HIV infection if remain untreated, it will eventually develop into AIDS. However, by taking accurate and prescribe medicine, HIV is possible not to develop into AIDS. Thus, if a person has AIDS, they will carry it over for the rest of their life, and in their medical history.
How is HIV Transmitted?
Sexual Transmission – This can happen while having unprotected sex; Including anal sex, oral, and vaginal, or simply sharing sex toys with a person who is infected with HIV. It can happen if there is a contact with infected sexual fluids (genital/rectal/or oral mucous membranes)
Blood Transmission – Through drug injections, like reusing and sharing syringes contaminated with HIV-infected blood is extremely very dangerous. However, thanks to meticulous screening and precautions, the risk of transmitting HIV through blood transfusion is nowadays extremely low.
Perinatal Transmission – An infected mother can pass the infection to her child during pregnancy and childbirth. It can also pass through breastfeeding.
HIV symptoms
For some people with HIV, they feel no symptoms for several months or even years after being infected. However, for some, they may develop symptoms of flu which usually take 2-6 weeks after getting the virus.
Other symptoms of early HIV may include:
Unintentional weight loss / fever / chills / muscles and joint pain / red rashes / enlarged glands / sore throat / unexplained tiredness / sweating (night in particular)
HIV if left untreated, the person becomes weak and vulnerable to serious illness since HIV weakens the ability to fight infections. Thus, it will develop into AIDS.
Late-Stage of HIV symptoms includes:
Extreme weight loss / dry cough / permanent tiredness / swollen glands that last for weeks / white spots on mouth or tongue / night sweats / fever lasting for weeks 37 °C or above / shortness of breath (dyspnea).
This late-stage of HIV may be avoided and controlled to develop with proper medications including HIV treatment.
HIV CANNOT be transmitted from:
Hugging / traditional kissing / shaking of hands / sneezing / using same toilet / sharing towels / sharing utensil / mouth to mouth resuscitation / or other forms of casual contact.
Diagnosis of HIV & AIDS
Diagnosis is made through a blood test. If the virus of HIV is found, the results will be “positive”. The blood is somehow re-tested for several times before a positive result is given to the patient.
After a person is infected with HIV, it may take from 3 to 6 months before the virus will show, retesting may be necessary.
Unfortunately, there is no cure YET for HIV and AIDS. Treatments and medication can only slow the virus for spreading and it allows most of the infected people to live a long and a normal life.
If you are reading this article, you’re probably looking for an answer whether you are positive or negative with HIV. Well, the best thing to do is to set an appointment with a Doctor and have yourself tested! The earlier virus is detected, the more likely the treatment will be successful.
Again, in a long run, have yourself tested since it’s better to be sure than sorry.
