Understanding AIDS

What Is AIDS?

Understanding AIDS and HIV , Find AIDS symptoms and treatments. The AIDS virus is the result of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus(HIV), which is a disease that attacks the body's immune system. Normally, the immune system protects the body against all kinds of illnesses, but in the case of the AIDS virus, our immune system is not strong enough and the cells are destroyed. A person infected with the AIDS virus is susceptible to all sorts of opportunistic diseases that the immune system could normally destroy, if the person is healthy.

Once infected with AIDS, the person is infected for life and the virus can either progress slowly or quickly. The AIDS virus is transmitted through semen, vaginal fluid, blood, unprotected sexual intercourse, from mother to baby in the womb, and by sharing of AIDS infected needles. People with AIDS have had their immune system completely destroyed and depleted by the HIV virus and can experience a variety of symptoms of AIDS.

HIV AIDS Symptoms

AIDS symptoms are caused by the deterioration and destruction of the immune system and the decrease of T cells, which are the immune system's main virus defenders. As soon as the HIV enters the body, it begins to kill off these cells. Some common AIDS symptoms can include: * Diarrhea that lasts for more than a week * Recurring fever * Profuse night sweats * Brown, red, pink,or purplish blotches on or under the skin or inside the mouth, eyelids, or nose * Dry cough * Swollen lymph glands in the groin, neck, or armpits * White spots or unusual blemishes in the mouth, on the tongue, or in the throat * Memory loss, neurological disorders, and depression * Rapid weight loss * Pneumonia and flu * Unexplained and noticeable fatigue Symptoms of common infections that occur with the AIDS virus include: * Fever * Severe headaches * Extreme and noticeable fatigue * Coma * Coughing and shortness of breath * Painful and difficulty swallowing * Mental symptoms such as forgetfulness and confusion * Vomiting, nausea, and abdominal cramps * Persistent diarrhea * Seizures and lack of coordination * Vision loss Diagnosis can be made by your doctor with an AIDS test, which differs from HIV testing. The diagnosis of the AIDS virus often relies on clinical examination as well as a variety of tests and investigations. Many of the infections and cancers that are found in AIDS are so seldom found in a healthy person that the existence of the cancer or virus is the only thing that needs to be present in the blood to diagnose the AIDS virus. AIDS Prevention For people with AIDS there are different forms of AIDS treatment. There is antiretroviral therapy that is important in slowing the progression. AIDS prevention is equally important and involves a large variety of different therapeutic and preventive AIDS drugs and medications.

HIV AIDS treatment

The treatment of AIDS is improving so rapidly, with new recommendations and medications available, that staying up-to-date on AIDS research is a major commitment. The outlook for people living with AIDS is improving and there is hope. If you are living with AIDS, there are many things you can do to help ensure you live a longer and healthier life. Always remember to take the medicines your doctor has prescribed and make sure you have a physician who knows how to treat the AIDS virus appropriately. You may want to join a support group so you can express your emotions and thoughts about being infected with AIDS. Learn as much as you can about AIDS and the forms of treatment available. Also, make sure you eat healthy and get regular exercise. If you or someone you love and care about either has noticed AIDS symptoms or is already diagnosed with AIDS, ask your doctor for more AIDS information as well as contact your local AIDS foundation for more support and resources.