![]() In 2021, there were 650,000 deaths and about 38 million people worldwide living with HIV. Between the first time AIDS was readily identified through 2021, the disease is estimated to have caused at least 40 million deaths worldwide. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 1981 and its cause-HIV infection-was identified in the early part of the decade. HIV made the jump from other primates to humans in west-central Africa in the early-to-mid 20th century. It has attracted international medical and political attention as well as large-scale funding since it was identified in the 1980s. The disease has become subject to many controversies involving religion, including the Catholic Church's position not to support condom use as prevention. There are many misconceptions about HIV/AIDS, such as the belief that it can be transmitted by casual non-sexual contact. The disease also has large economic impacts. Recognized worldwide in the early 1980s, HIV/AIDS has had a large impact on society, both as an illness and as a source of discrimination. Disease in a baby can often be prevented by giving both the mother and child antiretroviral medication. Ways to avoid catching HIV and preventing the spread include safe sex, treatment to prevent infection ( "PrEP"), treatment to stop infection in someone who has been recently exposed ( "PEP"), treating those who are infected, and needle exchange programs. Oral sex has little risk of transmitting the virus. Some bodily fluids, such as saliva, sweat, and tears, do not transmit the virus. HIV is spread primarily by unprotected sex (including anal and vaginal sex), contaminated hypodermic needles or blood transfusions, and from mother to child during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding. Early testing can show if treatment is needed to stop this progression and to prevent infecting others. ![]() ![]() Without treatment a person living with HIV can expect to live for 11 years. The late stage is often also associated with unintended weight loss. Eventually the HIV infection increases the risk of developing other infections such as tuberculosis, as well as other opportunistic infections, and tumors which are rare in people who have normal immune function. Typically, this period is followed by a prolonged incubation period with no symptoms. During this period the person may not know that they are HIV-positive, yet be able to pass on the virus. Following initial infection an individual may not notice any symptoms, or may experience a brief period of influenza-like illness. Without treatment the infection can interfere with the immune system, and eventually progress to AIDS, sometimes taking many years. Īn HIV-positive person who has an undetectable viral load as a result of long-term treatment has effectively no risk of transmitting HIV sexually. An HIV-positive person on treatment can expect to live a normal life, and die with the virus, not of it. Įffective treatment for HIV-positive people (people living with HIV) involves a life-long regimen of medicine to suppress the virus, making the viral load undetectable. Infection with HIV ( Human Immunodeficiency Virus), a retrovirus, can be managed with treatment but without treatment can lead to a spectrum of conditions including AIDS ( Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). Near normal life expectancy with treatment ġ1 years life expectancy without treatment Ħ4.8 million – 113 million total cases Safe sex, needle exchange, male circumcision, pre-exposure prophylaxis, post-exposure prophylaxis Unprotected anal or vaginal sex, having another sexually transmitted infection, needle sharing, medical procedures involving unsterile cutting or piercing, and experiencing needlestick injury ![]() ![]() Later: Large lymph nodes, fever, weight loss The red ribbon is a symbol for solidarity with HIV-positive people and those living with AIDS. ![]()
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