HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV)

ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SUNDROME (AIDS)

Condition

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), a life-threatening disease that destroys the body's ability to fight infection and increases the risk of developing certain cancers. HIV is diagnosed by testing your blood for antibodies to the virus that develop from 6 weeks to 12 months after infection. If you have been exposed to the virus, you should get tested as soon as you are likely to develop antibodies so that treatment can be started right away if you have been infected. The term AIDS applies to the most advanced stages of HIV infection.

Causes

HIV/AIDS is not spread by casual contact such as hugging or sharing eating utensils, towels, telephones or toilet seats. The virus is passed from one person to another through body fluids including:

It can be transmitted:

Far more rarely, HIV can also be spread:

There is currently no cure for HIV/AIDS nor is there a vaccine to prevent it. There are, however, medications that can slow down the progression of HIV and prolong the life of an infected person. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists highly recommends that all women be screened for HIV infection before getting pregnant. There are medications a pregnant woman with HIV can take that greatly reduce the chances of her passing the virus on to the baby.

Symptoms

You may not have any symptoms when you first become HIV-infected, but within a month or two after exposure to the virus, you may have a flu-like illness with:

These symptoms usually go away within a month, but you still can transmit the virus to others very easily. Some people begin to show more severe and persistent symptoms within a few months, while others may be asymptomatic for 10 years or more. Symptoms that may appear in the time before the onset of AIDS include:

Symptoms of the opportunistic infections common in people who have developed AIDS include:

WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR FOR AIDS / HIV

Call Your 911 Now (you may need an ambulance) If

Call Your Doctor Right Away (night or day) If

Call Your Doctor During Regular Office Hours If

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HOME CARE ADVICE FOR AIDS / HIV

  1. Take your HIV medication as directed.
  2. Treat minor pain with nonprescription medication such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Motrin), naproxen (Aleve) or, if you are not pregnant, aspirin.
  3. Eat a balanced diet.
  4. Get enough rest and sleep.
  5. Exercise regularly.
  6. Consider joining an HIV support group.
  7. If you have not already been immunized, get vaccinated for pneumococcal pneumonia, hepatitis A and B, influenza, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, whooping cough and other illnesses to which you may be susceptible.
  8. To prevent transmitting the virus to others:
    • Avoid sexual contact. Use a condom if you do engage in sexual activities.
    • Do not share needles or syringes.
    • Do not donate blood or blood products.
    • Do not breast feed.
    • If you are pregnant or become pregnant, talk to your doctor about taking medicines that may help protect your baby.
    • If you were recently diagnosed as HIV-positive, contact everyone who may have been exposed so they can be tested for the virus.
  9. Using a male latex condom or a female polyurethane condom may provide partial protection during oral, anal or vaginal sex. Only water-based lubricants should be used with male latex condoms.
  10. Avoid smoking, alcohol and illegal drugs
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References

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Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new healthcare information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional