HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that damages the immune system by infecting and destroying CD4 cells. If more and more CD4 cells are destroyed, the body's immune system will weaken so that it is vulnerable to various diseases.
HIV that is not treated immediately will develop into a serious condition called AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection. At this stage, the body's ability to fight infection is completely lost.
HIV transmission occurs through contact with patient body fluids, such as blood, sperm, vaginal fluids, anal fluids, and breast milk. Please note, HIV is not transmitted through air, water, sweat, tears, saliva, mosquito bites, or physical touch.
HIV is a lifelong disease. In other words, the HIV virus will stay in the patient's body for the rest of his life. Although there is no treatment method to treat HIV, there are drugs that can slow the progression of the disease and increase the life expectancy of sufferers.
Symptoms of HIV and AIDS
Most sufferers experience a mild cold 2–6 weeks after becoming infected with HIV. The flu can be accompanied by other symptoms and can last for 1-2 weeks. After the flu improves, other symptoms may not be visible for years even though the HIV virus continues to damage the sufferer's immune system, until HIV progresses to an advanced stage of AIDS.
In most cases, a person only finds out that he has HIV after seeing a doctor due to a serious illness caused by a weakened immune system. Serious illnesses include chronic diarrhea, pneumonia, or toxoplasmosis brain.
Causes and Risk Factors of HIV and AIDS
HIV disease is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus or HIV, according to the name of the disease. If left untreated, HIV can get worse and progress to AIDS.
HIV transmission can occur through vaginal or anal sex, use of needles, and blood transfusions. Although rare, HIV can also be passed from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding.
Some factors that may increase the risk of transmission is as follows:
- Having sex with multiple partners and without using a safety
- Using a syringe together
- Doing a job that involves contact with human body fluids without the use of a safety device self-sufficient
Consultdoctor your if you suspect that you have been exposed to HIV through the methods above, especially if you experience flu-like symptoms within 2–6 weeks afterward.
Treatment of HIV and AIDS
Patients who have been diagnosed with HIV must immediately receive treatment in the form of antiretroviral therapy (ARV). ARVs work to prevent the HIV virus from multiplying so it doesn't attack the immune system.
Prevention of HIV and AIDS
Here are some ways that can be done to avoid and minimize HIV transmission:
- Not having sex before marriage
- Not having multiple sexual partners
- Using condoms during sexual intercourse
- Avoiding drug use, especially injection types
- Getting the right information about HIV, how to transmission, prevention, and treatment, especially for adolescents