Human Immune Deficiency Virus / Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). It is one of the most frightening of all STDs.

HIV enters the body of a person and kills the cells of the immune System. This makes the body weak and less able to fight sickness. People with HIV in their body go on to become sick with AIDS. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) occurs at the most advanced stage of infection.

There’s no cure for HIV / AIDS . Once you have the infection, your body can’t get rid of it. However, there are medicines that can control HIV and prevent complications.

Signs and Symptoms:

i. Gradual loss of weight.

ii. Suffer from diarrhoea, fever and rashes.

iii. Mouth sores, including yeast infection (thrush).

iv. Persistent and long-lasting dry cough.

v. Swollen lymph glands, which are often one of the first symptoms of HIV infection.

vi. Tiredness and weakness of the body.

vii. Results in death of the infected person as there is no cure. However, it can be controlled.

How HIV Spreads: 

HIV spreads in the blood and in the sexual fluid (semen in men and vagina secretions in women, of the affected person.

HIV can spread by:

1. Having sex with an affected person.

2. Injury with contaminated sharp objects such as needles, blades or piercing instruments. It is not advisable to share sharp objects like razors with an infected person.

3. Transfusion of infected blood.

4. Infected mothers can pass it to their babies while still in the womb, at birth or through breast milk.

How HIV is Not Spread:

You cannot spread HIV or get infected by:

• Sharing food, touching, hugging and shaking hands.
• Sitting close to people who have HIV/AIDS.
• Sharing combs, bed sheets, towels or clothes with infected persons.
• Sharing toilets.
• Bites from mosquitoes, bedbugs or other insects.