The term HIV ( Human Immunodeficiency Virus ) represents the English acronym for the human immunodeficiency virus, responsible for causing AIDS.
HIV is a retrovirus of the genus Lentivirus and of the subfamily Lentiviridae. Retroviruses are those that store their genetic information as RNA.
HIV characteristics
The main characteristics of the HIV virus are:
- Long incubation period until the first symptoms are noticed;
- It weakens the immune system;
- Ability to destroy the body’s defense cells.
The HIV virus attacks and destroys the cells of the immune system , especially the CD4 + lymphocytes. Without the defense cells, the body becomes more exposed to the attack of other viruses, bacteria and the appearance of cancer.
When the HIV virus infects a lymphocyte, there it releases its RNA and produces viral DNA, which is integrated into the host cell’s DNA .
Thus, the lymphocyte starts to replicate HIV, originating many copies that start to infect other lymphocytes . In the end, the lymphocytes are destroyed. As a result, the amount of HIV virus increases in the blood.
HIV is diagnosed through tests that detect the presence of the virus in the blood or saliva. There are currently several types of tests available to diagnose the HIV virus.
HIV symptoms
A few days after being infected by the HIV virus, a condition called acute HIV infection appears, as a result of the entry of a new virus into the body. The main symptoms are:
- Fever;
- Headache;
- Tiredness;
- Skin lesions;
- Swollen lymph nodes;
- Muscle pain;
- Nausea.
HIV transmission
The HIV virus is transmitted through contact with contaminated blood, semen or vaginal fluids. Among the main forms of transmission are:
- Vaginal, oral and anal sex without a condom / condom;
- Sharing syringes and needles with contaminated blood;
- Reuse of sharp objects, such as nail pliers with contaminated blood;
- From mother to child during pregnancy, breastfeeding or delivery;
- Blood transfusion, if it is contaminated;
- Organ transplants.
Are HIV and AIDS the same thing?
It is important not to confuse HIV with AIDS . Many people with the HIV virus can go years without developing AIDS and without showing symptoms characteristic of the presence of the virus in the body.
Even without manifesting the disease, the person with HIV can transmit the virus to other people.
Over time and without adequate treatment, the presence of HIV in the body can evolve to AIDS, as the immune system becomes weakened, a condition called immunosuppression. Remember that this is because the HIV virus attacks and destroys defense cells called CD4 + lymphocytes.
Thus, the diagnosis of AIDS includes the presence of the virus in the blood, a significant decrease in the number of CD4 + lymphocytes and some type of disease caused by the weakening of the immune system.
Treatment for HIV carriers
There is no cure for HIV infection. Thus, as HIV can develop AIDS, it is important that people with the virus be treated. Treatment reduces the chances of transmission and of contracting other diseases.
For the treatment, there are many types of drugs called antiretrovirals, which can be used in combination, according to medical advice.
The medicine’s mechanism of action acts by preventing the formation of new viruses and preventing the body’s defense cells from being destroyed.
A person with HIV, who has been under treatment for at least 6 months, already has a reduction in his viral load and reduces the chances of transmitting the virus by up to 96%.
A fundamental aspect is that the treatment, once started, is not interrupted, as there is the possibility of the emergence of resistant viruses.
How to prevent the HIV virus?
The main ways to prevent the HIV virus are:
- Having sex using condoms;
- Do not share syringes, needles, pliers or other sharp and piercing objects;
- Pregnant women with HIV should undergo treatment to prevent transmission to their child.