What causes people to become infected with AIDS?
AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which attacks the body's immune system. HIV is spread through contact with infected blood, semen, vaginal fluids, rectal fluids, and breast milk. It can be transmitted through sexual intercourse, sharing needles or other drug paraphernalia, receiving blood transfusions, or from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.
How does HIV work?
HIV attacks the body's immune system, specifically targeting a type of white blood cell called a CD4+ T cell. CD4+ T cells are essential for fighting off infections and protecting the body from disease. When HIV infects a CD4+ T cell, it uses the cell's machinery to make copies of itself. These copies can then infect other CD4+ T cells, leading to a cycle of infection and destruction.
Over time, HIV can weaken the immune system to the point where it can no longer effectively fight off infections. This can lead to the development of AIDS, which is the most advanced stage of HIV infection. AIDS is characterized by a number of opportunistic infections and cancers that can ultimately lead to death.
What are the symptoms of HIV?
The symptoms of HIV can vary depending on the stage of infection. In the early stages, people may experience flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. These symptoms usually go away within a few weeks.
As the infection progresses, people may develop more serious symptoms such as weight loss, night sweats, diarrhea, and fatigue. They may also develop opportunistic infections such as Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP), Kaposi's sarcoma, and cytomegalovirus (CMV).
How is HIV treated?
There is no cure for HIV, but there are effective treatments that can help people manage the infection and live longer, healthier lives. These treatments, known as antiretroviral therapy (ART), work by suppressing the virus and preventing it from damaging the immune system.
ART is typically taken as a combination of three or more drugs. These drugs target different stages of the HIV replication cycle, making it more difficult for the virus to develop resistance.
ART can significantly reduce the amount of virus in the body, which can help to improve immune function and prevent the development of opportunistic infections. It can also help to reduce the risk of HIV transmission to others.
How can HIV be prevented?
There are a number of ways to prevent HIV transmission, including:
Using condoms during sex
Not sharing needles or other drug paraphernalia
Getting tested for HIV regularly
Talking to your doctor about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) or post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
PrEP is a medication that can be taken by people who are at high risk of HIV infection to prevent them from becoming infected. PEP is a medication that can be taken by people who have been exposed to HIV to prevent them from becoming infected.
What is the outlook for people with HIV?
The outlook for people with HIV has improved significantly over the past few decades, thanks to the development of effective treatments. With proper medical care, people with HIV can live long, healthy lives.
However, HIV is still a serious infection, and it is important for people with HIV to take their medications as prescribed and follow their doctor's orders. By doing so, they can help to protect their health and prevent the transmission of HIV to others.
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