Recognize the Signs of HIV AIDS

Signs of HIV AIDS usually do not appear immediately when someone is newly infected with HIV. Flu-like symptoms only appear two weeks after HIV infection occurs. Because acute HIV infection often only causes mild complaints, this condition is often only detected when it has entered an advanced stage. HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the immune system. Without strong immunity, the body has difficulty fighting infections that can cause disease. HIV works by destroying white blood cells that play an important role in the immune system. The more damaged white blood cells, the weaker the immune system. Many people think that HIV is AIDS and vice versa. Though being infected with HIV will not always lead to AIDS if the status of HIV infection is known from the beginning and treated early. At very severe levels of HIV infection, a very weak immune system makes the body very vulnerable to infection and cancer. This deadly condition is called AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). However, HIV infection takes several years to develop into AIDS.

Symptoms and Signs of HIV AIDS

Many people with HIV do not know that they are infected. This is because the symptoms and signs of HIV / AIDS in the early stages often do not cause severe symptoms. HIV infection to AIDS is divided into three phases, which are as follows:

• Phase one: Acute HIV infection

The first phase generally appears after 2-4 weeks of HIV infection. In this initial phase, HIV sufferers will experience flu-like symptoms, such as:
- Headache.
- Sprue.
- Fatigue.
- Sore throat.
- Loss of appetite.
- Muscle ache.
- rash.
- Swollen lymph nodes.
- Sweating. The symptoms and signs of HIV / AIDS above arise because the body's immunity is fighting the virus. These symptoms can last for 1-2 weeks or even more. However, it must be remembered that these symptoms are not always caused by HIV. After the symptoms and signs of HIV / AIDS above disappear, sufferers can not feel anything until years later.


• Second phase: The latent phase of HIV

In this phase, people with HIV / AIDS do not show signs and symptoms that are typical, and even feel healthy as not infected with a virus. But actually, the HIV virus secretly breeds and attacks white blood cells that play a role in fighting infection. Signs of HIV / AIDS in this phase are not visible, but patients can still transmit it to others. At the end of the second phase, the white blood cells decrease so drastically that even more severe symptoms begin to appear.

• Third phase: AIDS

AIDS is the hardest phase of HIV infection. In this phase, the body almost loses its ability to fight disease. This is because the number of white blood cells is far below normal. Signs of HIV AIDS at this stage include weight loss dramatically, frequent fever, fatigue, chronic diarrhea, and swollen lymph nodes. Because the AIDS phase of the immune system is very weak, people with HIV / AIDS will be very vulnerable to infection and certain types of cancer. Diseases that usually occur in people with AIDS include:
- Fungal infections of the mouth and throat.
- pneumonia.
- Toxoplasmosis.
- Meningitis.
- Tuberculosis (TB).
- Cancer, such as lymphoma and Kaposi's sarcoma.

HIV Prevention and Treatment

Prevention and early treatment of HIV infection is the main key so that this condition does not develop into dangerous AIDS. Therefore, living a healthy lifestyle and avoiding risky behaviors, such as casual sex or sharing needles with other people, is an effective way to prevent HIV / AIDS. Apply the following in your life:

• Use a condom when having sex. Use condoms correctly to avoid leakage.
• Do not change partners.
• Avoid direct contact with other people's bodily fluids. For example through wounds or oral sex.
• Do not use personal equipment such as toothbrushes, shavers, and sex toys in turn with other people.
• If you are at risk of exposure to the HIV virus, starting ARV treatment early as a prevention of HIV infection, and regularly checking HIV status is the right step to deal with HIV.

Understand that HIV is transmitted through bodily fluids, such as blood, breast milk, semen, and vaginal fluids. HIV cannot be transmitted through saliva, insect bites, food or drink. The virus is also not transmitted through the use of toilets, or shaking hands and hugging sufferers. Until now, no drugs have been found that can cure HIV infection. Although it cannot be cured, HIV can still be controlled by taking antiretroviral drugs. Antiretroviral works by preventing virus duplication. This drug is available in tablet form and must be taken every day. Regular consumption of antiretroviral drugs can slow down the course of HIV disease and prolong patients' life expectancy. Without treatment, HIV can develop into AIDS in a faster time. Immediately check yourself and do an HIV detection test if you are at risk of infection or experiencing symptoms and signs of HIV / AIDS. Do not hesitate or embarrassed to consult a doctor and carry out an HIV examination, because treatment is done early can slow the progression of HIV infection into AIDS.