What is HIV and AIDS?
What is HIV virus? What is AIDS disease?
It is known that AIDS disease called “Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome” is caused by the virus called HIV. This virus enters our body in 3 ways; Through blood, through sexual intercourse, from mother to baby during childbirth or through breastfeeding. Our immune system, which allows us to resist diseases, is destroyed by this virus. As a result, we become unable to resist even the simplest diseases such as the flu or the common cold. Just because a person has HIV does not mean that person has AIDS.
Who is infected with HIV / Aids?
HIV virus is age and gender irrespective, it can infect both men and women, children and adults. The only way to find out if a person is infected with AIDS is to have an HIV test (aids test), which is a blood test.
As soon as the HIV virus enters the body, it does not cause disease, and there may not be any symptoms showing that this virus is in the body. For this reason, the HIV virus that causes AIDS can only be detected by the HIV test (aids test). Symptoms of AIDS begin to appear about 10-12 years after the HIV virus enters the body. The person can transmit the virus to others during this time. A person who is HIV-positive can live healthy for years without becoming ill and without turning into AIDS during this 10-12-year period and transmit this virus to the people around him.
The spread of HIV / AIDS virus
This disease, which was first discovered in 1981, spread rapidly after its discovery; Men, children, black, white, Latin, Asian, rich or poor, it caused the death of many people. It has been seen in Turkey since 1985. According to 2016 – 2017 data, it has been determined that there are nearly 20,000 HIV-positive patients in our country. Most; It is seen in large and touristic places such as Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Antalya and Bursa. The main reason for this is unprotected sexual intercourse. About one-third of those infected are women. Although it is mostly seen in heterosexual men in our country, it is also seen more frequently in homosexual and bisexual men, substance addicts and hemophilia patients. In a group of patients, the cause of transmission of the disease is unknown. It has been recorded that 225,000 people have died from AIDS in the world to date.
HIV and AIDS treatment
A lot of research is being done for the treatment of AIDS, although some improvements have been made in treatment methods, a definite treatment method has not been found yet. PROTECTION is the most effective and only way to prevent the spread of this dangerous and deadly virus.
HIV (Human Immune Deficiency Virus) is a very dangerous virus that causes AIDS disease. Since AIDS is related to the body’s immune system, the virus that causes the disease is given this name. This virus inactivates the immune system, which provides the human body’s resistance to diseases. The ineffectiveness of the immune system means that it is no longer able to fight other diseases and microbes that it could easily cope with before being affected by the virus. This can cause even the simplest flu infection to become fatal. More than half of AIDS patients died by succumbing to such simple infections due to the ineffectiveness of their immune systems.
Once the HIV virus enters the human body and becomes infected, it is no longer possible for it to destroy or remove this virus from the body under today’s conditions. Such people are called HIV-positive patients. There are some medications developed for HIV-positive patients. These drugs prevent the spread and reproduction of the HIV virus, thus increasing the life expectancy and quality of the patient.
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV is a virus that causes AIDS. It is found in blood, vaginal secretions, semen, and breast milk. HIV can be spread through vaginal, oral or anal sex without a condom or latex/polyurethane barrier. This disease is increasing rapidly among people living in our country, and most of them do not know that they are infected with the virus. According to official figures, there are around 20,000 known HIV positive people in Turkey. ( 2016-2017 )
Many people living with HIV look healthy and feel good. They may not consider themselves at risk of becoming sick or transmitting HIV to others.
HIV testing is part of a routine or regular check-up in many countries. For example, the Public Health Agency of Canada recommends that HIV testing be discussed as part of routine medical checkup. Canada now recommends that all people aged 13 to 64 be tested, unless they are tested. It is also recommended that you get tested for HIV before starting a new sexual relationship, regardless of your age.
The World Health Organization (WHO) makes different recommendations based on where you live. Where HIV is common, HIV testing should be offered to anyone attending a healthcare facility. It suggests that where HIV is less common, HIV testing is recommended for people at higher risk of being exposed to HIV.
How is HIV Transmitted;
- Have you ever had vaginal, anal or oral sex without a condom, other than with your partner?.
- Have you ever shared needles or syringes to inject drugs or other substances?
- Not sure about your partner’s preferences or is your partner living with HIV?
- Are you pregnant or have you considered your risk of becoming pregnant?
- Have you ever been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection or disease?
- Do you have hepatitis C?
- Are you starting tuberculosis (TB) treatment?
Left untreated, HIV can cause serious illness and death. If you test for HIV 1+2, there are effective drugs to help you get through your period. However, if you don’t know your HIV status, you won’t get the health care and treatment you need. For more information about HIV, please get in touch.
Click on the link for information about HIV-Aids Symptoms <—.