Health A to Z

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

HIV

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) damages the immune system cells and weakens the body’s natural ability to fight diseases and infections. 

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or AIDS describes the potential life-threatening illnesses and infections that happen when HIV damages the immune system. While AIDS cannot transmit from one person to another, HIV can. 

There is no cure for HIV, but there are effective medications and treatments that enable people with the virus to liver longer and lead a healthy life. 

With the help of early diagnosis and effective treatments, most people with HIV won’t develop AIDS-related diseases or illnesses, which lead to a near-normal lifespan. 

HIV symptoms

Most people with HIV experience short flu-like illnesses after 2–6 of infection, which can last for a week or two; after these symptoms, there won’t be any visible symptoms for years, but the virus will continue to damage the immune system. 

So, people with HIV will not realize it until they get tested, and some might require frequent tests as they might be at high risk. 

HIV causes

The body fluids of an infected person are the only way to transmit HIV; fluids include smen, blood, breast milk, vaginal fluids, and anal fluids, but the virus doesn’t transmit through saliva, sweat, or urine. The virus is fragile and doesn’t survive outside the human body for long. Unprotected intercourse is one of the common ways to transmit HIV. Other ways include:

  • Sharing, syringes, needles, or other injecting equipment
  • Transmission from mother to baby during birth, breastfeeding, or pregnancy
HIV symptoms

HIV treatments

The doctors will prescribe antiretroviral medications for HIV to stop the virus from replication and allow the body’s immune system to repair itself to prevent further damage. Doctors might also suggest a combination of medicine, and it’s crucial to follow them as prescribed. HIV treatments aim to have an undetectable viral load during further tests. 

HIV preventions

People who have unprotected intercourse or share needles are at high risk of HIV. The effective ways to prevent HIV are:

  • Using a condom during intercourse
  • Post-exposure prophylaxis
  • Pre-exposure prophylaxis
  • Treatments to reduce the viral load 
  • Don’t share needles, injections, syringes, swabs, or spoons. 

Consult a sexual health doctor to know the best way to reduce your risks of HIV. 

Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD Microbiology
Page last reviewed: 16 JULY 2022