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HIV, Human Immunodefiency Virus, is a virus that attacks the immune system CDC, 2020). HIV can be transmitted through contact with bodily fluids such as: blood, semen, vaginal fluid, and breast milk. Primarily known to be a sexually transmitted infection (STI). HIV can be transmitted through sexual activity. Another way to get HIV, is through needle sharing. For example, if the previous person is infected with the disease, by sharing the same needle it could easily be transmitted to the other person.

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You may ask, what are the stages of HIV? The first stage is Acute HIV. In this stage, weeks after contracting the virus, the infected individual will experience flu like symptoms. The second stage is known as the Clinical Latency Stage. An infected person can stay in this stage for years. This stage is also known as the latent or asymptomatic stage. The third stage, occurs when CD4 cell count falls below 200 cells/mm3; this allows a person vulnerable  to opportunistic infections and AIDS defining conditions.

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Infection of HIV takes place immediately once a person has contracted the virus. A person may not experience symptoms of HIV days or weeks after contracting the virus. This allows the virus to spread rapidly throughout the body. Flu like symptoms such as: fever, headache, rash, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, and myalgias, or muscle pain can occur. Meanwhile, not everyone with HIV will experience flu-like symptoms.

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Antiretroviral medications goal is to obtain an undetectable quantity of the virus in the blood known as the viral load (Wilkins, 2020). Holistic treatment ensures that HIV is not the sole focus of treatment, but the patient's entire health and wellness is being assessed and treatment to prevent comorbidities and morality.
Treatment Concerns:
HIV replicates at a much faster rate than other viruses. Therefore, drugs can easily become resistant. Consequently, standard therapy consists of combination antiretroviral medications (Wilkin, 2020). HIV mutations can lead to an entire class of drugs being ineffective (Wilkins, 2020). Therefore, patients must be extensively counseled on the importance of compliance with a strict during regimen.

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Prevention requires a holistic and multifaceted approach: biomedical, behavioral and structural interventions. Barrier Methods: condoms can be used to prevent transmission of HIV during vaginal, anal, and oral intercourse. Early diagnosis and treatment help prevent further transmission and reduces infectivity. PEPSE and PEP: short course of HIV medications given within 72 hours of possible exposure. PREP: two combination antiviral in one pill taken daily to prevent the transmission of HIV. It can be highly effective when taken properly.
PEP: post exposure prophylaxis
PEPSE: post exposure prophylaxis after sexual exposure

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When HIV is not managed and controlled it progresses to AIDS (Acquired Immunodefiency Syndrome). The diagnosis of AIDS occurs when the CD4 count decreases to less than 200 (CDC, 2020).

AIDS
A- Acquired- This means that a person becomes infected with it.
I- Immuno. HIV is known to attack a person's immune system, (immune system) which is commonly known to fight off germs such as bacteria and viruses.
D- Deficiency. HIV causes the immune system to become deficient.
S- Syndrome. A person with HIV can develop other diseases and infections due to having  a weakened immune system.

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There are two main types of Human Immunodefiency Virus (HIV). Both can lead to AIDS, but they are very dissimilar.

1). HIV-1
HIV-1 is the most common type out of the two. When referring to the term "HIV" it is more than likely referring to HIV-1. Lentivirus (Genus)

2). HIV-2
In contrast to HIV-1, HIV-2 has a much smaller population. Only 0.01% of the U.S. population has HIV-2. HIV-2 is mainly transmitted in West Africa.

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Roughly, 1.2 million people are living with HIV today.
HIV is ranked high amongst gay, bisexual men, and minorities. New diagnoses of HIV are continuing to occur in the South. In 2018, nearly 36,400 new HIV infections occurred in the U.S. (CDC, 2018).

Interesting Fact
1 in 7 individuals are living with HIV and are not aware.

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There still remains no cure for HIV. However, antiretroviral treatments can control the virus, and people can live a long and healthy life. Scientists and researchers do believe that one day there will be a cure for HIV. Meanwhile, the best thing to do for your health is to test regularly for HIV. If you test positive for the virus, you should start antiretroviral treatment instantly.

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HIV (Human Immunodefiency Virus) and AIDS (Acquired Immunodefiency Syndrome) have many similarities, but they are not the same. For example, AIDS is a syndrome caused by HIV infection. In order for someone to get AIDS, they have to first transmit HIV. AIDS is simply an advanced stage of HIV infection. It is known to be the "late" stage of HIV and is extremely severe.  If treated properly, a person can recover from HIV. Meanwhile, there still remains no cure for AIDS.