HIV (Human Immuno-Deficiency virus)

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HIV (Human Immuno-Deficiency virus)

Q1 What is HIV (Human Immuno-Deficiency virus)?

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. If not treated it can lead to AIDS.

Q2 What is AIDS?

AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. It is a condition in which a group of symptoms appear as the immune system becomes very weak. It could take years from the time of HIV entry into the body to develop AIDS.

Q3 What is the difference between HIV & AIDS?

HIV is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. If HIV is not treated, it can lead to AIDS. Doctors call it AIDS only when people with HIV infection begin to get severe opportunistic infections (OIs), due to lower immunity, or when CD4 cell counts fall below 200 cells/mm3 and HIV viral load increases to >1,000 copies/ml. Being diagnosed with HIV does not mean a person will also develop AIDS, because AIDS is preventable with HIV treatment.

Q4 What is Viral Load count?

Viral load (VL) test measures how much HIV is in the blood and to know if the HIV treatment is working well or not. An important goal of antiretroviral therapy is to suppress a patient’s VL to an undetectable level – a level too low for the virus to be detected in blood by a VL test.

Q5 What is CD4 count?

A CD4 count tells you how many CD4 cells there are in a drop of blood. The more there are, the better. CD4 and viral load test results give essential information about the effect sexually transmitted is having on your body.

Q6 How can HIV be transmitted?

Most people get HIV through anal or vaginal sex or sharing needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment. It can also be transmitted through blood transfusions or from a mother living with sexually transmitted to her child through childbirth or breastfeeding. HIV doesn’t spread through ordinary social contact; for example, by shaking hands, traveling in the same bus, eating from same utensils, by hugging or social kissing, etc.


Disclaimer

This article is not a substitute for professional advice and is intended for informational purposes only. This article is for general awareness. 



Blog By Dr. Amit Harshana

Click here to read more Akeso Health


Location: F5VH+2V Dera, Haryana, India

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