My Health Digest
My Health Digest
AIDS is a chronic disease caused by a virus called human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that infects and destroys CD4 cells, a type of white blood cell responsible for the immune system. In people with HIV, the disease progresses to AIDS when the number of CD4 cells in the blood is less than 200
Symptoms:
HIV symptoms vary, depending on the stage of infection.
Primary infection:
Symptoms often appear within a month or two of the virus entering the body and include flu-like symptoms such as:
High temperature;
Pain in muscles and joints.
Hasty.
Headache and sore throat.
Ulceration in the mouth or genitals.
Swollen lymph nodes, often in the neck.
Night sweats.
Diarrhea.
Clinical infection:
This stage may extend for a period ranging from 8-10 years, depending on the extent of the impact of the immune system and its ability to fight the virus, during which time no symptoms may appear at all.
The reasons
AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus. It can be spread through sexual contact or blood, or from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.
Complications
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) affects the body’s immune system, weakening it, and making it easier for a person to contract opportunistic diseases and various types of cancers, including:
Tuberculosis;
Salmonella infection.
Meningitis.
To prevent infection with the virus:
Avoid extramarital sex, and it is also important to avoid same-sex relationships.
Use a condom if either spouse has the disease.
Do not share syringes, piercings, or razors with others.
There is still no vaccine to prevent HIV infection.
Methods of transmission of HIV infection
Intercourse
Transfusion
Participation in the use of syringes contaminated with the virus
From mother to child: The infection may be transmitted from the mother to her child if the mother does not receive appropriate treatment during pregnancy
Breastfeeding
Treatment or treatment:
There is no definitive cure for HIV. But antiviral drugs are used to inhibit it.