How to spread awareness about HIV in the society?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. HIV infects and destroys immune system cells, making it hard to fight off other diseases. When HIV has severely weakened our 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 (WBCs) and severely damaged immune systems. They may also have additional illnesses that indicate the progression 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 cannot fight 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.

The number of new HIV infections has declined. In 2019, 1.2 million people in the US were living with HIV. About 13 % of those do not know they have it, which is why routine testing for HIV is important.

You can have HIV without having any symptoms. This is why it is important to get tested even if you do not feel sick. Sometimes you will have flu-like symptoms when you first get infected with HIV. A few symptoms can include:

1. Fever.

2. Chills.

3. Fatigue.

4. Sore throat.

5. Muscle aches.

6. Night sweats.

7. Rash.

8. Swollen lymph nodes.

9. Mouth sores.

HIV is transmitted through:

1. Sexual intercourse.

2. Homosexuality.

3. Blood transfusion.

4. Needle prick injury.

Tell society to practice safe sexual intercourse and ensure the easy availability of condoms. Give awareness of tattoos and intravenous (IV) drug abusers.

Tests for HIV investigation:

• Viral markers.

• HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen).

• Anti-HCV (hepatitis C virus antibody test).

• HIV test by PCR (polymerase chain reaction).

Treatment depends on MDTA (multidisciplinary team advice) which involves a physician or HIV expert, psychologist, and psychotherapist. Medications such as NRTIs (nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors) are faulty versions of the building blocks that HIV needs to make copies of itself. Examples include Abacavir, Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate, Emtricitabine, Lamivudine, and Zidovudine. Retrovir (Zidovudine) is no longer suggested for routine use in the United States because of its high rates of toxic effects.

Combination medicines such as Emtricitabine-Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate and Emtricitabine-Tenofovir Alafenamide Fumarate are also available. Protease inhibitors (PIs) make HIV protease inactive. HIV protease is another protein that HIV needs to make copies of itself. Examples include Atazanavir, Darunavir, and Lopinavir-Ritonavir.

Educate society by avoiding the risk factor of HIV.

I hope you find this information helpful.

Thank you.