong
Requires a medical diagnosis
Lab tests or imaging always required

HOW DOES IT SPREAD?
By blood products (unclean needles or unscreened blood).
By having unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
By mother to baby by pregnancy, labor, or nursing.

What are the Sign and Symptoms
Symptoms
Requires a medical diagnosis
Within a few weeks of HIV infection, flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat and fatigue can occur. Then the disease is usually asymptomatic until it progresses to AIDS. AIDS symptoms include weight loss, fever or night sweats, fatigue and recurrent infections.

How can a HIV patients be assured?

Talk. Be available to have open, honest conversations about HIV. ...
Listen. Being diagnosed with HIV is life-changing news. ...
Learn. ...
Encourage treatment. ...
Support medication adherence. ...
Get support.

What are the preventive measures of the Disease?

Get tested for HIV. ...
Choose less risky sexual behaviors. ...
Use condoms every time you have sex. ...
Limit your number of sexual partners. ...
Get tested and treated for STDs. ...
Talk to your health care provider about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). ...
Do not inject drugs.

Can a HIV patients be treated ?

Currently, there's no cure for HIV / AIDS . Once you have the infection, your body can't get rid of it. However, there are many medications that can control HIV and prevent complications. These medications are called antiretroviral