Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) progressively weakens the immune system. The combined effects of HIV infection are known as HIV-disease, and the fourth stage is known as acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS); a syndrome is a group of related medical conditions.

Transmission

According to Avert.org, the three most common methods of transmission of HIV are through unprotected sex, the sharing of hypodermic needles (as in illegal drug use) and from a pregnant or nursing mother to her child. It is possible in countries without screening procedures to be infected through organ, tissue or blood donations, and health-care workers sometimes become infected in accidents with needles.

Effects

HIV infects cells of the immune system called CD4 T-cells. Instead of helping the body fight off disease, infected T-cells produce more copies of the virus and infect other T-cells. This causes the immune system to be increasingly less able to fight off disease.

Stages

HIV-disease has four stages. The first is acute HIV infection, when some people have a brief, flu-like illness. The next and longest stage is asymptomatic HIV; it lasts a number of years, and there are no symptoms at this time. Third-stage HIV is called symptomatic HIV, and people develop chronic flu-like symptoms, along with symptoms such as weight loss and night sweats. During fourth-stage HIV disease (AIDS), the immune system has become severely damaged, and infected people develop multiple infections.

Identification

HIV infection can be discovered only through HIV testing, which can be performed on blood, oral fluid or urine. Other blood tests or the evaluation of symptoms alone cannot reveal HIV infection.

Treatment

HIV is treated with antiretroviral drugs, which work to slow down the virus as it infects T-cells. These drugs must be taken at several times each day and usually are used in groups in a therapy called HAART (highly active antiretroviral therapy).

Prevention/Solution

HIV infection can be prevented through abstinence, and the risk of infection can be greatly reduced through the use of condoms during sex and by not sharing needles, according to Avert.org. There is no cure for HIV/AIDS.

Source:

Avert.org: HIV Transmission

Avert.org: HIV Prevention

Resource:

HIVTest.org