HIV/AIDS is a major worldwide public health concern with ongoing spread across the world. Hitherto, according to World Health Organization, it has claimed approximately 44 million lives. Continuous global efforts and strategies are implemented in hope to manage this health challenge. Encouraging individuals to get HIV tested is a critical step in identifying affected individuals, allowing appropriate support and medical care be given without further delay and complications.
The article aims at improving the understanding of HIV and AIDS, increasing awareness of the importance of early screening and treatment of HIV, allowing those living with HIV a chance to live a good long quality life and protecting their loved ones.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a viral infection whereby the virus attacks a person's immune system. HIV virus targets the peron's white blood cells, in particular CD4+ T-lymphocyte cells, compromising a person's ability to fight infection. As HIV virus is chronic and there is currently no cure, the persistent infection results in progressive destruction of the white cells, eventually leading to a weakened immune system, and susceptibility to various infections.
AIDS also known as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is an advanced stage of HIV infection. According to World Health Organisation, AIDS is defined when the CD4 counts are below 200 cells/mm3. This is the end stage of HIV infection. Due to the extent of debilitation of immune system, a person with AIDS is predisposed towards opportunistic infections and can eventually succumb to the disease.
HIV can be transmitted through
HIV cannot be transmitted through shaking of hands, hugging, sharing meals or drinks, kissing or other daily usual contacts.
HIV can affect anyone regardless of the person's socioeconomical background.
One may have higher chance of contracting HIV if one:
HIV can present itself with a myriad of symptoms. One can even be without any symptoms, even when they are HIV positive.
The symptoms of a person with HIV depend on which stage of HIV that they are in.
During the first stage of HIV, 2-4 weeks following contracting the infection, 2/3 of the infected person developed influenza-like symptoms such as:
Following this acute phase of non-specific viral symptoms, if a person did not receive HIV treatment, the symptoms will resolve over time and progress into chronic HIV phase. During this phase, most infected person (even without treatment) can feel completely well, without symptoms for years.
Overtime, the uncontrolled HIV virus continues to weaken the immune system resulting in symptoms such as
As time goes by, the immune cells in a HIV infected person continue to dwindle to a critical stage where one starts to develop opportunistic infections. (infections that usually do not occur in a healthy average immune system, and only occur in a person whose immune system is severely compromised). One can develop infections such as
Do not let your health take the chance. If you have potential exposure to HIV infection, or have any symptoms suggestive of HIV, speak to your doctor and get screened.
If HIV is controlled appropriately, one can halt the progression of HIV infection into AIDS. The cornerstone of managing HIV infection and preventing AIDS is via introducing antiretroviral therapy (ART) as early as possible in an infected person.
Early screening and detection of HIV become vital in picking up HIV infection, allowing treatment to be started without further delay.
Effective antiretroviral therapy is needed to be taken daily to control the virus and prevent the virus from further replication. Furthermore, antiretroviral therapy is able to reduce the HIV viral load to an undetectable level. This allows an infected person's immune system to be reinstituted, recovered and halt the eventual progression to AIDS. With a stable immune system, one will have a lower risk of developing HIV-related chronic infections.
HIV can be asymptomatic. Even with symptoms, as discussed, signs and symptoms during early HIV infection are always non-specific. The only way of knowing a person's HIV status is via HIV testing.
Picking up HIV early is imperative as It is the golden window to administer antiretroviral medication to impede further replication of HIV viruses in the body resulting in progressive weakened immunity. In other words, antiretroviral therapy reinstitutes a HIV person's immune system. This allows a person with HIV to have a chance to live a long good quality of life. If the HIV infection was picked up much later or not even being picked up, when the immune system is severely compromised, the untreated HIV person will be progressively and repeatedly plagued by various infections or even succumb to infection due to the body's failed immune system.
While there remains no cure for HIV infection, the advancement of antiretroviral drugs are effective in halting the virus from continuously replicating and damaging further the immune system. Antiretroviral medication is for life and should not be stopped. In those who are on antiretroviral therapy, HIV viral load can be controlled to an undetectable level. This allows people living with HIV to have an opportunity to live a full life with good quality just like a person without HIV. To add things further, HIV person who are well-controlled with antiretroviral therapy has lower risk of spreading the virus to their sexual partners.
In those with advanced stages of HIV/AIDS, healthcare goal focus more on managing infection, managing HIV viral load, comfort care to sustain a person's quality of life as much as possible.
The concept of HIV infection as a 'death-sentencing' disease is obsolete following medical advancement of effective antiretroviral therapy. With proper early care and long term follow up, HIV infection can be deemed a chronic medical illness, requiring long term medication, regular care and follow up.
Concerted efforts from policy maker, healthcare workers and individuals are required to be proactive in getting screened for HIV. This is the major step enabling early treatment to be given to HIV individuals, allowing them to have a good quality and long life, and reducing further transmission of disease to others.
Whether you're experiencing symptoms, have had a recent exposure, or simply want reassurance, getting tested is the first step towards protecting your health. Early diagnosis allows treatment to begin sooner, helping prevent complications and reduce the risk of transmission.
At DB Clinic, we offer confidential HIV testing and comprehensive STD screening in a private and professional setting. Our experienced doctors are here to answer your questions and provide personalised care every step of the way.
References:
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