Is Hiv And Aids The Same Thing

How Do You Prevent The Transmission Of Hiv

Thankfully, we’ve come a long way. Today, there is a big push to educate people around transmission and safe sex particularly about condom use. is helping to prevent the spread of HIV in African countries by supporting reproductive health education and youth engagement initiatives, especially among young women. Those at high risk of contracting HIV can also consider pre-exposure prophylaxis , taking a daily HIV medication to help fend off the virus.

The conversation around HIV is always changing. While we’re far from the crisis of the past, we still have a long way to go to fully end the transmission of HIV. Thats what makes people power so important. Together, we can equip people with the knowledge and tools needed to manage even extinguish the virus. Join in working towards a future free of HIV.

What Is Art And How Does It Help Prevent Hiv

Antiretroviral therapy is a combination of medicines that slows down the effects of HIV in your body and can help you stay healthy for many years. It can also lower or even stop your chances of giving HIV to anyone else.

ART lowers the amount of HIV in your body sometimes to the point where HIV wont show up on standard blood tests. If your HIV viral load is so low that certain tests cant see it, its called undetectable. When someone has an undetectable viral load, they cant spread HIV to others during sex.

Its important to remember that even with an undetectable viral load, HIV is still present in your body. If you stop treatment your viral load can go up, making it possible to pass HIV to others you have sex with. Your doctor or nurse can help you find the treatment thats best for you to help keep your viral load low, so you can stay healthy.

How Do I Protect Myself From Hiv

Always use a condom. You can get free condoms from the sexual health clinic. Condoms are the best way to protect yourself and others from HIV and other STIs. If you havenât liked using condoms in the past try different ones, there are many different varieties now designed to increase pleasure and sensation.

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Hiv And Aids Treatment

More than 25 antiretroviral therapy drugs are approved to treat the virus. Your doctor will prescribe a mix of these medications.

The drugs will help stop HIV from making copies of itself. That will keep you healthy and lower your risk of spreading it.

Thereâs no cure for HIV or AIDS. ARTâs goal is to lower your viral load and keep your immune system healthy. The idea is to lower the viral load to âundetectableâ and keep it that way, by taking your medicine every day as prescribed.

Are Hiv And Aids The Same Thing

HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. In the United States, at present, its not as common for people with HIV to develop AIDS because of the developments seen in HIV treatment often referred to as antiretroviral therapy .

Early treatment and detection are crucial when it comes to stopping the progress of HIV. This means that knowing the early signs and symptoms of HIV as well as regularly checking your sexual health is key to knowing your HIV status.

Common symptoms of stage 1 of the HIV infection include flu-like symptoms such as:

• Fever
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Fatigue

If the HIV infection is not detected and progresses into stage 3 , the bodys immune system will begin to deteriorate and the individual will be at risk of experiencing severe illnesses. Although there is no specific test used to diagnose AIDS, a doctor is likely to take into account the individuals symptoms as well as the viral load and CD4 count .

See also:Can I Boost my CD4 Count?

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Whats The Actual Difference Between Hiv And Aids

HIV/AIDS. The two go together. When you see them in the media, read about them online, or hear them on the news, its always HIV/AIDS.

But why do people say both? Doesnt HIV mean AIDS? If you have HIV do you also have AIDS? Is HIV just a different way to say AIDS?

All of these questions are valid. Especially when HIV and AIDS are used interchangeably. It might seem like the difference between the two doesnt really matter, or one means the other. But thats not true.

HIV and AIDS are not the same.

HIV is a virus. AIDS is a condition. But what does that actually mean?

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. Its a virus that can only infect humans and leads to the weakening of the immune system. The immune system is the bodys system for fighting disease. When its compromised or weakened, a person becomes susceptible to all kinds of bacteria, viruses, or other agents that cause disease.

When HIV is left untreated, it can wreak havoc on a persons immune system. As this happens, the body is less able to fight off infections. AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, which means the immune system has been made less effective by HIV. When this happens, a person is considered to have an acquired immune deficiency, or AIDS.

HIV Doesnt Always Mean AIDS

Its important to note that you cannot have AIDS without being infected with HIV. But people can, and do, live long lives with HIV and never develop AIDS.

SoWhen in Doubt Get Tested what?

I Was Told That Hiv And Aids Are The Same Thing Is There A Difference Between The Two

Yes, there is a difference between HIV and AIDS.

HIV is a virus that attacks an individuals immune system. HIV is transmitted through bodily fluids such as blood, breast milk, semen, vaginal fluids, and rectal fluids. It is NOT spread through water, air, pets, or toilet seats.

AIDS develops once HIV has severely damaged the bodys immune system. People may not know they are living with HIV until it becomes AIDS, so its crucial that people know their HIV status. If someone is living with HIV, taking their medicine as prescribed can reduce or stop the progression of the virus to AIDS.

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How Long Does It Take Hiv To Turn Into Aids

If a person with HIV goes undiagnosed and without treatment, its possible for the virus to continue to develop into the next stages. According to Mayo Clinic, it can take around 8-10 years for HIV to develop into AIDS without the appropriate treatment .

It is now not as common for HIV to progress into AIDS with early diagnosis and prompt testing to thank for allowing people with HIV to live long and happy lives.

See also:What is the Treatment for HIV? Benefits and Side Effects

If you are experiencing symptoms of early-stage HIV and believe you may have been exposed to the virus, its important to find out more. This can be done by taking a test with your doctor or from home with an at-home lab test.

LetsGetCheckeds at-home HIV Test involves a simple finger prick sample with online results available within 2-5 days. Our dedicated medical team will be available throughout the process to offer a helping hand should you need it.

You consider taking a test if:

• You should also consider getting tested if:
• You become sexually active
• You have had unprotected sex
• You are experiencing symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection
• You are entering into a new sexual relationship
• You have received a notification from a previous partner that they are infected

Which Is Worse Hiv Or Aids

AIDS is the last and most advanced stage of HIV. A person is considered to have progressed into AIDS when the following occurs:

• CD4 cell count drops below 200
• Develop one or more opportunistic infections

AIDS is characterized by the occurrence of severe illnesses, referred to as opportunistic infections. These infections tend to occur more often in those with AIDS and affect people with weakened immune systems more severely than people with healthy immune systems. Some of the most common opportunistic infections include:

• Herpes simplex virus

See also:Opportunistic Infections: Types, Causes, and Prevention

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Should I Get Vaccines If I Have Hiv/aids

Check with your healthcare provider. Certain vaccines are generally recommended, including:

• Influenza vaccine.
• Human papillomavirus vaccine if you are age 26 or younger.
• Meningococcal series of shots.
• Pneumonia vaccine.
• Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis vaccine, with a repeat every 10 years of the tetanus/diphtheria vaccine.

You should probably avoid live vaccines, such as the ones for chickenpox and measles, mumps and rubella . This is true especially if your CD4 numbers are 200 or lower. Make sure you discuss vaccine questions with your healthcare provider.

HIV can affect how well the vaccine works. It can also make your viral load increase for a time because your immune system is stimulated by the vaccine.

Who Has Hiv In Wales

Anyone can get HIV if they are having sex, it doesnât matter whether you are straight or gay or where you come from. Although HIV is more common in men who have sex with men , bisexual men and African communities, there are now more people being infected outside of these groups. HIV is an issue for everyone.

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Malignancies Associated With Aids

• Organ-specific autoimmune diseases Type I diabetes mellitus, Graves disease, multiple sclerosis, Good pasture syndrome
• System specific autoimmune diseases SLE, Scleroderma, Rheumatoid arthritis

As previously mentioned, an autoimmune response is mounted against self-antigens. But, it is impossible to completely eliminate these intrinsic molecules with antigenic properties from our body. Therefore, autoimmune diseases cause a chronic tissue damage because of the repeated attempts to get rid of the self-antigens.

Ending The Hiv Epidemic In Illinois By 2030

In addition to providing HIV testing and treatment, PPIL participates in the Illinois HIV Integrated Planning Council through the Illinois Department of Public Health, in support of the Getting to Zero initiative, which aims to end the HIV epidemic in Illinois by 2030. We also support local health departments and agencies like U of Is Positive Health Solutions, Friends of Central Illinois, and Greater Community AIDS Project of East-Central Illinois.

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Understanding The Difference Between Hiv And Aids

In 1991, when NBA basketball star Magic Johnson announced he was HIV-positive, the world was stunned and sad, fearing the athlete had a death sentence. Many people assumed HIV and AIDS were the same, and at that time, few treatments were available for AIDS.

Although HIV and AIDs are related, they are different illnesses, and treatment and prognosis for them are different as well.

Ask The Expert: Are Hiv And Aids The Same Thing

Today is World AIDS Day, an observance dedicated to showing solidarity with those living with and affected by HIV around the world and remembering those who have lost their lives to AIDS.

As part of our ongoing Ask the Expert series, we are turning to our HIV Prevention Fellows to answer some common questions about HIV and AIDS. Our fellows work in the community to provide accurate information about the importance of getting tested for HIV, methods of HIV prevention, including PEP and PrEP medication, and overall sexual health.

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False Comparisons Ignore The Reality

Though numerous media sites gleefully blared Carlson’s ridiculous comparison across their sites, they all ignore the reality that PLWH are legally required to disclose their HIV status before having sex in 12 states, while only nine states have HIV disclosure laws that take preventative measures such as condoms, PrEP, or antiretroviral treatment into account.

PLWH who are convicted of failing to disclose their status prior to engaging in sexual activitywhich, in some states, includes non-transmissive acts such as kissing or oral sexcan be hit with sentences ranging from fewer than 10 years to life in prison, as well as being automatically placed on the sex-offender registry. By engaging in false equivalencies, Carlson attempted to cloak himself in protections that should be reserved for but are often denied to PLWHall while ignoring that his platform could have been used to destigmatize HIV.

This brings us to right-wing radio host Dennis Prager, whoduring an interview in early November with the Republican-aligned media site, Newsmaxspread another bout of false equivalencies by claiming that it would have been a shame if people with AIDS during the 1980s had been treated the same way that the unvaccinated are today. His exact words were:

How Can I Keep From Getting Hiv

The best way to protect yourself is to avoid activities that put you at risk. There’s no way to tell by looking at someone if he or she has HIV. Always protect yourself. Use latex condoms whenever you have any type of sex .

• Don’t use condoms made from animal products.
• Use water-based lubricants .
• Never share needles to take drugs.
• Avoid getting drunk or high. Intoxicated people might be less likely to protect themselves.
• Consider getting testedit is really important to be aware of your HIV status.

If you are a healthcare worker, you are at a slightly higher risk of getting HIV from a needle-stick injury, skin contact with contaminated fluid or from human bites. You should follow universal precautions:

• Always wear protective equipment when dealing with blood and body fluids.
• Follow careful hand-washing guidelines when dealing with such fluids.
• Follow safe handling guidelines for needles and sharp instruments.
• Be aware of post-exposure policies at your workplace.

If you are in a relationship with a partner who has HIV, or you are at high risk for any other reason, consider using pre-exposure prophylaxis, commonly called PrEP. This means taking one of two medicines every day, emtricitabine-tenofovir or emtricitabine-tenofovir alafen .

If you are a person with HIV who is in a relationship with a person who is HIV-negative, you should also be on a medication regimen.

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How Is Hiv Detected

Today, HIV can be detected with a number of simple saliva or blood tests. A saliva test looks for antibodies, the natural defense the body puts up to fight the infection. But results typically show up 3 to 12 weeks after exposure a long time to wait for such sensitive news. For a faster turnaround, theres the nucleic acid test , which looks directly at the blood. This test is effective 7 to 28 days after exposure.

Hiv And Stds Are Spread In The Same Ways

You can get HIV or an STD by having sex without a condom with a person who is already infected. HIV and some STDs can be passed from a mother to her baby while she is pregnant, during birth or through breast feeding. HIV and some STDs can also be spread by sharing drug “works” with someone who has HIV or an STD.

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Why Are Only Some Affected

During the development of T cells, they are made tolerant to self-antigens. However, in some people this tolerance is either lost or disrupted because of genetic and environmental factors, giving rise to autoimmunity.

There are several defense mechanisms that promote the apoptosis of the self-reactive T cells. Despite these countermeasures, some self -reactive cells can remain in our body. In a genetically susceptible individual under the appropriate environmental conditions, these cells get activated resulting in an autoimmune disease.

Aids And Autoimmune Disease Research

HIVthe virus that causes AIDScan also cause an immune dysregulation, which can lead to the development of autoimmune and systemic diseases.

In one 2017 study, a cohort of people living with HIV had certain autoimmune diseases at a more frequent rate than the general public. These include:

• Immune thrombocytopenic purpura
• Inflammatory myositis
• GuillainBarré syndrome

A separate 2017 study found that people with HIV/AIDS had an increased risk of developing some autoimmune diseases, specifically:

• Sjögren syndrome
• Uveitis

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Hiv Vs Aids: Whats The Difference

• Outlook

Overview

It can be easy to confuse HIV and AIDS. They are different diagnoses, but they do go hand-in-hand: HIV is a virus that can lead to a condition called AIDS, also known as stage 3 HIV.

At one time, a diagnosis of HIV or AIDS was considered a death sentence. Thanks to research and the development of new treatments, people with HIV at any stage today are living long, productive lives. An HIV-positive person who adheres to regular antiretroviral treatment can expect to live a near-normal life span.

Are Women More Likely To Get Hiv

Yes. Biologically speaking, a woman is more vulnerable to heterosexual transmission of the disease because the genitalia are easily exposed to seminal fluids.

Gender inequality has great influence on the spread of HIV/AIDS among women. In some cultures, many women and girls are often put in situations where they engage in non-consensual sex or have sex for money.

In the U.S., minority communities have been hit the hardest by HIV. African American and Hispanic women together represent less than 25% of all U.S. women, yet they account for more than 78% of AIDS cases reported among women in the country.

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How Is Hiv Treated

There are many ways to treat the different stages of HIV, but they usually involve a combination of two or three antiretroviral drugs . One focus of s work to date has been to make ARVs available to mothers in developing countries. To avoid passing HIV from mother to child, the World Health Organization recommends a regimen of three drugs during pregnancy and breastfeeding for the mother and a six-week course of a drug called nevirapine for their newborn babies.

These drugs can have side effects, including nausea, headaches, anemia and depression, but if treated, the life expectancy of an HIV positive person is comparable to someone whos HIV-free. If it isnt treated, the virus will lower a persons immunity, causing them to develop AIDS.