Signs of HIV AIDS usually do not appear immediately when someone is newly infected with HIV. Because at the beginning of the infection, the symptoms that appear are similar to the symptoms of the common cold. HIV is often only detected when it has entered an advanced stage.
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the immune system. Without a strong immune system, the body has difficulty fighting infection, so people with HIV are more susceptible to disease.
Explanation About HIV
HIV works by destroying white blood cells that play an important role in the immune system. The more white blood cells are damaged, the weaker the immune system.
Many people think that HIV is AIDS and vice versa. Even though being infected with HIV does not always lead to AIDS if the status of HIV infection is quickly detected and treated.
At very severe levels of HIV infection, the body's immunity is greatly reduced, making the body more susceptible to infections and cancer. This deadly condition is called AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).
However, HIV infection can take several years to develop into AIDS.
HIV AIDS Symptoms and Signs
Many people with HIV do not know they are infected. This is because the symptoms and signs of HIV/AIDS in the early stages often do not cause severe symptoms. HIV infection to AIDS is divided into 3 phases, namely:
Phase one: acute HIV infection
The first phase generally appears after 1-4 weeks of HIV infection occurs. In this early phase, people with HIV will experience flu-like symptoms, such as:
- Ulcer
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Sore throat
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle ache
- Rash
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Sweating
Symptoms and signs of HIV / AIDS can appear because the immune system is trying to fight the virus. These symptoms can last for 1-2 weeks or even more.
The second phase: the latent phase of HIV
In this phase, people with HIV/AIDS do not show typical signs and symptoms, and can even feel healthy. Whereas secretly, the HIV virus is proliferating and attacking white blood cells that play a role in fighting infection.
In this phase, the signs of HIV/AIDS are not visible, but sufferers can still transmit it to others. At the end of the second phase, the white blood cells decrease so drastically that more severe symptoms begin to appear.
Third phase: AIDS
AIDS is the toughest phase of HIV infection. In this phase, the body almost loses its ability to fight disease. This is because the white blood cell count is far below normal.
Signs of HIV AIDS at this stage include drastic weight loss, frequent fever, fatigue, chronic diarrhea, and swollen lymph nodes.
Because in the AIDS phase, the immune system is very weak, so people with HIV/AIDS will be very susceptible to infections and certain types of cancer. Diseases that usually occur in people with AIDS include:
- Fungal infections of the mouth and throat
- Pneumonia
- Toxoplasmosis
- Meningitis
- Tuberculosis (TB)
- Cancers, such as lymphoma and Kaposi's sarcoma
HIV Prevention and Treatment
Prevention and early treatment of HIV infection is the main key so that this condition does not develop into dangerous AIDS.
Therefore, living a healthy lifestyle and avoiding risky behaviors, such as casual sex or sharing needles, are effective ways to prevent HIV/AIDS.
To avoid HIV and AIDS, you must implement the following:
- Use a condom during sexual intercourse. Use condoms correctly to avoid leakage.
- Not changing partners.
- Avoid direct contact with other people's body fluids, for example through wounds or sex
- Do not use personal equipment such as toothbrushes, razors, and sex toys together.
- Initiate ARV treatment if you are at risk of exposure to the HIV virus. In addition, do regular HIV status checks.
Understand that HIV is transmitted through bodily fluids, such as blood, breast milk, semen, and vaginal fluids. HIV cannot be transmitted through saliva, insect bites, food, or drink. In addition, HIV is also not transmitted through the use of the toilet, or shaking hands and hugging with sufferers.
Until now, the drug to cure HIV infection has not been found. However, HIV can still be controlled by taking antiretrovirals (ARVs), which are drugs that work by preventing viral duplication.
Antretrovirals are available in tablet form and must be taken daily. Consumption of this drug on a regular basis can slow the course of HIV disease and prolong the life expectancy of sufferers. Without this treatment, HIV can progress to AIDS more quickly.
Immediately check yourself and do an HIV detection test if you are at risk of infection or experiencing symptoms and signs of HIV/AIDS. Don't be shy or embarrassed to consult a doctor and get tested for HIV, because early treatment can slow the progression of HIV infection to AIDS.