AIDS disease (AIDS) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is transmitted by the HIV virus.... This virus weakens the body's immune cells to the point where it is no longer able to fight minor illnesses.

HIV or (human immunodeficiency virus) affects white blood cells, especially lymphocytes, which play an important role in fighting various infections, and increases the body's resistance to pathogens..

It takes many years for a person suffering from this disease to reach the stage of AIDS after the complete weakening of the immune system... Stay with us until the end of this article from GCORP LLC magazine, so that after examining the initial symptoms of AIDS, we will answer the question of whether AIDS has a cure or not.

What is AIDS?

AIDS is the last and most serious stage of HIV infection... People with this disease have a large number of special white blood cells and their immune system is damaged, which is usually associated with another disease.... If the HIV virus is not treated, it will turn into AIDS in about 10 years...

CD4 cells are a special type of blood cells that play a major role in the body's fight against diseases, and HIV destroys these cells.... As more CD4 cells are lost, the immune system weakens, and a person may be infected with HIV for years before developing AIDS.

It is good to know that AIDS testing is considered one of the services of GCORP LLC due to the preservation of human dignity, and by performing the test on site, you can get the results in the shortest time.

Difference between HIV and AIDS

AIDS and HIV are two different concepts.. The HIV virus specifically binds to the cells of the immune system and weakens them.. This virus can remain hidden in the body for years and if not treated properly, it will turn into AIDS over time..

At this stage, the infected person can be a carrier of the disease, but the body does not show any symptoms... AIDS disease is a set of clinical signs and symptoms that are directly related to the disorders of the body's immune system caused by the HIV virus infection..

Learn more: AIDS symptoms in men

Symptoms of AIDS

The HIV virus can be present in your body without any symptoms....however, some people notice the symptoms of AIDS after a year....usually the symptoms of this disease vary according to its severity.

Early symptoms of AIDS (acute HIV)

If the HIV virus has just entered your body, you will have flu-like symptoms within 2 to 4 weeks. These symptoms include:

• Fever
• Shingles
• diarrhea
• Headache
• fatigue
• Weight loss
• Skin discomfort
• Swelling of lymph nodes
• Muscle and joint pain
• Itching or skin irritation
• Fungal infection of mouth and teeth (oral thrush)

Symptoms of chronic HIV

In some people, persistent lymph node swelling occurs during clinical latent HIV. In this case, the HIV virus remains in the body and in infected white blood cells.

Symptoms of AIDS

• Severe weight loss
• Severe fatigue without reason
• Severe fever, frequent and night sweats
• Prolonged diarrhea (more than a week)
• creating sores in the mouth, genitals and anus
• Skin rash inside the mouth, on the eyelid and nose
• Swelling of lymph nodes in the neck, armpit and groin area
• Incidence of depression, nervous disorders and memory loss

How do we know that we have AIDS?

You can't tell if a person is infected with the HIV virus by looking at it....because a person infected with the virus can have no visible symptoms....so the best way to know if you have AIDS is to get an HIV test....

Research has shown that 1 in 7 people with HIV do not know their disease. Therefore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the United States recommends that people between the ages of 13 and 64 get an AIDS screening test at least once a year.

Learn more: Famous people with AIDS in Iran

AIDS related diseases

A person with AIDS becomes vulnerable to a wide range of diseases.... They include:

• oral thrush
• Pneumonia/pneumonia
• TB
• Cryptococcal meningitis (fungal disease in the brain)
• Toxoplasmosis/toxoplasmosis (brain disease caused by parasites)
• Cryptosporidiosis/Cryptosporidiosis (condition caused by intestinal parasites)
• Kaposi's sarcoma (tumor in the wall of blood vessels)
• Lymphoma/lymphoma (cancer of lymph nodes)

Learn more: AIDS symptoms in women

ways of AIDS transmission

This disease is transmitted in different ways, including body fluids or person to person.. One of the ways of transmitting AIDS is:

• Semen
• Blood
• Mother's milk
• vaginal and rectal fluids

The way of transmission of HIV virus from one person to another includes the following:

• Vaginal or anal intercourse (the most common way of transmission)
• Needles, syringes and other common drug injection tools
• Shared use of tattoo equipment without sterilization
• Transmission from the pregnant mother to the fetus or transmission through childbirth to the baby
• Breastfeeding period
• Suffer from sexually transmitted diseases (such as gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes and genital warts)
• Transmission through prechewing (chewing the child's food before giving it to him)

Hug, kiss, dance or shake hands with someone who has HIV or AIDS will not infect you with the virus.

AIDS diagnosis method

Antibodies produced by the immune system to fight the HIV virus help to diagnose this disease.... The following table shows effective tests for HIV diagnosis:

How many stages does the AIDS test take?

According to the scientific issues surrounding the diagnostic power of the tests as well as professional and legal ethical issues, the HIV antibody test in our country is done in two stages.

In the first step (ELISA test), a positive result indicates that the person is most likely infected with the virus, then after a few days, a second ELISA and Western blot test is performed to confirm the first positive result.

If the result of the second AIDS test is positive, the person is considered to have HIV and it is said that the person is HIV+... But if the result of the second test is negative, it does not necessarily mean that the person is HIV negative, because it often takes some time for the body to produce antibodies... In medical terms, this time is called the window period.

Therefore, it is necessary for this person to repeat HIV antibody tests six months later to make sure that he is HIV negative if he does not engage in high-risk behaviors during this period.... If necessary, consult an infectious disease doctor online.

Risk factors in the development of AIDS

AIDS disease first appeared in the United States among men who had sex with their same sex.... Although today it is quite clear that HIV is also transmitted through sex with the opposite sex...

People of any age, race, or sexual orientation can be infected, but you are at greater risk of contracting HIV if you have:

1. Existence of sexually transmitted diseases (STI)
2. Common use of injectable drugs
3. Unprotected sex (without condom)

If needed, refer to the best infectious disease specialist in Tehran and other cities for treatment.

Is there a cure for AIDS?

Currently, there is no cure for AIDS, but many solutions have been identified to reduce the symptoms and prevent its progress....Many countries have tried to produce a vaccine for the HIV virus, unfortunately, despite spending a lot of money and time, this work has not been successful....so it can be said that there is still no vaccine for AIDS...

When should HIV treatment start?

Every person with AIDS, regardless of their CD4 cell count, should be treated with antiviral drugs... Treatment becomes more important if the following conditions are present:

1. Pregnancy
2. kidney patients
3. Existence of acute symptoms
4. Those who suffer from hepatitis B or C
5. Incidence of opportunistic infection
6. CD4 count less than 300 in blood

The infectious disease doctor checks the patient's viral load and CD4 count to determine the patient's response to treatment. The viral load is tested at the start of treatment and then repeated every 3 to 4 months during treatment. The CD4 count should also be checked every 3 to 6 months.

Treatment of AIDS disease

HIV is treated with a combination of oral drugs that are taken daily, called antiretroviral therapy (ART)..

Learn more: How is the AIDS test done?

Drug therapy

The most effective drugs are:

• Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), including efavirenz (SUSTIVA), etravirine (INTELENCE), and nevirapine (VIRAMUNE).
• Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) including abacavir (ZIAGEN), emtricitabine-tenofovir (Truvada)
• Entry or fusion inhibitors, including enfovirtide (FUZEON) and maraviroc (SELZENTRY)
• Protease inhibitors (PIs) include atazanavir (Riatase), darunavir (Perzista), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), and indinavir (crixivan)
• Integrase inhibitors include raltegravir (ISENTRESS), algravir (VITEKTA) and dolutegravir (TIVICAY)
Pharmacokinetic enhancers
• Fusion inhibitors

Home treatment of AIDS disease

The following suggestions will help the patient stay healthy longer:

• Following a healthy diet including fruits, fresh vegetables, seeds and lean protein
• Avoidance of pasteurized, raw or undercooked foods
• fully washing hands after contact with animals and emptying the trash can
• Injection of approved vaccines for various diseases

The cost of AIDS treatment in Iran

AIDS treatment in Iran is covered by social and private insurances... At present, HIV antiviral drugs are relatively expensive, but patients who have insurance pay less... In general, it can be said that the cost of AIDS treatment in Iran will vary depending on the type of treatment and drugs used... According to ISNA, Dr.. Payam Tabarsi (university professor) stated that AIDS treatment is completely free in our country so that all people can safely participate in this test and get the results after a week.

Side effects of AIDS drugs

They are:

• High blood sugar
• heart disease
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
• Abnormal level of cholesterol
Weakness and bone loss
• separation of muscle tissue (rhabdomyolysis)

AIDS results

World AIDS Day falls on December 1st... To fight AIDS, the United Nations has asked all people in the world to have access to HIV testing... On World AIDS Day, people decorate their clothes with red ribbons to remember the attention and care of HIV and AIDS and to remind others that their commitment, adherence and support are necessary... The cost of its treatment in Iran... Share your thoughts and experiences with us...

FAQs about AIDS

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Source: my.clevelandclinic | Who health line