HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, the virus that causes AIDS. The virus is spread from person to person by contact with body fluids, such as blood and semen. It is transmitted through sexual contact among infected persons, use of contaminated needles for drug use, transfusions of blood or blood products from an HIV infected person (rare), or to children born to an HIV infected mother. Casual contact does not spread the virus. Once it has infected someone, HIV gradually weakens and damages the immune system. It is common to be infected with HIV for months to years, possibly without knowing it. HIV infection progresses to AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) after certain opportunistic infections or cancers are contracted, or immune system function is measured below a certain level. There is currently no cure for AIDS, and it is considered to always be fatal.
Symptoms may include:
Fatigue, fever, night sweats
Frequent respiratory or skin infections
Unexplained weight loss
Frequent diarrhea
Swollen lymph glands
Frequent yeast infections of mouth and vagina
Spleen enlargement
Frequent mouth sores
It is common for initial infection with HIV to produce NO symptoms. It can be years before symptoms develop.
What your doctor can do:
Diagnose HIV infection or AIDS by asking about your risk factors and symptoms, performing a physical exam and laboratory blood tests
Direct your medical treatment of AIDS toward limiting the rate of immune system damage and relieving symptoms
Prescribe anti-viral medications when appropriate to control the rate of immune system damage
Prescribe medications to treat infections or other complications
Use combination therapy with multiple drugs, which are resulting in longer life spans after diagnosis
What you can do:
The only certain way to avoid sexually transmitted HIV infection is to abstain from all sexual activity, OR
Limit sexual relations to one sexual partner who is not infected and is without other sexual partners or other high-risk behavior
Correctly and consistently use condoms for all sexual activity to reduce the chance of infection
DO NOT share syringes or needles, or use needles that are not sterile.
For more information contact the AIDS Treatment Network @ 1-800-734-7104.
Contact your doctor if you are at high risk as described above and have not been tested for HIV.
