Protection Against HIV
By: Allison K and Olivia Lommen
What is HIV?
- HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus that if left untreated, can lead to the disease AIDS
- HIV attacks the body’s immune system, specifically the CD4 cells also known as T cells, which help the immune system fight off infections.
- If left untreated, HIV reduces the number of CD4 cells making the person more likely to get infections or infection-related cancers.
Early Symptoms of HIV:
Fever
Chills
Rash
Night sweats
Muscle aches
Sore throat
Fatigue
Swollen lymph nodes
- Mouth ulcers
Symptoms of AIDS (the progression of HIV):
- Rapid weight loss
- Recurring fever or profuse night sweats
- Extreme and unexplained tiredness
- Prolonged swelling of the lymph glands in the armpits, groin, or neck
- Diarrhea that lasts for more than a week
- Sores of the mouth, anus, or genitals
- Pneumonia
- Red, brown, pink, or purplish blotches on or under the skin or inside the mouth, nose, or eyelids
- Memory loss, depression, and other neurologic disorders
Treatments for HIV:
There is no cure for HIV but HIV is treatable.
HIV is treated using a combination of medicines to fight HIV infection. This is called antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART isn’t a cure, but it can control the virus so that you can live a longer, healthier life and reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to others. ART prevents HIV from multiplying, which reduces the amount of HIV in your body. Having less HIV in your body gives your immune system a chance to recover and fight off infections and cancers. Even though there is still some HIV in the body, the immune system is strong enough to fight off infections and cancers.Prevention and Protection:
Abstinence
Limiting number of sexual partners
Never sharing needles
Using condoms
Taking medicines to prevent HIV
Having good hygiene
- Being knowledgeable about your sex partners hygiene
Complications of HIV:
Can develop into AIDS which attacks the immune system and can kill you
Pregnant women at risk for preterm birth and stillbirth
- A pregnant women can also pass the virus to the child, infecting her child
The Science of HIV/AIDS