|
HIV stands for Human
Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV is a virus that takes over certain immune
system cells to make many copies of itself. HIV causes slow but constant damage
to the immune system.
AIDS stands for Acquired Immune
Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS is the condition diagnosed when there are a
group of related symptoms that are caused by severe HIV infection. AIDS makes
the body vulnerable to life-threatening illnesses called opportunistic
infections.
Normally, the
human immune system is the body’s protection against bacteria's, viruses, etc.;
it is like a coat of armor. When HIV enters the body, it starts poking holes in
the armor. Eventually, the armor becomes very weak and unable to protect the
body. Once the armor is very weak or is gone, the person is said to have
AIDS. An AIDS diagnosis is generally made when either the body's protective
T-cells drop below a certain level, or the HIV-positive individual begins to
experience opportunistic infections. An opportunistic infection is an infection
that would not normally affect an otherwise healthy person. Oftentimes, it's
these infections that are the cause of illness or death in HIV-positive
individuals - not the virus itself. If people do not get any treatment for HIV
disease, it takes an average of 8-10 years to progress from HIV to AIDS
HIV
is transmitted through four body fluids: blood,
semen, vaginal fluid, and breast milk. In order to pass HIV from one person to
another, HIV-infected fluid from one person needs to get into the bloodstream of
another person. HIV is usually transmitted through sharing needles, unprotected
anal, vaginal, and sometimes oral sex, and from mother to infant before or
during delivery or while breastfeeding.
In developed countries like the U.S., formula feeding is strongly recommended
over breastfeeding for babies of HIV-positive mothers. Whether choosing
breastfeeding or formula, there should be little or no switching between the
two, as doing so could put the child at a higher risk of contracting HIV, since
baby formula can be harsh and weaken the lining of a baby's stomach, giving a
path for HIV to enter the baby's bloodstream.
Becoming educated
about HIV and understanding how it is transmitted is the first, and perhaps most
important way to prevent the spread of HIV. It is essential for people to make
informed decisions about the level of risk they are willing to take, based on
what is realistic for them
Education
www.edu.safeurlives.com
INSURANCE
HEALTH INSURANCE
|
