What is HIV?
The HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) causes AIDS. The virus acts by targeting and deteriorating your body’s immune system. The body, consequently, loses its internal defense force and it has a more difficult time combating disease and infection. Individuals may contract the virus but not have any idea, due to the fact signs and symptoms may not turn up for several years. Once in your body, HIV is able to do serious harm to the immune system. Men and women can happen entirely healthy but still carry HIV and pass it without knowing to other people. An HIV test is the only way to determine if you are infected with HIV.
Should I Be Tested for HIV?
Testing is recommended for whoever has engaged in high risk acts like sharing needles as well as unprotected sex.
How is HIV spread?
Most commonly, HIV spreads through sex with a partner who’s presently infected with the virus. The virus enters your body through the vaginal lining, penis, mouth, or rectum.
HIV could also be spread by directly coming in contact with HIV infected blood.
Females might spread HIV to their children while pregnant or through delivery. About one-quarter to one-third of HIV-infected women will pass the infection to their children if they do not get treatment for the virus.
What test is advised to diagnose HIV?
HIV/EIA (Elisa)
HIV infection is evaluated through the EIA (enzyme immunoassay). This particular test looks for antibodies made by the immune system any time somebody is infected with HIV. EIA is not 100% effective right after coming in contact with HIV. The HIV antibody will take time to attain quantities the EIA test can recognize. For this reason, contact our STD counselor to learn if you’re inside the EIA “window period”.
HIV PCR by DNA
HIV generates genetic material which can be detected by the HIV PCR by DNA test. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) process takes small quantities of the virus’ DNA and multiplies them exponentially. This permits for the tracking of the viral load after initial infection.
HIV Symptoms
HIV infection warning signs. If you are exhibiting any of these signs or symptoms, please call 1-877-516-4380.
- Dry cough
- Sudden weight loss
- Diarrhea enduring more than one week
- Severe fatigue
- Unusual blemishes or white spots on your tongue, throat or mouth
- Lymph glands in your armpits, groin or neck which are enlarged
- Pneumonia
- Brown, purple, pink or red blotches positioned on or below skin, inner eyelids, mouth or nose.
- Depression, loss of memory, or another neurological conditions
It can be difficult to say definitively the time duration HIV usually requires to progress to AIDS. It all depends on aspects of everyone’s lifestyle, age, and immunity to other diseases. Also, enhanced antiretroviral medications have increased the time it takes HIV to develop into AIDS.
