Diseases Multiple Sclerosis STDs

On The Look Out For Hiv

Anyone and everyone who has sex is prone to contracting the dreaded Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is the virus responsible for the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome or more popularly known in today’s culture as AIDS. Once you have become sexually active, especially if you engage in sex with multiple partners, then you are now at risk for contracting the disease. Therefore, regular check-ips at STD testing centers is a must for you.

One must not confuse HIV and AIDS; they are two different things albeit one stems from the other. The HIV is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system, specifically the CD4 cells, which are responsible for fending off foreign entities in the body. 2 to 4 weeks after exposure to the virus, the person begins to manifest influenza like symptoms including fever, rashes, general body weakness, and pharyngitis. Since these symptoms are non-specific and are common to other non-STD causes, they are usually disregarded and not recognized as an HIV infection. That is why regular appointments at STD testing centers are important.

The next phase of the disease after the acute HIV infection is known as the Latency stage. Since the body still has a strong immune system, it can fend off the progression and multiplication of the virus. This stage differs from person to person and may last from 2 years up to 20 years depending on the strength of the person’s immune system. During this phase, the virus tries to multiply as your body tries to fend off the growing invader.

Once the levels of your CD4 cells reach a critical low level, it is then called AIDS. At this point, the body’s immune system has reached a point where it cannot fight off infections; thus, opportunistic infections begin to manifest. Symptoms usually start off as annoyingly recurrent respiratory infections, unexplained weight loss, skin rashes, and ulcer formation in the mouth. This happens because the body can no longer protect you from the normal bacteria that reside in these places making you prone to disease and infection. The most common cause of death is a Pneumonia caused by the fungus Pneumocystis jirovecii.

Since HIV can be extremely dangerous and fatal, it is recommended that you get laboratory tests done to confirm if you are positive or not for the virus. There are several tests that are needed to confirm this and all of them are available at STD testing centers. Your case will be handled by experts and will keep your condition a secret. You will not have to face the shame and embarrassment that accompanies the disease. Although there are no known cures for HIV, there are medications that can prolong the damage that the disease can do. Life expectancy and health status can be increased significantly especially with early treatment and diagnosis.  

HIV is extremely dangerous and is easy to contract and since there is no known cure for it, it is scary to imagine if you have the disease. However, acquiring the disease cannot be avoided; therefore, early treatment and prompt diagnosis is your best choice to combat this virus.