What are the Symptoms and Causes of HIV?

HIV or Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a virus that makes a person infected and weakens their immune system. A person infected with this virus has a great risk of becoming prone to cancer and life-threatening infections. The progression of HIV leads to an illness known as AIDS. 

Causes of HIV 

HIV is transmitted through the exchange of bodily fluids like-

· Breast milk

· Blood

· Rectal fluids

· Preseminal /semen fluid 

· Vaginal fluids 

 

The virus can spread from one person to another when the above fluids come directly in contact with the following-

· Damaged tissue (a tissue that has been scraped or cut) 

· Mucous membrane

· Injection into the bloodstream

Therefore, HIV can be caused and spread during sexual intercourse without preventive measures. It can also be caused by the sharing of equipment or needles used for injecting drugs. In some circumstances, HIV can also spread from a mother to her child. Pregnant ladies can pass HIV to the fetus due to blood circulation or breastfeeding. This is why early testing and taking timely treatment and effective medicine like Tenofovir disoproxil is important for HIV-positive women (as prescribed by doctors) to lower the cases of babies getting infected with HIV. 

Symptoms of HIV

 

1) Acute HIV Infection 

An acute HIV Infection is caused when a person gets infected for the first time and can show viral illness and flu symptoms. It also includes the following-

· Headache

· Muscle pain and fever

· Night sweat

· Headache

· Lymph glands get swollen

· Diarrhea

· Mouth sores 

 

2) Asymptomatic HIV infection 

Many people don’t show any symptoms when they get infected for the first time with HIV. Acute stage HIV infection can progress to asymptomatic HIV infection in a few weeks or months. During this stage, the infected person may not get any symptoms to suspect that they are infected with the virus and spreads to others. This infection stage lasts for 10 or more years. If this infection is not treated with effective medicines like tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, it can soon progress to AIDS. 

 

3. AIDS

People start developing AIDS within some years after getting infected with HIV. While some remain healthy for 10-20 years. People who develop AIDS get their immune system damaged by HIV and are at high risk of getting other types of infection known as opportunistic infections. Other symptoms of AIDS are-

· Lung infection

· Cough, difficulty in breathing, fever

· Vomiting

· Diarrhea, swallowing issue, abdominal pain as a result of intestinal infection

· Sweat

· Fever

· Weight loss 

· Rashes 

· Swollen lymph glands

 

Exams / Tests

If a person is infected with HIV, the following tests must be done.

 

DIAGNOSTIC TESTS

This testing comes in two processes

 

· Screening test- It includes a test for blood and mouth fluid, which checks antibodies to this virus and HIV antigen. 

 

· Follow-up exam – a confirmatory test done when the screening test comes positive. 

 

Tests after getting diagnosed

People who develop AIDS go for regular blood tests to check CD4 cell count. As HIV affects the immune system, so this CD4 cell count drops. Serious complications may happen if this CD4 cell count drops to or below 200. Taking medicines like Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg is important to prevent cancer cells from multiplying. 

 

Prognosis

With proper treatment, people having HIV or AIDS can lead a normal life. The present treatment doesn’t fully cure this infection. Medications only work when they are taken regularly. Certain medicines like Temirazer help to prevent HIV multiplication and slows down symptoms. However, if you stop taking these medicines, the cd4 cell count will drop, and the viral load will increase. Doctors prescribe some medicines like Emtricitabine 200 mg and so contact your healthcare provider if you notice any side effects to these medicines.