All About HIV/Aids
HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is a viral infection that causes AIDS, or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. HIV and AIDS are not the same things, and not everyone with HIV has AIDS.
HIV is a virus that destroys some immune system cells, which aids in maintaining your health by protecting you from sickness. HIV can harm your immune system, making it easier for you to become seriously ill and even diseases that your body would typically be able to fight off could become fatal.
Without treatment, it typically takes an HIV-positive person around 10 years to develop AIDS. The virus’s harm is slowed down by treatment, which prolongs people’s lifespans.
How Common is HIV?
More than 38,000 new cases of HIV infection occur each year in the United States, where approximately 1.1 million people have the disease. Most HIV-positive individuals experience no symptoms for many years and feel completely normal, so they may not even be aware that they are infected. Once you have HIV, it stays in your body forever.
HIV cannot be cured, but medications can keep you healthy. HIV medication reduces or even eliminates your ability to transmit the virus to others. According to studies, if you take your HIV medication as prescribed, the amount of HIV in your blood may even drop below the detection threshold, making it impossible for you to spread the virus through intercourse.
Treatment is crucial, which is why getting tested is crucial. HIV can progress to AIDS if it is not treated. However, with the help of medication, people with HIV can live long, healthy lives and prevent the virus from spreading to others.
HIV gradually kills CD4 cells, also known as T cells, a vital type of immune system cell that aids in infection defense. Your body cannot effectively fight off infections when you don’t have enough CD4 cells. When you contract serious infections or have a very low CD4 cell count, you have AIDS. The most severe HIV stage, AIDS, eventually results in death.
How Does HIV Spread?
HIV is most commonly spread through unprotected sex. Semen (cum), vaginal fluids, anal mucus, blood, and breast milk are all carriers of HIV. The virus enters your body through skin wounds or sores and mucosal membranes (like the inside of the vagina, rectum, and opening of the penis). HIV can be acquired from:
- engaging in anal or vaginal sex
- sharing syringes or needles for tattoos, piercings, or drug injections.
- getting a needle inserted in your body with blood that is HIV-positive on it
- getting blood, cum, or vaginal fluids with HIV into open wounds or sores on your body
HIV can also be transmitted to infants through nursing, childbirth, or pregnancy. A pregnant HIV-positive woman can take medication to significantly lower the risk that her unborn child will contract HIV.
You CANNOT obtain HIV via kissing, sharing food or beverages, or using the same fork or spoon since saliva (spit) is not how HIV is communicated. Additionally, HIV cannot be transmitted through hugging, holding hands, coughing, or sneezing. And a toilet seat cannot transmit HIV to you.
If you’re concerned that you may have been exposed to HIV, schedule a confidential, low-cost testing appointment here.
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