HIV

HIV - Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), is a type of sexually transmitted disease that is transmitted via blood, or blood-contaminated body fluids. HIV is transmitted through several activities; having anal or vaginal sex with someone who is infected with HIV without using appropriate contraception such as condoms, and sharing needles or syringes during injections. Less commonly, HIV can be spread from HIV-infected mother to her child during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding. In rare cases, it is also transmitted via blood transfusions and organ transplant. HIV is not transported by saliva, tears, sharing toilets, or via insects such as mosquitoes; it cannot survive long outside the human body, and reproduce outside a human host.

Currently, there are more than 35 million people live with HIV worldwide. HIV prevalence rate is extremely high in the LEDCs, especially in Africa, and some areas in South America and Northern part of Asia. Surprisingly, 1 out 6 patients do not know that they are infected. Reasons for this statistics are not only because, patients around the Southern African region - where has a huge proportion of global HIV patients - do not have access to regular monitoring of HIV, but also because of typical stigma towards the sexually transmitted disease where people are being extremely reluctant to have a consistent checkup. When you see the photo below, especially southern and sub Saharan Africa has the greatest rates of prevalence.

<Geographical patterns of HIV>

http://www.coolgeography.co.uk/9/Risky_Earth/AIDs/AIDS.htm

Just like other viruses, there are few people who are immune or rather has resistance towards HIV virus. However this is not completely proven and with the modern medicinal technologies, it cannot be guaranteed that those who are immune to the virus are permanently immune to it.

The symptoms of HIV vary. But usually, it is hard to know right away whether they have been infected with HIV or not. The first stage is called ‘Acute HIV infection’. It is slightly similar to the flu; headache, diarrhoea, vomiting, fatigue, aching muscle, sore throat, or even red rash are the common symptoms that are instantly shown. This is a period when their immune system fight with the HIV virus. The second stage is called ‘chronic HIV infection’. This stage comes when the body’s immune system is lost. At this point of time, flu-like symptoms disappear. And there are no specific symptoms, thus it is extremely hard to know whether they are infected with HIV. And the third stage is ‘AIDS’. AIDS is the advanced stage of HIV infection. The typical symptoms are, exhaustion, swollen lymph nodes, night sweats and unexplained weight loss. If people have not taken any medicine, they would not survive more than three years.

There is actually no cure or vaccine to prevent HIV. The only way to prevent infection is that avoiding high-risk behaviour putting them at risk of infection like unprotected sex or sharing needles. And check everyone whether they are infected with HIV or not. There are HIV therapies, which can greatly extend years and quality of life for the people who are already infected. These HIV therapies actually resulted in a dramatic decrease in AIDS death in the US. However, it is really important to know as soon as possible.