What are the causes of HIV and its symptoms?

New Delhi: The HIV virus weakens the immune system. CD4 cells, a type of immune cell known as a T cell, are impacted by untreated HIV and eventually die. The body is more susceptible to developing numerous diseases and malignancies over time as HIV destroys more CD4 cells.

HIV is spread through body secretions, such as:

1. blood
2. semen
3. Rectal and vaginal fluids
4. mother’s milk

The virus cannot be spread via casual touch, water, or the air. Due to the fact that HIV binds to cells’ DNA, it is a lifelong problem. Although many scientists are striving to develop a medicine to eradicate HIV from the body, none have yet been discovered. However, with proper medical care, such as antiretroviral therapy, it is feasible to control HIV and live with the infection for a very long time.

A person with HIV is more likely to acquire the deadly illness Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, also known as AIDS, if they don’t receive therapy. At that moment, the immune system is insufficiently strong to effectively combat more illnesses, infections, and disorders. Life expectancy with end-stage AIDS is around 3 years if untreatedTrusted Source. HIV can be effectively managed with antiretroviral medication, and a person with HIV can expect to live almost as long as someone who has not.

According to estimates, 1.2 million Americans are HIV positive right now. One in seven of them are unaware they have the infection. The body might undergo alterations as a result of HIV.

What are the symptoms of HIV:

The acute infection stage is the first several weeks after HIV infection. This is the phase when the virus reproduces quickly. HIV antibodies, which are proteins that take action to respond against infection, are produced as a result of the immune system’s reaction.

Some people initially don’t have any symptoms during this time. But in the first month or two after catching the virus, a lot of people have symptoms, though frequently without realising that HIV is the cause of those symptoms. This is due to the fact that acute stage symptoms might resemble flu-like symptoms or those of other seasonal viruses, such as:

1. They might range from minor to severe.
2. Maybe they’ll come and leave.
3. They could last for a few days or for a few weeks.