Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the immune system, specifically targeting CD4 cells (also known as T cells), which are important for fighting off infections. If left untreated, HIV can lead to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), which can be fatal.
HIV is primarily spread through sexual contact, sharing needles or other equipment used to inject drugs, or from an infected mother to her baby during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. The virus can also be spread through blood transfusions or organ transplants, although this is now rare in the United States due to screening of the blood supply.
Symptoms of HIV can include flu-like symptoms, such as fever, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes, as well as other symptoms like headaches, muscle aches, and sore throat. However, many people who are infected with HIV do not experience any symptoms for several years.
There is currently no cure for HIV, but there are antiretroviral medications available that can slow the progression of the virus and greatly improve the quality of life for those living with HIV. These medications work by preventing the virus from replicating in the body, which helps to prevent damage to the immune system.
It is important to get tested for HIV if you think you may be at risk, and to practice safe sex and safe injection practices to prevent the spread of the virus. Additionally, if you are HIV-positive, it is important to work with a healthcare provider to create a treatment plan and to adhere to that plan in order to keep your viral load (the amount of HIV in your blood) as low as possible.
References:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). HIV/AIDS. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/index.html
- World Health Organization. (2020). HIV/AIDS. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/health-topics/hiv-aids#tab=tab_1
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2019). HIV/AIDS basics. Retrieved from https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics
- Mayo Clinic. (2019). HIV/AIDS. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hiv-aids/symptoms-causes/syc-20373507
- AIDSinfo. (2019). What is HIV? Retrieved from https://www.aidsinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv-aids/fact-sheets/19/45/what-is-hiv
Note: It's important to keep in mind that some of the information in this post might not be up to date as the information changes frequently. The references that I provided are just an example of some resources that you can use to gather more information. You can check the last update date of the resources and use the most recent information for your blog post.