What are the ways to manage and prevent HIV transmission?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 37-year-old married man. I was recently diagnosed with HIV, and I am unsure how I may have contracted it. I have been experiencing symptoms such as fever, fatigue, nausea, and body aches.

Could these symptoms be related to HIV?
I would greatly appreciate it if you could explain the common symptoms of HIV in detail.
Additionally, I would like to understand the treatment options available.
How can I prevent the transmission of HIV to others?
What are the primary ways HIV is transmitted?

I would be grateful for any advice and guidance you can provide.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. HIV infects and destroys cells of your immune system, making it hard to fight off other diseases. When HIV has severely weakened your immune system, it can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

AIDS is the final and most serious stage of an HIV infection. People with AIDS have very low counts of certain white blood cells and severely damaged immune systems. They may have additional illnesses that indicate that they have progressed to AIDS.

Without treatment, HIV infections progress to AIDS in about 10 years.

HIV infects white blood cells of your immune system called CD4 cells, or helper T cells. It destroys CD4 cells, causing your white blood cell count to drop. This leaves you with an immune system that can not fight off infections, even those that would not normally make you sick.

HIV initially makes you feel sick with flu-like symptoms. Then it can hide in your body for a long time without causing noticeable symptoms. During that time, it slowly destroys your T-cells. When your T-cells get very low or you begin to get certain illnesses that people with healthy immune systems do not get, HIV has progressed to AIDS.

How the transmission happens-

Sexual intercourse.
Homosexual.
Blood transfusion.
Needle.

Investigations:

Do viral markers:

HbsAg.
ANTI HCV.
HIV test by PCR.

Treatment:

MDTA (multidisciplinary team advice) take advice from a Physician, HIV expert, Psychologist, and Psychotherapist.
NRTIs (nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors) are faulty versions of the building blocks that HIV needs to make copies of itself. Examples include Abacavir (Ziagen), Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Viread), Emtricitabine (Emtriva), Lamivudine (Epivir) and Zidovudine (Retrovir). Retrovir is no longer suggested for routine use in the United States because of high rates of toxic effects.
Mixes of medicines also are available, such as Emtricitabine-Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Truvada) and Emtricitabine-Tenofovir Alafenamide Fumarate (Descovy).
Protease inhibitors (PIs) make HIV protease inactive. HIV protease is another protein that HIV needs to make copies of itself. Examples include Atazanavir (Reyataz), Darunavir (Prezista) and Lopinavir-Ritonavir (Kaletra).

Prevention:

The way to protect the others:

Practice safe sexual intercourse.
Do an ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) test on your wife to see whether she is positive or not.

I hope I have answered your query.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.