Mandavilli A. New York Times. March 4, The Antiretroviral Therapy Cohort Collaboration. Survival of HIV-positive patients starting antiretroviral therapy between and A collaborative analysis of cohort studies. The Lancet. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellHealth. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page. These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data.
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December 18, ; 41 RR Related Articles. What Is an Opportunistic Infection? HIV destroys CD4 cells by using their replication machinery to create new copies of the virus.
This ultimately causes the CD4 cells to swell and burst. HIV is transmitted through contact with the following bodily fluids, from most likely to lead to HIV transmission to least likely :. Sex without a condom and sharing needles — even tattoo or piercing needles — can result in the transmission of HIV. View a timeline of HIV symptoms. Even without symptoms, HIV can still be present in the body and can still be transmitted.
Receiving adequate treatment that results in viral suppression stops the progression of immune dysfunction and AIDS. Adequate treatment also helps a damaged immune system to recover. Symptoms of the acute infection may take place days to weeks after the virus has been contracted. During this time, the virus is multiplying rapidly in the body, unchecked. This initial HIV stage can result in flu-like symptoms. Examples of these symptoms include:.
The flu symptoms are due to the increase of copies of HIV and widespread infection in the body. During this time, the amount of CD4 cells starts to fall very quickly. The immune system then kicks in, causing CD4 levels to rise once again. In addition to potentially causing symptoms, the acute stage is when people with HIV have the greatest chance of transmitting the virus to others.
This is because HIV levels are very high at this time. The acute stage typically lasts between several weeks and months. The chronic HIV stage is known as the latent or asymptomatic stage. However, a person can still transmit HIV if the virus is left untreated and they continue to have a detectable viral load.
Advances in antiretroviral treatments have significantly improved the outlook for people living with HIV. With proper treatment, many people who are HIV-positive are able to achieve viral suppression and live long, healthy lives.
Some methods of stress reduction include:. Cannabis has been shown to stimulate the appetite and relieve nausea. Talk to your doctor if you're interested in trying it. Alternative and complementary treatments for HIV need to be carefully evaluated. Some people with HIV may use these types of treatment to help with fatigue and weight loss caused by HIV infection and reduce the side effects caused by antiretroviral therapy ART.
Some complementary therapies for other problems may actually be harmful. For example, St. John's wort decreases the effectiveness of certain prescription medicines for HIV. Make sure to discuss complementary therapies with your doctor before trying them. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Learn How this information was developed. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. All rights reserved. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Top of the page. What is AIDS? HIV-2 infection is uncommon in North America. What causes HIV? Most people get the virus by having unprotected sex with someone who has HIV.
Another common way of getting it is by sharing drug needles with someone who is infected with HIV. The virus can also be passed from a mother to her baby during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding. What are the symptoms? Common early symptoms include: Fever. Sore throat. Muscle aches and joint pain. Swollen glands swollen lymph nodes. Skin rash. These symptoms usually include: Swollen lymph nodes. Extreme tiredness. Weight loss. Night sweats. How is HIV diagnosed? If you think you have been exposed to HIV but you test negative for it: Get tested again.
A repeat test can be done after a few weeks to be sure you are not infected. Meanwhile, take steps to prevent the spread of the virus, in case you do have it. How is it treated? How can you prevent HIV? So it's always important to protect yourself and others by taking these steps: Practice safer sex. Use a condom every time you have sex including oral sex until you are sure that you and your partner aren't infected with HIV or other sexually transmitted infection STI.
Don't have more than one sex partner at a time. The safest sex is with one partner who has sex only with you. Talk to your partner before you have sex the first time. Find out if he or she is at risk for HIV. Get tested together. Use condoms in the meantime. Don't drink a lot of alcohol or use illegal drugs before sex. You might let down your guard and not practice safer sex. Don't share personal items , such as toothbrushes or razors. Never share needles or syringes with anyone.
Experts may recommend this for: footnote 1 , footnote 2 People whose sexual practices put them at high risk for HIV infection, such as men who have sex with men and people who have many sex partners.
People who inject illegal drugs, especially if they share needles. Adults who have a sex partner with HIV. Health Tools Health Tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health. Actionsets are designed to help people take an active role in managing a health condition.
Symptoms HIV may not cause symptoms early on. The symptoms may include: Belly cramps, nausea, or vomiting. Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, and groin. Later symptoms Later symptoms may include: Diarrhea or other bowel changes.
Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss. Dry cough or shortness of breath. Nail changes. Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, and groin. Pain when swallowing. Confusion, trouble concentrating, or personality changes. Repeated outbreaks of cold sores or genital herpes sores. Tingling, numbness, and weakness in the limbs. Mouth sores or a yeast infection of the mouth thrush. The virus may enter the body through a tear in the lining of the rectum, vagina, urethra, or mouth.
Most cases of HIV are spread this way. Infected blood. HIV can be spread when a person: Shares needles, syringes, cookers, cotton, cocaine spoons, or eyedroppers used for injecting drugs or steroids. Is accidentally stuck with a needle or other sharp item that is contaminated with HIV. How HIV is not spread The virus doesn't survive well outside the body. The window period After you've been infected, it can take 2 weeks to 3 months for your body to start making HIV antibodies.
What Increases Your Risk Sexual contact You have an increased risk of becoming infected with HIV through sexual contact if you: Have unprotected sex do not use condoms. Have multiple sex partners. Are a man who has sex with other men. Have high-risk partner s partner has multiple sex partners, is a man who has sex with other men, or injects drugs. Have or have recently had a sexually transmitted infection , such as syphilis or active herpes.
Drug use People who inject drugs or steroids, especially if they share needles, syringes, cookers, or other equipment used to inject drugs, are at risk of being infected with HIV. Birth mother infected Babies who are born to mothers who are infected with HIV are also at risk of infection.
When should you call your doctor? Known HIV infection If you are infected with HIV or caring for someone who is, call or other emergency services immediately if any of the following conditions develop: Seizures Loss of consciousness New weakness in an arm, a leg, or one side of the body New inability to move a body part paralysis New inability to stand or walk Call your doctor if any of the following conditions develop: Fever higher than You have engaged in high-risk behaviour and are concerned that you were exposed to HIV.
Your sex partner engages in high-risk behaviour. Your sex partner may have been exposed to HIV. Your sex partner has HIV. You have any of the symptoms listed above. Who to see Your family doctor or general practitioner can diagnose and may treat HIV. Complications of HIV may require treatment by the following doctors: Cardiologist Dermatologist Gastroenterologist Infectious disease specialist Nephrologist Oncologist Ophthalmologist Orthopedic surgeon Respirologist pulmonologist If you don't have a doctor Public health units and other organizations may provide free or low-cost, confidential testing and counselling about HIV and high-risk behaviour.
Women who are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant. Anyone who has shared needles, syringes, spoons or other drug use equipment with someone who is HIV-positive or whose HIV status is unknown. Victims of sexual assault. Men who have sex with other men.
Anyone who has tested positive for another sexually transmitted or blood-borne infection, such as syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C. Fear of being tested Some people are afraid to be tested for HIV.
This will give you an opportunity to: Discuss your fears about being tested. Learn how to reduce your risk of becoming infected if your test is negative. Learn how to keep from spreading HIV to others if your test is positive. Think about personal issues, such as how having HIV will affect you socially, emotionally, professionally, and financially.
Learn what you need to do to stay healthy as long as possible. Until you know the results of your test: Avoid sexual contact with others.
If you do have sex, practice safer sex. Do not share needles, syringes, cookers, cotton, cocaine spoons, or eyedroppers. Testing positive for HIV If you test positive, your doctor will complete a medical history and physical examination.
He or she may order several lab tests to check your overall health, including: A complete blood count CBC , to identify the numbers and types of cells in your blood.
A chemistry screen , to measure the blood levels of certain substances such as electrolytes and glucose and to see how well your liver and kidneys are working. You may be tested for: Syphilis. Hepatitis A , hepatitis B , and hepatitis C. Tuberculosis TB. Viral load measures the amount of HIV in your blood. Testing for drug resistance HIV often changes or mutates in the body. You also may be tested for drug resistance when: You are ready to begin treatment. You've been having treatment and your viral load numbers stop going down.
You've been having treatment and your viral load numbers become detectable after not being detectable. How is AIDS diagnosed? Treatment Overview The most effective treatment for HIV is antiretroviral therapy ART , a combination of several medicines that aims to control the amount of virus in your body.
Other steps you can take include the following: Keep your immune system strong by eating right, quitting smoking, and learning how to avoid infection.
For more information, see Home Treatment. For more information, see Examinations and Tests. See a counsellor to help you handle the strong emotions and stress that can follow an HIV diagnosis.
For more information, see Other Treatment. Reduce stress so that you can better manage the HIV illness. Starting treatment Medical experts recommend that people begin treatment for HIV as soon as they know that they are infected. Learn more about HIV to actively share in health care decisions. Join a support groupto share information and emotions relating to HIV.
Use condoms whenever you have sex. Learn how to handle food safely so you don't get a foodborne infection. If your partner has HIV: Provide emotional support. Don't be afraid to discuss the disease. Often people with HIV need to talk. Protect yourself against HIV infection and other infections by not sharing needles or having unprotected sex.
Protect your partner with HIV from other infections by staying away from him or her when you are sick. Treatment to prevent HIV infection Health care workers who are at risk for HIV because of an accidental needle stick or other exposure to body fluids may need medicine to prevent infection. Prevention Safer sex Practice safer sex.
Alcohol and drugs If you use alcohol or drugs, be very careful. If you already have HIV If you are infected with HIV, you can greatly lower the risk of spreading the infection to your sex partner by starting treatment when your immune system is still healthy. Steps to avoid spreading HIV If you are infected with HIV, you can greatly lower the risk of spreading the infection to your sex partner by starting treatment when your immune system is still healthy. Take antiretroviral medicines.
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