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Archive for April, 2010

The Severity of HIV Infections

Tuesday, April 6th, 2010

The spreading of the HIV in the body starts with the virus splitting the intrinsic cryptogram of cells utilized in the person’s immune system, specifically the ‘CD4 cells’ and additionally utilizing the natural intrinsic matter for it to generate copies. The body can produce more ‘CD4′ cells, but after some time the HIV would decrease the amount of ‘CD4′ cells to an extremely low level that will result to a no longer functioning immune system.

‘Primary HIV infection’ is the term used to indicate the first phase of the infection wherein greater than one half of those infected by the virus, develop symptoms which occurs between 15 to 45 days after infection. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, joint and muscle pain, swelling of glands, easily getting tired and emergence of rashes on the person’s chest. Symptoms are usually mild and people tend to link these symptoms to other problems like cold or fever. The mentioned symptoms do not progress for a certain period reaching the stage known as ‘Asymptomatic HIV infection’.

To begin treatment, one would need to get a referral to a HIV clinic and get counseling. Next, blood tests would have to be done frequently as these tests are needed in order to verify the amount of virus in the body and the remaining CD4 cell count. Unfortunately, there is no available vaccine that is accessible in the market which can completely cure HIV completely; however, there are drugs that are available to slow down the rate of the multiplication of the virus and will also give you a longer life span. There is also a variety of therapies done and may be used in conjunction with medication to give the person an improved life.

Prevention is always better than cure and this principle holds an exceptional significance when it comes to HIV/AIDS. AIDS is one such disease that does not have any permanent cure as available treatment options are only effective in dropping the symptoms associated with the disease. In such situation, it is vital to have adequate protection so that you do not get the infection. Also, early treatment and diagnosis can prolong the progression of the HIV. Getting routine tests at STD testing clinics would be advantageous to you if you are already sexually active.