AIDS
BE AWARE , And Take Care
What is Aids ?
human immunodeficiency virus, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. A disease in which there is a severe loss of the body's cellular immunity, greatly lowering the resistance to infection and malignancy.
Signs and Symptoms of AIDS
- Fever.
- Fatigue.
- Swollen lymph nodes — often one of the first signs of HIV infection.
- Diarrhea.
- Weight loss.
- Oral yeast infection (thrush)
- Shingles (herpes zoster)
As the virus continues to multiply and destroy immune cells, you may develop mild infections or chronic signs and symptoms such as:
AIDS Quotes
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Aids Progression
This is the stage of HIV infection that occurs when your immune system is badly damaged and you become vulnerable to opportunistic infections. When the number of your CD4 cells falls below 200 cells per cubic millimeter of blood (200 cells/mm3), you are considered to have progressed to AIDS. (In someone with a healthy immune system, CD4 counts are between 500 and 1,600 cells/mm3.) You are also considered to have progressed to AIDS if you develop one or more opportunistic illnesses, regardless of your CD4 count.
Without treatment, people who progress to AIDS typically survive about 3 years. Once you have a dangerous opportunistic illness, life-expectancy without treatment falls to about 1 year. However, if you are taking ART and maintain a low viral load, then you may enjoy a near normal life span. You will most likely never progress to AIDS.
Prognosis of AIDS
At present there is no cure for AIDS and it is fatal without treatment. HIV infection, however, takes a very long time to develop into full blown AIDS. The virus begins to replicate in the body within the CD4 cells and begins to destroy the immunity.
Risk Factors
When HIV/AIDS first surfaced in the United States, it mainly affected men who had sex with men. However, now it's clear that HIV is also spread through heterosexual sex.
Anyone of any age, race, sex or sexual orientation can be infected, but you're at greatest risk of HIV/AIDS if you:
- Have unprotected sex. Unprotected sex means having sex without using a new latex or polyurethane condom every time. Anal sex is more risky than is vaginal sex. The risk increases if you have multiple sexual partners.
- Have another STI. Many sexually transmitted infections (STIs) produce open sores on your genitals. These sores act as doorways for HIV to enter your body.
- Use intravenous drugs. People who use intravenous drugs often share needles and syringes. This exposes them to droplets of other people's blood.
- Are an uncircumcised man. Studies indicate that lack of circumcision increases the risk of heterosexual transmission of HIV.
Diagnostic Studies
Your doctor might also order lab tests to check for other infections or complications, including:
- Tuberculosis
- Hepatitis
- Toxoplasmosis
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Liver or kidney damage
- Urinary tract infection
Non invasive and Invasive Test
Invasive- blood work.
Doctors near you
Location: 2000 Meade Parkway, Suffolk, VA, United States
Phone: 77574837108
More doctors near you
Location: 2970 Godwin Blvd, Suffolk, VA, United States
Phone: 7579234500
Support Groups
Fun Facts
2.HIV sneaks past autoimmune cells by using a kind of camouflage. It surrounds itself with sugar molecules that fool the body into thinking it’s a nutrient instead of a threat.