Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the virus responsible for AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). The initial AIDS, HIV infection is usually contracted through unprotected sex of all forms; sharing needles or injection drug equipment; un-sterilized tattooing, piercing or acupuncture needles or exposure in a health care institution. It can also be passed from mother to baby during delivery.
AIDS, HIV is not transmitted through casual contact like handshakes, hugs or even kissing. It can’t be caught from coughing or sneezing, giving blood, public pools, toilet seats, water fountains or any insect bites.
What is HIV AIDS?
HIV attacks the immune ...
(more)
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the virus responsible for AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). The initial AIDS, HIV infection is usually contracted through unprotected sex of all forms; sharing needles or injection drug equipment; un-sterilized tattooing, piercing or acupuncture needles or exposure in a health care institution. It can also be passed from mother to baby during delivery.
AIDS, HIV is not transmitted through casual contact like handshakes, hugs or even kissing. It can’t be caught from coughing or sneezing, giving blood, public pools, toilet seats, water fountains or any insect bites.
What is HIV AIDS?
HIV attacks the immune system. It is a progressive and chronic illness that leaves people open to serious infections and cancer. HIV can be controlled with expensive drug cocktails, but they will only give sufferers a few to about 10 years of protection. When HIV progresses to AIDS, the illness becomes a death sentence. There is no cure for AIDS.
Symptoms
For such a serious disease, AIDS, or more accurately HIV, first shows signs like those that come with a cold or flu. Some people may have symptoms that are similar to other sexually transmitted diseases or infections like mono and hepatitis. Fever, fatigue and rashes are not uncommon and can show up within days or weeks of exposure. Symptoms all depend on the individual. Some people experience very strong symptoms, while others experience none. Once HIV has progressed to AIDS, infections like pneumonia and tuberculosis can easily attack the body.
Testing
HIV can only be diagnosed through a blood test, which looks for antibodies to the disease. There is a period of up to six months, where a person can have the disease but no antibodies. This is because the body hasn’t yet had a chance to produce them. Frequent testing is important because AIDS, HIV is so hard to detect in the early stages.
How to avoid AIDS, HIV
The only way to make sure you don’t contact HIV is through practicing safe sex (condoms), avoiding drug use and going to reputable business for tattoos, acupuncture or other services that re-use needles. Ask to witness sterilization before you commit to any services. Aside from those precautions, you can avoid a lot of heartache by getting the test, to find out if you may already be affected by AIDS (HIV).
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