HIV
AIDS is defined as a disease caused by HIV, a gastrointestinal disorder that inhibits the normal functioning of the immune system. The virus destroys specific cells of the immune system. These cells are called T cells and are responsible for the proper response to infection , And thus destroys the body’s ability to fight infection. On the other hand, the person with HIV does not show the signs of infection at first, does not suffer from any symptoms for a variable period of time, and then begins the outbreak of the tumor in the lymph node ( Infertility did not contract AIDS-related symptoms). In addition, symptoms include excessive fatigue, weight loss, and rashes on people with the disease.
How to Communicate
The disease is transmitted through several methods, including:
- Sex: Infection is caused by the virus entering the body through oral ulcers or cracking that sometimes activates the rectum or vagina during sexual activity. This is done through vaginal, anal or oral sex with an infected partner, leading to blood entry Semen or vaginal discharge into the body of the other partner.
- Transfusion: Hospitals and blood banks are now testing HIV on transfused blood units, so the risk is lower.
- Share needles: HIV is transmitted through needles and injections contaminated with infected blood, and exposure to infection can also be shared through intravenous drug use, as well as infectious diseases such as hepatitis.
- During pregnancy, delivery or through breastfeeding: As infected mothers can infect their children with the disease, and the risk of infection can be reduced by receiving treatment for the disease during pregnancy, significantly reducing the risk of amniotic disease.
Symptoms of the disease
Early symptoms
HIV does not cause any early symptoms, as patients with symptoms of the disease may confuse them with flu symptoms. Early symptoms of HIV are called acute viral retrovirus syndrome. Early symptoms may include:
- Pain in the muscles and joints.
- Abdominal cramps, nausea or vomiting.
- Headache.
- Sore throat.
- diarrhea.
- Inflammation of the lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, and thigh.
- Fever.
- Skin rash.
- Lose weight.
There are many people who have no symptoms or have mild symptoms so they do not notice them at this stage. These initial symptoms can range from mild to severe and usually disappear on their own after 2-3 weeks, so the HIV infection that is not treated, Become more dangerous and develop in stages, and depend on these stages on the symptoms and the amount of virus in the blood.
Symptoms are late
Where the symptoms of delayed disease, and include the following:
- Other diarrhea or changes in the intestine.
- Changes in nails.
- Fever.
- Swelling lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, and thigh.
- Tingling, numbness, and weakness in the limbs.
- Loss of appetite or weight loss without reason.
- Fatigue.
- Dry cough or shortness of breath.
- The outbreak of cold sores or genital herpes recurrent ulcers.
- Pain when swallowing.
- Confusion, difficulty concentrating, or change of personality.
- Night sweats.
- Mouth ulcers or mouthworm infection (castles).
Symptoms in women and children
It is worth noting that there are also symptoms in women, where HIV is suspected in women when at least one of the following symptoms occurs:
- Infection of more than 3 fungal vaginal infections, in one year, which is not related to the use of antibiotics.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease.
- The appearance of an abnormal result to examine a pop test or cervical cancer.
- Children suffering from different symptoms, such as: delayed growth or spleen enlargement.
The production of viruses can be curbed by mixing drug compounds with each other, stopping or delaying the progression of the disease to AIDS, where there is no cure for HIV, called HIV-fighting drugs (ART) ). These drugs target the virus in different ways. On the other hand, most HIV-positive guidelines recommend starting treatment shortly after they are diagnosed with the disease. Delay or prevent the progression of the disease improves the overall health of the infected person and reduces the likelihood of transmission to another person.