Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system, making it difficult for the body to fight off infections. Over time, HIV can damage the immune system so severely that it can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). AIDS is the most advanced stage of HIV infection.
How Is HIV Transmitted?
HIV can be transmitted through the exchange of certain bodily fluids, including blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. The most common ways that HIV is transmitted are through:
- Unprotected sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) with an infected person
- Sharing needles or other drug injection equipment with an infected person
- Receiving a blood transfusion or organ transplant from an infected person
- Being born to a mother who has HIV
What Are The Risk Factors For HIV Infection?
Anyone can get HIV, but some people are at higher risk than others. Risk factors for HIV infection include:
- Having unprotected sex with an infected person
- Sharing needles or other drug injection equipment with an infected person
- Being born to a mother who has HIV
- Having other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Having multiple sexual partners
- Having sex with someone who has a lot of sexual partners
- Having sex with someone who injects drugs
- Being a man who has sex with men
How Can I Prevent HIV Infection?
There are several things you can do to prevent HIV infection, including:
- Use a condom every time you have sex, even oral sex
- Do not share needles or other drug injection equipment
- Get tested for HIV and other STIs regularly
- If you are pregnant, get tested for HIV and take antiretroviral therapy (ART) to prevent passing the virus to your baby
Difference Between HIV & AIDS?
The main difference between HIV and AIDS is that HIV is a virus, while AIDS is a condition. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS, but not everyone with HIV will develop AIDS. With early diagnosis and treatment, people with HIV can live long and healthy lives.
Here is a table that summarises the key differences between HIV and AIDS:
| Characteristic | HIV | AIDS |
| Definition | A virus that attacks the body’s immune system | A condition that results when HIV has severely damaged the immune system |
| Transmission | Transmitted through the exchange of bodily fluids, such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk | Not transmitted from person to person |
| Symptoms | Symptoms can vary from person to person but may include fever, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash | Symptoms are caused by opportunistic infections and cancers that develop as a result of a weakened immune system |
| Treatment | Antiretroviral therapy (ART) can help to control the virus and prevent it from progressing to AIDS | There is no cure for AIDS, but treatment can help to manage symptoms and improve quality of life |
Can I Get HIV From Kissing Or Hugging Someone Who Is Infected With HIV?
No, you cannot get HIV from kissing or hugging someone who is infected with HIV. HIV is not spread through casual contact such as shaking hands, sharing food or drinks, or touching someone’s skin.
Can I Get HIV From Using The Same Toilet Or Shower As Someone Who Is Infected With HIV?
No, you cannot get HIV from using the same toilet or shower as someone who is infected with HIV. HIV is not spread through water or other bodily fluids such as sweat or saliva.
Can I Get HIV From Breastfeeding If My Baby Is Infected With HIV?
Yes, it is possible to get HIV from breastfeeding if your baby is infected with HIV. However, there are ways to reduce the risk of transmission, such as taking antiretroviral therapy (ART).
What Is The Treatment For HIV?
There is no cure for HIV, but there are treatments that can control the virus and prevent it from progressing to AIDS. Treatment for HIV is called antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART involves taking a combination of medications that work to suppress the HIV virus.
Can I Live A Long And Healthy Life With HIV?
Yes, people with HIV can live long and healthy lives with the help of antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART can suppress the HIV virus to undetectable levels, which means that the virus cannot be transmitted to others.
Deep information about the topic
HIV is a retrovirus, which means that it uses RNA as its genetic material. When HIV enters a cell, it replicates its RNA and produces new virus particles. HIV attacks CD4 T cells, which are a type of white blood cell that plays a key role in the immune system. As HIV destroys CD4 T cells, the immune system becomes weaker and less able to fight off infections.
Over time, HIV can progress to AIDS, which is the most advanced stage of HIV infection. People with AIDS have a severely weakened immune system and are at risk of developing a variety of opportunistic infections and cancers.
Other parts of the topic
- HIV testing: HIV testing is important for everyone, but especially for people who are at high risk of infection. HIV testing is available at most doctors’ offices, health clinics, and community organisations.
- HIV prevention: There are several ways to prevent HIV infection, including using condoms, not sharing needles, and getting tested regularly.
- HIV treatment: There is no cure for HIV, but there are treatments that can control the virus and prevent it from progressing to AIDS. Treatment for HIV is called antiretroviral therapy (ART).
- Living with HIV: People with HIV can live long and healthy lives with the help of antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART can suppress HIV to undetectable levels, which means that the virus cannot be transmitted to others.
How HIV Attacks The Immune System?
HIV attacks the immune system by primarily targeting and infecting CD4+ T cells, which are vital for orchestrating immune responses. The virus’s ability to mutate rapidly makes it challenging for the immune system to mount a sustained defence, leading to the gradual depletion of CD4+ T cells.
This depletion weakens the immune response, increases susceptibility to infections, and contributes to the progression of HIV to AIDS.
Can Mosquitoes Or Insects Spread HIV?
No, HIV does not spread through mosquitoes or other insects. The virus cannot reproduce in insects.
Can HIV Be Spread By Kissing?
Kissing is considered a very low-risk activity for HIV transmission, as saliva does not contain sufficient levels of HIV. However, open-mouth kissing with an HIV-positive person with bleeding gums/sores may pose a small risk.
Does HIV Spread Through Food Handled By Someone With HIV?
No. HIV does not spread through food. The virus cannot reproduce in food and cannot survive gastric acids or temperatures achieved during cooking.
Can You Get HIV From A Public Swimming Pool?
No, HIV cannot be transmitted through chlorinated pool water. The chlorine kills HIV.
Can HIV Be Cured?
Currently, there is no cure for HIV. However, antiretroviral therapy can control the virus and help people with HIV live long, productive lives. Research for a cure is ongoing.
Source 1: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hiv-and-aids/causes/
Source 2: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hiv-aids