Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are two commonly publicized medical conditions which people are still surprisingly ignorant about in regards to true meanings of what each is. HIV is an infection, sexually transmitted, or transmitted by infected blood such as from medical waste or drug paraphernalia. HIV, which was once thought to be a homosexual disease, we now know does not discriminate against race, gender, ethnicity, or sexual preference, in addition, we know sexual contact does not have to even be a factor when the virus is transmitted. HIV is a precursor to AIDS. AIDS is a syndrome which is a collection of HIV symptoms. It is characterized by a breakdown of the immune system, which leaves a person at very high risk of developing many deadly diseases, some of which would not be deadly to a otherwise healthy human. Below is a very brief breakdown of the difference between the two.
Signs and Symptoms - HIV
- fatigue
- weight loss
- muscle or joint pain
- painful or swollen glands
- night sweats
- fever
- diarrhea
- anemia
- rash
- pharyngitis
- mouth sores
Management - HIV
- regular testing, HIV may go undetected for up to 8-10 years
- there is no vaccine
- seek medical attention immediately if there was even a possibility of a contraction occurring
Prevention - HIV
- abstinence, or lack of sexual contact is the most sure way to eliminate risk of infection
- use of protection when having sexual intercourse or related activities
- discretion in sexual partners as well as the number of partners
- personal protective equipment (ie. gloves) when dealing with medical waste such as blood soaked material
- never share things such as needles in drug use, tatooing, and piercing
- avoid contact with others' bodily fluids, feces, and semen
- avoid drugs (and alcohol) that impair judgement
Signs and Symptoms - AIDS
- any or all listed in HIV section above
- known associated illnesses include:
- encephalitis
- meningitis
- TB (tuberculosis)
- vascular and digestive complications
- renal (kidney) pathologies
- central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) infections
- vascular (blood) and digestive complications
Management - AIDS
- currently a known drug cocktail seems to be helping with the management of AIDS
- constant and direct care from a physician will be needed
Prevention - AIDS
- it is the long term effect of HIV, therefore there is no prevention of AIDS alone, only HIV as listed above
