HIV infection is a condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The condition gradually destroys the immune system, which makes it harder for the body to fight infections. AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is the final stage of HIV disease, which causes severe damage to the immune system.
People who become infected with HIV may not have any symptoms for up to 10 years, but they can still pass the infection to others. After you come in contact with the virus, it can take up to 3 months for a blood test to show that you have HIV.
Symptoms related to HIV are usually due to a different infection in the body. Some symptoms related to HIV infection include:
-Diarrhea
-Fatigue
-Fever
-Frequent vaginal yeast infections
-Headache
-Mouth sores, including yeast infection (thrush)
-Muscle stiffness or aching
-Rashes of different types, including seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis
-Sore throat
-Swollen lymph glands
Treatment: Doctors usually recommend medicine for patients who are committed to taking all their
medications and have a CD4 count below 500 cells/mm3 (which is a sign that of a
weakened immune system). Some people, including pregnant women and people with
kidney or neurological problems related to HIV, may need treatment regardless of
their CD4 count. It is extremely important for people with HIV to take all doses of their
medications, otherwise the virus may become resistant to the drugs. Therapy
always involves a combination of antiviral drugs. Pregnant women with HIV
infection are treated to reduce the chance of transmitting HIV to their
babies.People with HIV infection need to become educated about the disease and treatment so
that they can be active participants in making decisions with their health care
provider.
Treatment: Doctors usually recommend medicine for patients who are committed to taking all their
medications and have a CD4 count below 500 cells/mm3 (which is a sign that of a
weakened immune system). Some people, including pregnant women and people with
kidney or neurological problems related to HIV, may need treatment regardless of
their CD4 count. It is extremely important for people with HIV to take all doses of their
medications, otherwise the virus may become resistant to the drugs. Therapy
always involves a combination of antiviral drugs. Pregnant women with HIV
infection are treated to reduce the chance of transmitting HIV to their
babies.People with HIV infection need to become educated about the disease and treatment so
that they can be active participants in making decisions with their health care
provider.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001627/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001620/
medications and have a CD4 count below 500 cells/mm3 (which is a sign that of a
weakened immune system). Some people, including pregnant women and people with
kidney or neurological problems related to HIV, may need treatment regardless of
their CD4 count. It is extremely important for people with HIV to take all doses of their
medications, otherwise the virus may become resistant to the drugs. Therapy
always involves a combination of antiviral drugs. Pregnant women with HIV
infection are treated to reduce the chance of transmitting HIV to their
babies.People with HIV infection need to become educated about the disease and treatment so
that they can be active participants in making decisions with their health care
provider.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001627/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001620/