While most people infected with HIV/Aid do not experience any symptoms of the disease, some may have flu-like symptoms two to four weeks after being infected. Other symptoms include fever, night sweats, muscle aches, sore throat, and fatigue. These symptoms can last a few days or several weeks, depending on how severe the infection is. People with HIV can transmit the virus to other people while they are not sick.
People infected with HIV are often very socially stigmatized. A rash may occur after taking an HIV medication for two weeks or more, but it will eventually clear up. A rash due to an allergic reaction is much more serious. A rare, potentially life-threatening condition called Stevens-Johnson syndrome can result in blistering on the skin or mucous membranes. A severe case known as toxic epidermal necrolysis can be fatal.
Those living with HIV/Aid must take good care of themselves. They should eat a well-balanced diet, exercise regularly, and get enough rest. They should also stay away from unhealthy activities like smoking and animal feces. They should wash their hands frequently. The use of antiretroviral therapy can also help people with HIV manage opportunistic infections. Though HIV and AIDS are related, they are not the same.
Once HIV has spread throughout the body, people may develop AIDS. Although there is no cure for HIV, treatment is effective and life expectancy is nearly the same as a non-infected person. Currently, 1.2 million people in the U.S. are living with the infection. A person infected with HIV may experience any of the following symptoms. A healthcare provider may recommend a blood test after a person has been exposed to the virus.
HIV is spread through blood to blood contact or unprotected sexual contact. HIV weakens the immune system by attacking the T-cells in the blood. Without treatment, this virus can remain in the body for decades, allowing people to develop life-threatening infections. AIDS results from a severely damaged immune system. If you have HIV, you are at high risk for developing AIDS. If you are diagnosed with this disease, you will be able to receive HIV/Aid medicine to fight the infection.
HIV infection can be traced back to a specific chimpanzee. The earliest human cases of HIV infection were found in the DRC in 1959. A genetic study of the blood sample indicated that HIV-1 likely evolved from a single virus during the late 1940s or early 1950s. Although this was not conclusive, it was a significant step forward in understanding the causes of the virus. In the meantime, the virus is still a deadly threat and the symptoms of the disease continue to spread worldwide.
