Understanding the Difference Between HIV and AIDS
Do you know the difference between HIV and AIDS?
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) are often confused, but they are not the same. HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system, weakening the body’s natural defenses against infections. If left untreated, HIV can progress to AIDS, which is the most advanced stage of the infection.
HIV can be managed with antiretroviral therapy (ART), allowing people to live long, healthy lives. However, without treatment, HIV can progress to AIDS, a serious condition that severely weakens the immune system, leading to life-threatening infections.
Key Differences Between HIV and AIDS
- HIV: A viral infection that attacks immune cells. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent the virus from progressing.
- AIDS: A condition that results from advanced, untreated HIV. It is diagnosed when the immune system is severely compromised, with a CD4 count below 200 cells/mm³ or the development of opportunistic infections.
HIV Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
- Causes: HIV is primarily transmitted through infected blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or breast milk. Common methods include unprotected sex, sharing needles, and from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.
- Symptoms: Early HIV symptoms may include fever, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and rash. As the disease progresses, more severe symptoms like weight loss, night sweats, and chronic diarrhea can occur.
- Diagnosis: HIV is diagnosed through blood tests or oral swab tests.
- Treatment: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the standard treatment, which suppresses the virus and reduces the risk of progression to AIDS.
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Prevention of HIV
- Safe Practices: Use condoms during sex and avoid sharing needles.
- Medications: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can reduce the risk of HIV in high-risk individuals. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) can be taken after possible exposure to HIV to prevent infection.
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AIDS: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
- Causes: AIDS results from the progression of untreated HIV. Once the immune system is severely weakened, opportunistic infections take hold.
- Symptoms: Common symptoms include severe weight loss, persistent fever, chronic diarrhea, and respiratory infections.
- Diagnosis: AIDS is diagnosed when a person with HIV has a CD4 count below 200 cells/mm³ or develops opportunistic diseases.
- Treatment: While there is no cure for AIDS, ART can slow progression and improve the quality of life.
Who Can Get HIV/AIDS?
Anyone engaging in risky behaviors, such as unprotected sex or sharing needles, can contract HIV. It affects all demographics, including men, women, and people of all sexual orientations. Vertical transmission (mother to child) can also occur during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between HIV and AIDS is crucial for prevention and treatment. Early detection and consistent ART can prevent HIV from progressing to AIDS, enabling those infected to live long, healthy lives. Safe practices, regular testing, and preventative measures like PrEP and PEP can help reduce the spread of HIV.
Sources: PinterPandai, NHS UK, Cleveland Clinic, HIV.gov
Photo credit: StockSnap via Pixabay
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