4 May 2021
It is a chronic disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that affects the immune system, weakening the body’s ability to defend itself against infections, leaving it vulnerable, and putting life at risk. It is transmitted through sexual contact or infected blood and can be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding the baby.
It is important to mention that the virus is not contracted by hugging, kissing, or shaking hands with an infected person, nor does it spread through the air, water, or food. This infection can be contracted by anyone regardless of age, race, gender, or sexual orientation.
The risk factors that increase its appearance are:
Symptoms vary depending on the stage of infection. So it is usually classified into:
Acute HIV:
During this stage, the infection spreads faster.
Chronic HIV:
It can last for years, where the virus is in the body, but there are no symptoms, although some patients develop other serious ailments at the same time.
Symptomatic HIV:
With the spread of the virus in the body and the weakening of the immune system, the following symptoms may appear:
If you have these symptoms or suspect you are infected with HIV, you must see a specialist to assess you, since this disease, if not treated in time, can trigger AIDS, which is when HIV is in an advanced state and has seriously impaired the immune system, leading to various infections or other conditions such as cancer.
Once your doctor analyzes your symptoms and clinical history, they will perform various diagnostic tests, including:
If you are diagnosed with HIV, your doctor will assess whether you require additional tests to determine the progress of the disease. There is currently no cure for HIV/AIDS, but antiretroviral therapy, which is a combination of several drugs, helps:
Remember that the best way to prevent HIV/AIDS is by taking care of your health and avoiding the risk factors that can contribute to its spread.
At ABC Medical Center’s Internal Medicine Department, we offer health care services with the highest quality and safety, from the prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and monitoring of infectious, respiratory, endocrinological, dermatological, rheumatic, nephrological, gastrointestinal, and hematological pathologies of both chronic-degenerative diseases and acute conditions, through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary model.
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