Foremost, we should speak about the signals. HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection happens when the virus gets into the body of human. It signifies that that person has the virus, that transports the virus, but that person is not positive. HIV infection, with no visual symptoms and signs of sickness can last for years and stay unrecognised. AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is the final and most serious level of HIV infection. In essence, it is a complete worsening of the defense (immune) function of the organism, and the person is subject to different infections. We can identify four points of HIV infection:

- Acute HIV syndrome, followed by a latent period
- Growth of lymph nodes – a raising generalized lymphadenopathy
- AIDS-related complex (ARC)
- AIDS

Some time after a someone has been infected with the HIV virus, more or less 70% of them get signals of severe HIV syndrome. Symptoms last about 2 calendar weeks and they are similar to flu signals. Unluckily, nearly all of the infected do not discover them, but identification of these symptoms in this early stage would give to better handling. Some of the symptoms are: fever, sore throat, rash, diarrhea, headache, loss of appetite, nausea…

After the initial reaction of the body, starts out latent period during which there is no visual aspect of any symptoms, except sometimes slenderly enlarged lymph nodes. HIV antibodies can be found by examination in the lab, but the virus is tough to trace in the blood. At this point, the patient is contagious, and he can transfer HIV to other people.

Following stage is growth of lymph nodes. This phase can be passed over and patients can shift immediately from latency phase in the ARC point.
The key signals of ARC are the temperature, long-term diarrhoea and weight loss along with some opportunistic infections, mouth candidiasis, vaginal candidiasis, herpes zoster, peripheral neuropathy, cervical dysplasia…

At Last, AIDS phase. The patient in this point can recover from opportunistic infections, but they shortly re-occur, with strong and frequent symptoms. Healing of them all gets more and more hard and in the end the patient dies. Results are visual on the brain, bowels, junctions, kidneys, blood forming organs and skin. Common symptoms are present as in the ARC: temperature, diarrhea and loss of bodily mass. Weight loss is in particular pronounced and the patient in the last phase looks like a real skeleton.

AIDS is an immune system disorder in which the body’s ability to defend itself is greatly diminished. When human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV, the virus that causes AIDS) invades key white blood(immune) cells called T lymphocytes and multiplies, it causes a breakdown in the body’s immune system, eventually leading to overwhelming infection and/ or cancer—and , ultimately, to death.

Those who abuse drugs and those who engage in sexual intercourse with persons whose sex or drug history places them at risk of HIV, with persons whose sex or drug history is unknown, or who have had multiple partners, are likewise considered to be at risk for the disease.

Worldwide, more than 40 million people are carrying the HIV virus and more than 20 million have died of complications of AIDS. In Africa, roughly 8,500 new infections occur each day. Alarmingly, millions of people living outside industrialized countries are infected with HIV, and most of these cases are due to a different strain of the virus than cases commonly studied in the Unites states and Europe. An estimated 5 million people in low- and middle income countries do not have the AIDS drugs that could save their lives.

CAUSE AND RISK FACTORS

Most people get the HIV virus by:
• Having sex with an infected person.
• Sharing a needle (shooting drugs) with someone who’s infected.
• Being born when their mother is infected, or drinking the breast milk of an infected woman.

SIGN AND SYMPTOMS

The first symptoms of HIV and AIDS are nonspecific and variable. One of the most common is a tongue coated with white bumps. This is oral thrush, or candidiasis. Candidiasis indicates a compromised immune system. Intestinal parasite is another common problem. Other possible symptoms include: ——-
• Prolonged, unexplained fatigue.
• Swollen glands( lymph node)
• Unexplained fever lasting more than ten days.
• Excessive sweating (especially at night).
• Mouth lesions, including thrush and painful, swollen gums.
• Sore throat.
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

HIV/AIDS SELF TEST

There is a new test available called the OraQuick HIV-1 Antibody Test .Because of the potential public health benefits of rapid HIV testing the CDC and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service are working with officials to make the test widely available.
• The FDA has approved only one home test kit, the Home Access Express HIV-1 Test
• System from Home Access Health Corporation. Beware of fraudulent or unproven home
• HIV test kits. Doctor say if a kit claims to provide” instant” test results through a visual
• Indicator such as a colored dot on a piece of paper after saliva has been applied, the
• Outcome may be unreliable. If you believe you have used a questionable test kit, contact
• Your doctor for another test or use the approved test kit.

HERBAL TREATMENT

AIDS is an immune system disorder in which the body’s ability to defend itself is greatly diminished. Organic supplements without any side effects are very useful in HIV/AIDS and make your immune system strong and healthy.

Patients who do get confirmed with AIDS just consider this as an extended life sentence. I mean just consider what would have happened if you had got diagnosed with the disease? If you had a family the first concern would be who will take care of them when you are gone, right? Its not a disease that you can expect a cure for very soon. Although researchers are doing their best to find newer and better drugs to control the disease, there are very few chances of that happening soon. But with the newer drug medications, it has now become possible to improve the life span of the patient such that they can survive up to 15 years with proper care and medication. It’s also a good idea to get yourself checked regularly if you have more than one sexual partner to ensure that you do not have the disease. But if the test comes out positive, don’t despair. Here are a few things you can do-

What to do if you have had a positive test?

As soon as your test comes out positive there are chances that your stress levels will soar. After all, it isn’t good news is it? You will feel scared, all alone and worried about a lot of things. But please remember that its not all bad. With greater advances in the field of medicine, antiretroviral therapy has now made several new drugs available to the common person to prolong life. Get in touch with an AIDS support group so that you can find out what to do to make your life a much better experience.

Choose a good doctor!

Getting AIDS is not your fault. You could have got it due to several reasons like blood transfusions, injections or even from a careless partner. But no matter how you got it, no one has the right to judge you. Find a doctor who is considerate enough to care for you and your needs at this sensitive time. If he is critical of your case, your care and your lifestyle, then you need to find another doctor.

Getting information about the disease!

AIDS is undergoing changes by leaps and bounds. There are so many new articles on the disease that it can be confusing. But no matter what happens, you have to keep updated on the disease and the latest medications, preventions and lifestyle changes that other patients have tried. Try joining online support groups to ensure that you have the latest information and news about the disease to ensure a longer life.

Do you need to tell the world you have AIDS?

I personally don’t think anyone has a right to find out personal information about anyone unless it is authorized. That means, if you do not want to tell anyone about your disease; it is your legal right to do so. But you do require the support of your family as you struggle through the complications that the disease will bring. Tell your family, they will support you.