HIV
HIV is a virus that alters and targets the host’s immune system, elevating the risk and vulnerability of other diseases and infections. If untreated, the disease may progress to a more advanced stage, AIDS. Fortunately, medical advances have given those with HIV better access to the appropriate medical treatments to ensure that the condition doesn’t develop any complications. As a result, the WHO and many health agencies have noted that most can manage the infection and live healthy and long lives.
The infection is usually transmitted when bodily fluids contact permeable barriers of the body. Specifically, transmission can happen via blood, semen, pre-seminal fluid, vaginal fluids, rectal fluids, and breast milk. However, it’s worth noting that it can’t be transmitted via saliva, so it can’t be contracted by open-mouthed kissing, for example. Often, vaginal and anal intercourse is its most common cause among Americans.
The progression of HIV can vary depending on factors such as the person’s age, quality of healthcare access, genetic resistance, and HIV strain. In addition, symptoms can vary depending on the stage, with the early phase being fevers and muscle aches and the late ones being dyspnea, continuous fatigue, blurred vision, and elevated temperature levels.
