HIV infection
HIV Infection
HIV infection (pronounced: /ˌeɪtʃ.aɪˈviː ɪnˈfɛkʃən/) is a medical condition caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The term originates from the English language, with 'HIV' being an acronym for Human Immunodeficiency Virus and 'infection' derived from the Latin 'infectio', meaning 'to infect'.
HIV infection is characterized by the progressive deterioration of the immune system, leading to 'immune deficiency'. The immune system is considered deficient when it can no longer fulfill its role of fighting off infections and diseases, making the body more susceptible to various types of infections, cancers, and other diseases that people with healthy immune systems can fight off.
Transmission
HIV is transmitted through direct contact with certain body fluids from a person with HIV. These body fluids include blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. The transmission can occur during sexual intercourse, sharing of needles, or from mother to child during childbirth or breastfeeding.
Symptoms
The symptoms of HIV infection can vary greatly from person to person. However, common symptoms include fever, swollen glands, sore throat, rash, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, and headache. These symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of HIV infection is primarily based on testing of blood or oral fluid for the presence of HIV antibodies or the virus itself. The HIV test is the only sure way to determine if a person has been infected.
Treatment
While there is currently no cure for HIV infection, it can be controlled with proper medical care and antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART involves taking a combination of HIV medicines every day to prevent the virus from multiplying, which helps to slow the progression of the disease.
Related Terms
- AIDS: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, the most advanced stage of HIV infection.
- CD4 Cells: A type of white blood cell that is specifically targeted and destroyed by HIV.
- Viral Load: The amount of HIV in the blood.
- Opportunistic Infections: Infections that occur more frequently and are more severe in individuals with weakened immune systems, including people with HIV.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on HIV infection
- Wikipedia's article - HIV infection
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