HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that targets the immune system of the body. AIDS can develop if HIV is not treated (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).
There is presently no viable treatment available. People who contract HIV are infected for life.
HIV, on the other hand, may be managed with good medical treatment. People living with HIV who get appropriate HIV therapy can live long and healthy lives while protecting their relationships.
Table of Contents
What Is HIV?
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that targets immune cells, rendering a person more susceptible to other infections and disorders. It is communicated by contact with a person’s HIV-positive body fluids, most often during unprotected intercourse (sex without a condom or HIV medication to prevent or treat HIV) or through sharing injectable drug equipment.
If HIV is not treated, it can develop into the illness AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).
The human body cannot eliminate HIV, and there is no effective HIV treatment. So, if you have HIV, you will have it for the rest of your life.
Fortunately, effective HIV treatment (known as antiretroviral therapy or ART) is available. HIV medication, when taken as directed, can lower the quantity of HIV in the blood (also known as the viral load) to very low levels. This is known as viral suppression. An undetectable viral load occurs when a person’s viral load is so low that a typical lab cannot detect it. People with HIV who take HIV medication as directed and achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load can live long and healthy lives and will not transfer HIV through intercourse to HIV-negative partners.
What Is AIDS?
AIDS is the advanced stage of HIV infection that happens when the body’s immune system is severely compromised by the virus.
In India, most persons with HIV do not acquire AIDS because taking HIV medication as prescribed prevents the illness from progressing.
A person with HIV is said to have developed AIDS when:
Their CD4 cell count falls below 200 cells per cubic millimeter of blood (200 cells/mm3). (CD4 numbers in people with a healthy immune system range between 500 and 1,600 cells/mm3.) OR, regardless of CD4 level, they get one or more opportunistic infections.
People with AIDS generally live for roughly three years without HIV medication. Without treatment, someone with a deadly opportunistic disease has a one-year life expectancy. At this stage of HIV infection, HIV treatment can still aid patients and may even save their lives. People who begin HIV medication immediately after contracting the virus, on the other hand, benefit more—which is why HIV testing is so vital.
How Is HIV Transmitted?
You can only obtain HIV if you come into close contact with specific bodily fluids from an HIV-positive individual with a detectable viral load. These fluids are as follows:
Blood, sperm, and pre-seminal fluid (pre-cum)
Rectal liquids
Fluids in the cervix
Mother’s milk
The HIV in these fluids must enter the circulation of an HIV-negative individual via a mucous membrane (found in the rectum, vagina, mouth, or tip of the penis), open wounds or sores, or direct injection (from a needle or syringe).
People with HIV who take HIV medication as directed and achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load can live long and healthy lives and will not transfer HIV through intercourse to HIV-negative partners.
How Is HIV Spread from Person to Person?
HIV can only be transmitted through certain actions. The most frequent methods are:
Having vaginal or anal intercourse with someone who has HIV without wearing a condom correctly every time or taking HIV prevention or treatment medications. Anal intercourse is more dangerous for HIV transmission than vaginal sex. Find out more about the HIV risk connected with certain sexual practices.
Sharing injectable drug equipment, such as needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment (“works”), with someone who has HIV is prohibited because these things may contain blood, and blood can spread HIV. Sharing needles, syringes, or other injection equipment can lead to HIV infection or transmission among people who inject hormones, silicone, or steroids. Find out more about HIV and injectable drugs.
Less common methods include:
An HIV-positive individual who transmits the virus to their child during pregnancy, childbirth, or lactation. However, the use of HIV medications and other efforts has helped reduce the risk of prenatal HIV transmission in India.
Being infected with HIV as a result of a needlestick or sharps injury. This is primarily a risk for healthcare employees. The danger is really minimal.
How is HIV Not Spread?
HIV is not transmitted by:
Water or air
Insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, and other insects
Saliva, tears, perspiration, feces, or urine that has not been combined with the blood of an HIV-positive individual
Shaking hands; embracing; sharing restrooms; sharing food, cutlery, or drinking glasses with an HIV-positive person; or participating in closed-mouth or “social” kissing with an HIV-positive person
Water fountains
Other forms of sexual activity that do not entail the exchange of bodily fluids (for example, touching).
HIV cannot be transmitted through healthy, undamaged skin when blood is donated.
How Does Anyone Get AIDS?
AIDS, which stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, cannot be caught directly.
AIDS is the most severe form of HIV infection. If a person has HIV but is not receiving HIV medication, the virus weakens the body’s immune system and the individual develops AIDS.
People with AIDS have such weakened immune systems that they are susceptible to a variety of serious diseases known as opportunistic infections.
However, because of today’s efficient HIV therapy, the vast majority of HIV-positive persons do not have AIDS. People with HIV who take HIV medication as directed and achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load can remain healthy and avoid developing AIDS.
Conclusion
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that destroys immune system cells and impairs your capacity to fight infections and illness.
AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) refers to a group of potentially fatal diseases and disorders that occur when your immune system is severely compromised by the HIV virus.
While AIDS cannot be passed from person to person, the HIV virus may.