How do we know if we have AIDS or not?
In the section of diseases, today we introduce AIDS to you. What are the symptoms and how do we know if we are infected with this disease or not? We will read together the questions and answers that many users may have
AIDS is the plague of the new century. In this minute that you are reading this article, a person under the age of 15 will die due to AIDS; And this bitter incident is repeated every minute. Every second, a teenager under the age of 15 gets AIDS, and one out of every six people who die from this disease is under the age of 15. AIDS has claimed 25 million victims so far; That is, more than the number of victims of the plague in the 19th century and even more than the number of victims of World War I and II. something must be done; And to do anything effective about AIDS, we need to know it better. How well do you know this disease?
1) Where did AIDS come from?
It is said that the first patient infected with AIDS was identified in Congo in 1959.
The exact way of infection of that patient is still in question. American doctors believe that AIDS has been introduced to America since the early seventies.
In New York and Los Angeles, between 1979 and 1981, rare cases of incurable diseases in gay men were reported, raising the suspicion of doctors.
But the name AIDS (abbreviation of “Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome”) was officially given to this disease in 1982.
The virus that causes this disease (HIV) was identified and named in 1983. Doctors believe that the original source of this disease is a chimpanzee, and they also speculate that the hunters who first got their hands contaminated with the blood of that damned chimpanzee spread the virus to humans.
2) What is the difference between HIV and AIDS?
HIV is a virus, AIDS is a disease. HIV is the name of the virus that causes AIDS. This virus can enter from the body of an infected person to the body of a healthy person and make him sick. But in what ways? Mainly through sexual secretions and blood. Of course, infected women can also transmit HIV to their children during pregnancy and childbirth and even afterwards (through breastfeeding).
3) Why is this disease called AIDS?
AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. The word “acquired” emphasizes that the disease is not genetic but is spread from one infected person to another (or others).
“Immune deficiency” also means that this disease causes malfunction of the body’s immune system.
“Syndrome” also means a set of symptoms that manifests itself in the form of a disease and is considered an indicator of that disease.
In the case of AIDS, this set of symptoms shows itself in the form of infections or certain malignancies and a decrease in the number of the body’s defense cells. AIDS is diagnosed by a doctor with the help of clinical and laboratory tests.
4) How does HIV cause AIDS?
This virus attacks a specific type of blood cells (from the T-cell family) and destroys them. T cells play a major role in the body’s immunity. In fact, it is the destruction of these cells that indicates a very, very strong possibility that a person has AIDS. People infected with this virus carry it in their body for years without showing the symptoms of AIDS, because their immune system is not so weak yet. The rate of destruction of T cells is directly proportional to the number of viruses in a person’s blood. That is, if we can reduce the number of HIV viruses in the blood with special anti-viral drugs, the weakening of the immune system will be postponed for a long time.
5) How long does it take from the introduction of HIV to the onset of AIDS?
Until 1996, doctors thought that half of people infected with the virus would develop AIDS within 10 years of infection. But since 1996 and following the development and supply of strong and effective anti-viral drugs, the length of this time has increased significantly. In addition to antiviral drugs, there are other drugs that can help in the treatment or prevention of some diseases associated with AIDS. Although these drugs have no effect on AIDS itself. It is because of these medical advances that the statistics related to possible AIDS patients in the coming years should be reviewed and recalculated. Just like other diseases, diagnosing AIDS as soon as possible can open the hands of doctors to treat the disease.
6) What should be done if the HIV test is positive?
If you test positive for HIV, you should act as soon as possible. You should start medication immediately and change your lifestyle. Immediate medical care can delay the onset of the disease and prevent some serious AIDS-related diseases. The following measures can also help to maintain your health:
Even if you don’t feel sick, be sure to consult an infectious disease specialist. Make sure that the person or group you are consulting must have experience in this field. Currently, there are many drugs to treat HIV infection. The sooner these treatments are done, the more effective they will be.
Be sure to do the tuberculosis test. You may be infected with tuberculosis and be unaware of its existence. If TB is not diagnosed, it can be a problem for you. If diagnosed in time, it can be successfully treated.
Smoking, drinking too much alcohol, or using drugs like cocaine may weaken your immune system. There are programs that will help you to cut down or completely stop these bad habits.
In addition, there are many things that you can do to stay healthy, such as exercising, walking, etc. The most effective way to avoid transmitting the virus to others is to completely avoid sexual contact. If you still want to have sex, be sure to use latex condoms. Because although these types of condoms are not completely safe, they are very effective and greatly reduce the possibility of transmitting the virus to your partner, provided that they are used consistently and correctly. If you are allergic to latex, you can use plastic (polyurethane) condoms.
7) How is the HIV virus transmitted?
When the blood, semen, pre-seminal secretions, vaginal secretions or milk of an infected person enters the body of a healthy person, the HIV virus can also be transmitted. This virus can enter the body through a vein (for example, drug injection), anal wall, vulva, cervix, male penis hole, mouth and other mucous membranes (eyes, inside the nose) or cuts and also through skin wounds. Healthy and scar-free skin is a strong barrier against this virus and other infectious agents. The following are the most common ways HIV can be transmitted from person to person:
Having any sexual contact with an infected person
▪ Using syringes and other injection devices belonging to an infected person
▪ From an infected woman to her child before or during childbirth or during breastfeeding
HIV can be transmitted through infected blood or blood products. In most countries, blood donors are tested for HIV to ensure the blood is healthy. Some medical personnel have been infected with this virus as a result of touching an infected needle head. In rare cases, contamination of medical personnel has taken place through the contact of contaminated blood with an open wound or by splashing contaminated blood into the eyes or nose.
8) Which body secretions can transmit HIV?
Blood, semen, vaginal secretions, breast milk and other body fluids that contain blood may contain a high concentration of the virus. The following also include fluids and secretions that may contain the virus and spread it to medical personnel:
Fluid around the brain and spinal cord, joint fluid and fluid in the fetal water sac.
HIV virus has also been seen in the saliva and tears of some infected people, although the amount is very small. It should be noted that the very small presence of this virus in any liquid of the body does not mean that that particular liquid can transmit the virus. This virus has not been found in the body sweat of infected people. Contact with saliva, tears or body sweat of infected persons has not been reported to cause virus transmission.
9) Can a person be infected with HIV by kissing?
Even if the other person is infected, your healthy skin will be a strong barrier against the virus. No one gets HIV from a simple kiss, hug, or handshake. Kissing with an open mouth may transmit the virus with a very low risk percentage. But if this type of kiss lasts too long, it may damage the mouth or tongue and allow the virus to spread. Of course, this is in the case that there are wounds or scratches inside the mouth or on the tongue.
10) How can addicts reduce the risk?
Of course, the first and best advice is to quit addiction as soon as possible and under the supervision of experts. But those injecting drug addicts who cannot quit their addiction for any reason should:
▪ Never reuse syringes, water or drug preparation equipment or share them with others.
▪ Get your syringe from reliable places (pharmacies or free syringe delivery centers).
▪ Use a new sterile syringe for each injection.
▪ If possible, use sterile distilled water for injection.
▪ Use a new container and filter to prepare the drug.
Before injection, clean the injection site with alcohol cotton.
▪ Do not leave the used syringe in place and dispose of it in a hygienic way.
▪ Injection drug addicts and their spouses must use condoms for sexual intercourse to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases.
▪ People who intermittently use injectable drugs should be regularly and periodically tested.
11) How do I know if I have AIDS or not?
The only way to know is to do a test. It is not possible to be satisfied with the existing symptoms only. Many people infected with this virus remain asymptomatic for years. The following may be warning signs of infection with this virus:
Rapid weight loss, dry cough, recurring fevers or heavy night sweats, unexplained excessive weakness, enlarged lymph nodes in the armpit or groin or neck, diarrhea lasting more than a week, white patches or any unusual spots on the tongue and inside the mouth or throat, pneumonia (side chest), red, brown, pink or purple spots on or under the skin, inside the mouth, nose or eyelids, memory loss, depression and other nervous problems.
Of course, having the above symptoms does not necessarily mean HIV infection. Each of these symptoms can be caused by other diseases. Again, it is emphasized that the only sure way to prove the infection is to conduct a test. Of course, relying only on the symptoms, it is not possible to say whether a person has AIDS or not. The symptoms of AIDS are similar to the symptoms of many other diseases. AIDS requires a medical diagnosis and must be diagnosed by a doctor based on specialized tests.
12) How long after possible exposure to the virus should we take a test?
HIV diagnosis tests are actually based on the measurement of antibodies produced by the immune system of an infected person. In most cases, the body raises the level of antibodies to a level that can be detected by laboratory methods 2 to 8 weeks (25 days on average) after the virus enters the blood. In 90% of cases, antibodies are made in the first 3 months after the virus enters the body. In rare cases, the production of antibodies may take up to 6 months.
12+1) What should we do to prevent AIDS?
If you have an encounter with an injection drug addict, be careful; Because they generally have hepatitis or AIDS. Especially those who are among the medical personnel, such as doctors, dentists and even hospital staff, must wear gloves and be completely careful when dealing with these high-risk people.
▪ Do not use a shared toothbrush.
Stay loyal to the foundation of the family and having a proper marital relationship and do not ignore it. At the same time, one should not think that simply using a condom insures a person against AIDS; Because another sexually transmitted disease may cause infection.
August 19, 1392 00:03
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