After I Begin Hiv Treatment How Long Does It Take For The Risk Of Sexually Transmitting Hiv To Become Effectively Zero
There is effectively no risk of sexual transmission of HIV when the partner living with HIV has achieved an undetectable viral load and then maintained it for at least six months. Most people living with HIV who start taking antiretroviral therapy daily as prescribed achieve an undetectable viral load within one to six months after beginning treatment.
A persons viral load is considered durably undetectable when all viral load test results are undetectable for at least six months after their first undetectable test result. This means that most people will need to be on treatment for 7 to 12 months to have a durably undetectable viral load. It is essential to take every pill every day to maintain durably undetectable status.
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Myth #: Straight People Dont Have To Worry About Hiv Infection
Its true that HIV is more prevalent in men who also have male sexual partners. Gay and bisexual young Black people have the highest rates of HIV transmission.
We know that the highest risk group is men who have sex with men, says Dr. Horberg. This group accounts for about 70 percent of new HIV cases in the USA, according to the CDC.
However, heterosexuals accounted for 24 percent of new HIV infections in 2016, and about two-thirds of those were women.
While the rates of Black gay and bisexual men living with HIV has remained relatively the same in the United States, overall rates of new HIV cases have decreased since 2008 . Diagnoses among heterosexual individuals in general decreased by 36 percent, and decreased among all women by 16 percent.
African-Americans face a higher risk of HIV transmission than any other race, no matter their sexual orientation. According to the CDC , the rate of HIV diagnoses for Black men is almost eight times higher than white men and even higher for Black women the rate is 16 times higher in Black women than white women, and 5 times higher than Hispanic women. African-American women contract HIV at
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What Are Viral Load Blips
Even if a person is durably undetectable and taking antiretroviral therapy daily as prescribed, they may experience small, transient increases in viral load called blips followed by a decrease back to undetectable levels. Having a blip is relatively common and does not indicate that antiretroviral therapy has failed to control the virus. Scientists are working to better understand what causes blips.
Facts About Hiv/aids In Africa
Human immunodeficiency virus, and its later, more severe stage, acquired immune deficiency syndrome is a virus that affects people all over the world. HIV/AIDS is especially prominent in Africa, where many people are not educated on how to prevent spreading the illness, and even more do not have access to treatment. Here are 10 facts about HIV/AIDS in Africa:
1. 1,000 children are infected with HIV every day.
2. 23 percent of children infected with HIV/AIDS are being treated.
3. 17 million Africans have died of AIDS since the virus was discovered.
4. There are 25 million Africans living with with the HIV virus.
5. 13 million African children are orphans because of HIV/AIDS.
6. 67 percent of people infected with HIV live in sub-Saharan Africa
7. 90 percent of children with HIV live in sub-Saharan Africa.
8. Only 11 percent of pregnant HIV-positive women in sub-Saharan Africa receive treatment to prevent spreading the virus to their child.
9. HIV/AIDS is the cause of about 1 million deaths in Africa every year.
10. HIV/AIDS has caused the life-expectancy in sub-Saharan Africa to drop to 54.4 years and, in some countries, less than 49 years.
Mary Penn
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Water And Diamonds Are Lesothos Biggest Treasures
Lesotho is rich in both water and diamonds. Being a mountainous country, Lesotho has many mountain streams with a potential to generate hydroelectric power. The country is nearly self-sufficient in electricity production. It also sells water and electricity to neighboring South Africa. In 2010, the country earned nearly US$70 million from its sale of both the resources to South Africa. Lesotho also has large diamond reservoirs and diamond export also earns great revenue for the nation.
Sex Is Safe When Both Partners Have Hiv
Myth. Just because you and your partner both have HIV, it doesn’t mean you should forget about protection when having sex. Using a condom or other latex barrier can help protect you from other sexually transmitted diseases as well as other strains of HIV, which may be resistant to anti-HIV medication. Even if you are being treated and feel well, you might still be able to infect others.
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Two Demographics Most At Risk Outside The Us Are Women And Girls
Women and girls make up more than half of those living with HIV around the world. In fact, young women aged 10-24 are twice as likely to contract HIV as males the same age.
A large part of this is due to the fact that, especially in lower-income countries, women have virtually no decision-making power when it comes to their sexual and reproductive health, explains Lobben. Due to social norms, many women find it difficult, if not impossible, to practice safe sex and use condoms.
Johnson & Johnson has vowed to become part of the solution. In 2015, the company became a major partner in the DREAMS initiative, a partnership between the U.S. Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief , the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and other groups aimed at reducing HIV infections among teen girls and young women in 10 sub-Saharan African countries.
As part of its commitment, Johnson & Johnson is providing up to $15 million in funding to help empower girls and young women by supporting such services as offering access to HIV testing and condoms.
The ambitious aim is that we can reduce the incidence of HIV in these communities by 40%, Bondurant says.
What Happens If I Stop Taking Antiretroviral Therapy
When therapy is stopped, viral load rebounds, and the risk of transmitting HIV to a sexual partner in the absence of other prevention methods returns. NIAID-supported research has provided clear-cut scientific evidence to support the benefits of staying on continuous antiretroviral treatment. In 2006, NIAIDs large clinical trial called SMART showed that people receiving intermittent antiretroviral treatment had twice the rate of disease progression compared to those receiving continuous treatment.
Taking antiretroviral treatment daily as directed to achieve and maintain durably undetectable status stops HIV infection from progressing, helping people living with HIV stay healthy and live longer, while offering the benefit of preventing sexual transmission. Stopping and re-starting treatment can cause drug resistance to develop, making that treatment regimen ineffective and limiting future treatment options.
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Myth #: You Can Tell If Someone Has Hiv/aids By Looking At Them
If an individual contracts the HIV virus, the symptoms are largely unremarkable. A person with an HIV infection might display symptoms that are similar to any other type of infection, such as a fever, fatigue, or general malaise. Additionally, the initial mild symptoms generally only last a few weeks.
With the early introduction of antiretroviral medications, the HIV virus can be effectively managed. A person with HIV who receives antiretroviral treatment is relatively healthy and is no different than other individuals who have chronic health conditions.
The stereotypical symptoms that people often associate with HIV are actually symptoms of complications that can arise from AIDS-related illnesses or complications. However, with adequate antiretroviral treatment and medications, those symptoms will not be present in an individual living with HIV.
You Cant Avoid Other Hiv
Myth. People with HIV can get infections like pneumonia, tuberculosis, candidiasis, cytomegalovirus, and toxoplasmosis. The best way to cut the risk is to take HIV medications. People with advanced HIV infection can prevent some of these infections with specific drugs in addition to antiretroviral therapy. You can lessen exposure to some germs by avoiding undercooked meat, litter boxes, and contaminated water.
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Who Is At Risk For Hiv Infection
Anyone can get HIV, but certain groups have a higher risk of getting it:
- People who have another sexually transmitted disease . Having an STD can increase your risk of getting or spreading HIV.
- People who inject drugs with shared needles.
- Gay and bisexual men.
- Black/African Americans and Hispanic/Latino Americans. They make up a higher proportion of new HIV diagnoses and people with HIV, compared to other races and ethnicities.
- People who engage in risky sexual behaviors, such as not using condoms.
Factors such as stigma, discrimination, income, education, and geographic region can also affect people’s risk for HIV.
Rash Related To Medication
While rash can be caused by HIV co-infections, it can also be caused by medication. Some drugs used to treat HIV or other conditions can cause a rash.
This type of rash usually appears within a week or 2 weeks of starting a new medication. Sometimes the rash will clear up on its own. If it doesnt, a change in medications may be needed.
Rash due to an allergic reaction to medication can be serious.
Other symptoms of an allergic reaction include:
- trouble breathing or swallowing
Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a rare allergic reaction to HIV medication. Symptoms include fever and swelling of the face and tongue. A blistering rash, which can involve the skin and mucous membranes, appears and spreads quickly.
When 30 percent of the skin is affected, its called toxic epidermal necrolysis, which is a life threatening condition. If this develops, emergency medical care is needed.
While rash can be linked with HIV or HIV medications, its important to keep in mind that rashes are common and can have many other causes.
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Lesotho Is Severely Afflicted By Hiv/aids
According to one report, nearly 50% of the women below the age of 40 in Lesotho suffers from HIV/AIDS. HIV is one of the biggest barriers to development in the country. The government here is constantly striving to overcome this obstacle that reduces the workforce of the nation and causes great economic losses due to increased expenditure on healthcare.
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Surprising Things You May Not Know About Hiv/aids Today
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or all the talk of the differences between millennials and preceding generations, theres one difference that’s based in fact: If you were born after 1980, youve never known a world without HIV and AIDS.
The HIV virus was first discovered by scientists in 1983, after doctors in Los Angeles and New York began reporting rare types of pneumonia and cancer among gay patients they were treating.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , young people between the ages of 13 and 24 today account for just over one in five HIV diagnoses. Over 80% of these cases occur in gay or bisexual males, and over half of them are African-American.
In fact, black, gay and bisexual men in the U.S. have a higher HIV rate than any other country in the world, says Alice Lin FabianoAlice Lin Fabiano,Global Director of Global Community Impact at Johnson & Johnson, Global Director of Global Community Impact, a division of Johnson & Johnson that aims to help change the trajectory of health for the most vulnerable populations in the world through strategic partnerships.
We hope that, with initiatives like these, we can help end HIV/AIDS within a generation, Fabiano says.
Is There Any Treatment Of A Cure For Hiv/aids
Currently, there is no cure for HIV/AIDS. People living with HIV will need lifelong treatment. The best treatments right now are combinations of prescription drugs. These medications include antiviral treatment, protease inhibitors and other drugs that help people who are living with HIV stay healthy. People living with HIV also can stay healthy by doing things like eating properly, exercising and getting enough sleep.
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What Is The Difference Between Hiv And Aids
The term AIDS refers to the most advanced stages of HIV infection. Most of the conditions affecting people with AIDS are opportunistic infections that generally do not affect healthy people. In people with AIDS, these infections are often severe and sometimes fatal because the immune system is so ravaged by HIV that the body cannot fight off the infection. Symptoms of opportunistic infections common in people with AIDS include:
- coughing and shortness of breath
- seizures and lack of coordination
- difficult or painful swallowing
- severe headaches
People with AIDS also are particularly prone to developing various cancers. These cancers are usually more aggressive and difficult to treat in people with AIDS.
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What Does It Mean To Be Durably Undetectable
Taking antiretroviral therapy daily as prescribed to suppress HIV levels leads to an undetectable status. A person is considered to have a durably undetectable viral load if their viral load remains undetectable for at least six months after their first undetectable test result. It is essential to continue to take every pill every day as directed to maintain an undetectable viral load.
Hiv Has A Powerful Opponent
Before 1996, contracting the HIV was basically a death sentence. But then, over the course of the next two decades, a regimen of drugs known as antiretroviral therapy evolved and came into use. This drug regimen helps prevent the virus from replicating and can help keep the infection from causing AIDS, transforming a fatal disease into a manageable one. These drugs have been an amazing scientific advancement, Dr. Santiago says. Most of the people who die nowadays are those who are unaware they have until symptoms become severe. Even people who think they may have been exposed to HIV have options if they act very quickly. The CDC advises you to alert your healthcare provider and start a regimen of ART medicines called post-exposure prophylaxis within 72 hours.
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