HIV

HIV

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the body's immune system. If HIV is not treated, it can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).


There is currently no effective cure. Once people get HIV, they have it for life. But with proper medical care, HIV can be controlled

The virus can be transmitted through contact with infected blood, semen or vaginal fluids. Within a few weeks of HIV infection, flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat and fatigue can occur.

Then the disease is usually asymptomatic until it progresses to AIDS.

AIDS symptoms include weight loss, fever or night sweats, fatigue and recurrent infections.


NB: HIV can be transmitted through:

  1. Unprotected sex
  2. Blood to blood contact (e.g. using contaminated needles and blood transfusion where blood is not screened).
  3. Mother to baby


      • Related Articles

      • HIV Prevention Methods

        HIV can be prevented by: Abstinence Condoms Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) - Emergency medication taken within 72 hours of exposure to HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) – Medication taken by HIV negative people to reduce the chance of getting HIV ...

      • Treatment of HIV

        The treatment for HIV is called antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART involves taking a combination of HIV medicines (called an HIV treatment regimen) every day. ART is recommended for everyone who has HIV. People with HIV should start taking HIV ...

      • What you need to know about CD4 count and viral load

        When one gets infected by HIV, the virus weakens the immune system. This may result in a decrease in CD4 count, which opens room for opportunistic infection. A CD4 count tells you how many CD4 cells are in a drop of blood. The more the CD4 cells, the ...

      • Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission

        PMTCT program seeks to empower women of reproductive age living with or at risk of HIV through services meant to maintain their health and stop the transmission of HIV virus to the unborn child. This is offered before conception, throughout ...

      • Common Types of STI's

        HIV- is a virus that attacks the immune system. HIV cannot be cured but can be managed through ARVs and eating healthy. HPV- human papillomavirus, which is a group of virus that affect the skin and membranes, such as the throat, cervix, anus and ...