HIV - Human immunodeficiency virus, is a virus which attacks the immune system of an infected person; if left untreated it further degenerates to AIDS - acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
Despite years of research, a proven effective cure hasn't yet been found for HIV, infected persons live with it for life. Infected persons can live a long healthy life if they adhere to medical advice and take proper medication.
The major ways of getting infected with HIV include, having unprotected anal or virginal sex, sharing unsterilized sharp objects, through mother - child transmission and breastfeeding.
The HIV virus is quite fragile and cannot survive for long outside the human body. Contrary to certain myths HIV cannot be transmitted via sweet, saliva or urine with a certain percentage of possibility of contacting it through oral sex.
Early diagnosis of HIV is a sure way of ensuring an infected person stays healthy. Post-exposure prophylaxis(PEP) can help stop an exposed person from being infected if started within 72 hours of possible exposure to the virus. A negative or positive result should be confirmed within a 1 - 4 months period.
The reason for treatment of an HIV patient is to have an undetectable viral load. Since the HIV virus posses ability to be resistant to a particular antiretroviral drug, most patients take a combination of drugs as advised by their doctors which are to be taken daily.
Without treatment the immune system of the individual is attacked, giving room for various sickness to attack the body. HIV patients are encouraged to, exercise regularly, stop tobacco intake, eat healthy diets and take their medication.
Constant routine medical checks is also advised.
Enenim Ubon writes on health related matters and other contemporary issues.
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