What is HIV? (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)

This virus makes it difficult for our body to fight against different infections. It results in deterioration of the body. This disease occurs due to sharing needles, blood transfusion, contact with body fluids, and having unprotected sex with multiple partners. It is also a type of STD (Sexual Transmitted Disease) that cannot be transmitted through hugging, sharing meals, or kissing. There is no treatment for HIV infection. Only anti-retroviral therapy and some medicines can control it to some extent. Therapy can prevent death caused due to AIDs. Early detection and proper treatment help a person to live a normal human life span. If not treated on time, HIV results in AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). AIDs is also considered as the terminal stage of HIV infection. HIV gradually weakens the immune system over time. This virus cannot be removed from humans; once infected, it remains for the rest of your life.

According to WHO (World Health Organization), HIV to AIDs progresses when there is a decline in the number of CD4 cells that are white blood cells (200 cells/mm3). Loss of CD4 cells weakens our immune system in less than 10 years.

Basic Facts to be known about HIV

● It is estimated that there were 39.9 million people diagnosed with HIV globally in 2023. Among them, 38.6 million were adults and 1.4 million were children.

● Around 6,30,000 deaths were reported due to HIV-related causes in 2023. Out of which 76,000 were children and 5,60,000 were adults across the world.

● According to data provided by the Indian government, there are about 2.5 million people were diagnosed and living with HIV in 2023. Among them, about 39% (approximately 9,30,000) of diagnosed patients were women.

● It is recorded that there has been a 39% decline in HIV cases since 2010 in India.

● According to WHO, It is predicted that only 86% of people will know about their HIV status in 2023 and the global target for HIV status awareness is 95% by 2025.

Signs and symptoms of HIV

HIV has the longest generation time, so it takes time to show symptoms in the host's body. It progressively weakens our immune system, and as a result, the body becomes infected with multiple diseases at a time. It will cause AIDs if left untreated. Having one or more symptoms doesn't prove that you have HIV. These symptoms can also be associated with other diseases. The signs and symptoms of

HIV infection are discussed below:

● Fever and headache

● Body rashes

● Sore throat

● Swollen lymph nodes

● Weight loss

● Diarrhea

● Cough

● Ulcer in mouth

Severe and untreated HIV can result in AIDs. It can be considered as the last stage of HIV infection. The symptoms are listed below:

● Tuberculosis

● Bacterial infection

● Autoimmune disorders

● Weaken immune system, including weak hair, nails

● Hepatitis B & C

● Cancers like lymphoma and Kaposi sarcoma

● Liver disorders

● Neurological disorders

● Invasive cervical cancer

Risk factors causing HIV

HIV is a viral infection usually caused by sharing needles and also a sexually transmitted infection. Various risk factors led to this infection. Some of them are listed below:

● Share used syringes or needles

● Unprotected sex

● Having multiple sexual partners

● In contact with body fluids such as semen, vaginal secretions, breast milk, and blood

● Sexually transmitted infections such as herpes, syphilis, and gonorrhea may lead to HIV.

● Transmission during pregnancy via breast milk

● Blood transfusion with an infected person

Stages of HIV

Depending on generation time, symptoms, and viral load, HIV infection is categorized into three stages:

Stage 1: Acute HIV infection

Symptoms are similar to the flu and can spread from one person to another. Usually, these symptoms disappear within a week or month.

Stage 2: Chronic HIV infection

HIV replicates inside the host body. In this stage, symptoms are not visible but can transmit HIV through contact. If detected, treatment helps in reducing viral load and patients don't go under the onset of AIDs. Without treatment, this stage proceeds much faster into the last stage. You should know that you can have HIV infection even if your body feels good.

Stage 3: AIDs

It is considered the last and most severe stage of HIV infection. In this stage, the virus has completely weakened our immune system, resulting in multiple infections. The CD4 cell count should not be less than 200 cells/mm3 in HIV patients. The transmission rate appears to be very high at this stage.

Method used in the detection of HIV

It is advised to take medical help as soon as possible if there is exposure to HIV. Early detection improves the chance of better treatment to control infection. HIV tests are categorized into four types:

● Home testing KIT: If you think you are exposed to this virus, a home kit is available to diagnose this disease. It is advised to repeatedly perform this test even if the results are negative. This test should be executed for 1 to 3 months due to HIV's exposure period (Window Period).

● Antigen test: It is a marker test for p24 (antigen). p24 is a marker found on the surface of HIV antigens. If there is a virus present in your body, then the immune system will start secreting antibodies against it. This test detects the antibody-antigen reaction after 18 to 50 days if exposed to HIV.

● Antibody test: The doctor will collect blood or saliva samples to run for antibody tests. It can detect viruses 23 to 90 days after exposure.

● Nucleic acid test: This test determines the viral load in the body. Blood samples are obtained and tested for HIV. This test can detect viral infection after 10 to 33 days.

Way to prevent HIV

Many things in our daily lives decrease the chances of getting infected with HIV infection. Lifestyle changes in daily routine will prevent exposure to HIV. Some prevention ways are listed below:

● Have protected sexual intercourse

● Never use shared needles, syringes, or swabs.

● Quit smoking and alcohol consumption.

● Maintain a healthy diet.

● Screen for Sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea, syphilis, and herpes etc.

● Doctors recommend PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis). It only prevents infection when taken within 24 hours after exposure.

Treatment methods for HIV

HIV is not curable but it can be treated with therapies and medications. It is advised to take immediate consultation and treatment after diagnosis. Some treatment options include:

● Antiviral therapy: This therapy includes a combination of drugs. This stops the virus multiplication in the host body and lowers the viral load. This therapy provides power to the immune system. These drugs boost the immune system to fight the infection. The patients are given drugs orally. Some drugs including Viropil Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate, Dolutegravir, Lamivudine Tablet, Tenofovir Alafenamide, TAFERO-EM, TENVIR 300MG TABLET, and Hepbest (tenofovir alafenamide 25 mg ) are available at Magicine pharma. You can visit our website and buy medicine at very affordable rates and discounts. If the viral load becomes undetectable, that means it can't be transmitted through sexual methods. It allows a person to be pregnant. It doesn't cure HIV completely, but provides patients with a better option to live a long normal, and healthy life span as human beings.

Medicines: pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) are recommended for HIV patients suddenly after 72 hours immediately after viral exposure.

FAQs

1. How is AIDS caused?

Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome is a viral infection caused by a virus named HIV (Human Immuno-deficiency Virus). It is transmitted due to the exchange of body fluids such as blood, and semen, sharing needles, multiple sexual partners, and unprotected sexual intercourse.

2. Can a person with HIV live a normal life?

Yes, a person with HIV can live a normal life as long as he/she receives proper treatment and care. It is estimated that a person can live a normal human life span even with HIV infection.

3. What is the last stage of HIV?

AIDs is the final stage of HIV. Multiple organ failure, severely damaged immune system, and various diseases are major indicators of HIV.

4. What is the generation time of HIV in the host body?

The generation time is defined as the time taken by the virus to replicate and show symptoms in the host body. HIV takes approximately 2-6 weeks. Antibody tests can take 25 to 90 days and rapid antigen tests can detect HIV in 18 to 90 days.

5. Can a person with HIV have a baby?

Yes, a person with HIV can have a baby until the viral load is undetectable or less than 2000/vial. After delivering the baby, HIV medicine is given to the baby for 2-6 weeks, the risk will be minimal to less than 1%.

6. Is it safe to live with an HIV-detected person?

Yes, it is safe to live with a person who is HIV diagnosed as long as he/she is taking anti-retroviral therapy. They are harmless to live with in home or society, or with whom they have non-sexual contact.

References

https://www.who.int/teams/global-hiv-hepatitis-and-stis-programmes/hiv/strategic-information/hiv-data-and-statistics

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27349729/

https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/overview/data-and-trends/global-statistics

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2058434#:~:text=As%20per%20the%20recent%20India,infections%20are%20at%20around%2066%2C400.

https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/about/index.html

https://www.cdc.gov/stophivtogether/library/topics/prevention/brochures/cdc-lsht-prevention-brochure-nows-the-time-patient.pdf

https://hivinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv/fact-sheets/hiv-and-aids-basics

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