HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, is a chronic, incurable disease affecting a person's immune system. An HIV victim's immune system progressively declines and no longer is able to fight off illnesses and infections caused by viruses and bacteria. As the condition becomes worse, it is defined as AIDS, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The Mayo Clinic reports 39.5 million people worldwide suffer from HIV.
Testing
Blood or oral mucus is tested for antibodies of the HIV virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests all people between the ages of 13 and 64 be tested for HIV. Detection of HIV antibodies is not immediate after initial transmission; antibodies are commonly detected after 12 weeks. In some cases, six months may pass until the discovery of antibodies. An HIV positive patient should receive a baseline evaluation after diagnosis. The evaluation includes complete medical history, physical exam, laboratory testing and counseling states AIDSinfo, a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website.
Symptoms
Some people who are HIV positive will experience flu-like symptoms two to four weeks after transmission, according to the Mayo Clinic. Symptoms include fever, headache, sore throat or muscle aches. A person's lymph nodes can appear slightly swollen. Still, most people who are infected by HIV appear asymptomatic during the initial and early stages of the disease states Epigee, a women's health website. Though no symptoms are present, a person continues to be highly contagious during this time.
Statistics
GlobalHealthReporting.org reports Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest number of adults and children living with AIDS/HIV--nearly 22 million during 2007. In comparison, 1.2 million HIV/AIDS cases were reported during 2007 in North America. During 2006, the CDC reported about 53,000 new cases of HIV infection in the U.S. The 2006 statistics included information about methods of transmission. Nearly 53 percent of newly diagnosed HIV cases occurred in gay or bisexual men and 31 percent of cases were caused by heterosexual transmission. Injection drug use accounted for 12 percent of cases--a significant decline from recent years reports the Kaiser Foundation. Black or African American men and women were seven times more likely to be diagnosed with the disease than whites states the CDC. The Kaiser Family Foundation reports every 9.5 minutes someone is infected with HIV in the U.S.
Treatment
The Mayo Clinic suggests treatment should suppress symptoms as long as possible. The most common treatment method is highly active antiretroviral therapy, or HAART, recommended by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The aggressive treatment uses a combination of at least three anti-HIV medications from at least two different classes of drugs. There are seven different classes of HIV drugs, each blocking the HIV virus in a different way. Taking a variety of drugs makes treatment more effective and prevents drug resistance from occurring states the NIH. HAART therapy can suppress the virus to undetectable levels, states the Mayo Clinic. Though undetectable, the virus is always present and will eventually progress to AIDS. Besides drug therapy, quality of life is important when considering HIV/AIDS treatment options--the Mayo Clinic suggests choosing a regimen with the least number of side effects and medications.
Prevention
Avoiding contact with HIV-infected fluids such as semen, blood, vaginal secretions or breast milk are key to preventing an infection. Knowing the status of all sexual partners is critical. Always wearing a new latex or polyurethane condom during intercourse is a critical preventive step. Do not use oil-based products, which weaken and break down condoms. A person should learn the proper way to use a condom. Be aware using a condom will not prevent HIV infection risks completely. Condoms can tear and break during intercourse.
HIV is also transmitted via blood; it is critical for a person injecting drugs to use a clean, sterile needle. Blood transfusions are generally safe due to the HIV screening process in the U.S.; still, it is recommended that anyone who needs a transfusion outside of the U.S. get tested for HIV.
