Haley Colyer by Haley Colyer

Pathogen -

hjcolyer — 2023-11-15 14:34:15 UTC

HIV is considered a retrovirus. This means that it invades your cells to make copies of itself into your DNA.

symptoms

hjcolyer — 2023-11-15 14:34:15 UTC

It is usually hard to tell if you have HIV because there are no obvious symptoms for years.

Within 2-4 weeks of being infected, you may get flu-like symptoms like fever. chills, muscle aches, sore throat, and fatigue.

The only way to know for sure that you have HIV is to get tested !!

HIV

hjcolyer — 2023-11-15 14:34:15 UTC

HIV is a Human immunodeficiency virus that attacks the body's immune system by destroying important cells that fight against diseases and infection.

effects on newborns

hjcolyer — 2023-11-15 14:39:58 UTC

Infants with HIV usually don't show signs until around 2-3 months

some of these symptoms include yeast infection, ear/ sinus infection, failure to gain weight, not meeting milestones, and upper respiratory infections.

infants born to HIV-positive women are tested 4

times after birth. If they test positive 2/4 times then it is confirmed that they have HIV

a few hours after birth

14 - 21 days after birth
1-2 months
4-6 months

if a baby is born with aids they are given treatment at least 6 hours after birth. Just like adults, there is no cure for HIV, but it can be controlled.

If a baby is not treated as soon as possible they are unlikely to live to age 1.

longterm effects

hjcolyer — 2023-11-15 14:40:19 UTC

Living with HIV long-term puts you at risk for other health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, diabetes, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, and some cancers.

Majority of these health conditions are caused by the HIV treatment.

There are also mental health problems connected to Living with HIV. Many survivors are known to have survivor guilt and depression.

treatment

hjcolyer — 2023-11-15 14:40:35 UTC

There is no cure for HIV but there is medicine to help you control it. When you take the treatment it lessens your viral load making it undetectable. This means that if you do have any sexual encounters you won't pass the infection onto your partner.

The name of the treatment is called Antiretroviral therapy ( ART). This treatment helps reduce the amount of HIV in your body. This is a combination of two or more drugs that serve different purposes.

stopping the creation of new resistant strains
suppression of the virus

How do you get it ?

hjcolyer — 2023-11-15 14:41:11 UTC

You can get HIV from sex whether it's anal sex, vaginal sex, or oral sex.
HIV can also be transmitted from mother to baby. ( breastfeeding, vaginal birth)

There is a high risk of transmission when sharing needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment
You can become infected if someone else's infected fluid enters your open wounds.
HIV can be transmitted through Blood, semen, rectal fluids, vaginal fluids, and breast milk.
Even though it's rare you can also get Hiv through tattoos and piercing needles.

how to avoid HIV

hjcolyer — 2023-11-15 14:44:29 UTC

You can avoid HIV by getting tested regularly
use condoms or other barriers when having sex
Limit your sexual partners
Do not share needles, syringes, or other drug equipment
Ask your partner(s) to get tested
talk to your health care provider about Prep which is a pre-exposure drug to lower the chances of getting HIV.

What happens if you don't get treated ?

hjcolyer — 2023-11-15 14:45:07 UTC

The more you delay treatment the more you are damaging your immune system.

Your HIV replicates and weakens your immune system. HIV can progress and become aids.

You are more likely to pass the disease on to someone else if you do not get treated.

Extra Facts

hjcolyer — 2023-11-15 14:52:35 UTC

Anyone can get HIV
Blacks and Latinos are more at risk of getting HIV
The HIV epidemic started in the 1980s and in 1985 HIV got its name
More than 3.5 million people living with HIV worldwide
HIV affects all communities not just the LGBTQ community.
National HIV/ AIDS awareness day is September 18th