HIV

What is it:

Human Immunodeficiency Virus, or HIV, is an infection that weakens the body’s ability to fight infections and can cause AIDS or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. HIV is an infection with a long history, often misunderstood as something that only affects homosexuals and drug addicts. This is not true, and women, specifically women of color, are currently infected at higher rates than males. HIV or AIDS has not yet been cured and is considered to be the deadliest epidemic of all time.

HIV is the most dangerous STI. About one million people in the US have HIV, and another 56,000 people become infected every year. HIV is spread through bodily fluids, and once infected, a person will carry HIV forever.

Causes:

HIV is carried in blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk and can be transmitted through the following:

  • Anal or vaginal intercourse
  • Oral sex (less commonly transmitted this way although it is possible)
  • IV drug needles (sharing ones that have been contaminated)
  • Needles for bodily modifications (tattoos or piercings)
  • Childbirth
  • Transfusion of contaminated blood products
  • Breastfeeding
  • Accidental pricks with contaminated needles in a healthcare setting

Symptoms:

At first, HIV may present itself with symptoms similar to the flu. These symptoms usually occur 2-4 weeks after the initial exposure. During this time, your body is usually trying to fight off the infection. For many people, HIV is asymptomatic (doesn’t show any symptoms) for years after this initial phase. During this time, the infection can be transmitted to other people as you may not know you even have HIV. The following symptoms are ones that occur once the infection begins to reveal itself, even if it’s years after infection:

  • Sore throat
  • Fever
  • Mouth sores
  • Ulcers
  • Aching/stiff muscles or joints
  • Headaches
  • Diarrhea
  • Swollen glands
  • Rashes/eczema
  • Yeast infections
  • Tiredness
  • Rapid weight loss
  • Diarrhea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Night sweats
  • Mental disorders or lightheadedness
  • Thick, whitish coating of yeast on the tongue or mouth
  • Chronic pelvic inflammatory disease
  • Purplish growths on skin

Getting a Diagnosis:

It can take up to three months, sometimes more than that, for HIV antibodies to occur. Saliva and blood tests look for these antibodies, so if your test comes back negative you should always repeat it annually or semiannually. Anyone who is sexually active should be tested for HIV!

Treatment:

HIV cannot be cured, but it can be managed. Antiviral drugs, naturopathic remedies, nutrition, and consistent health care can mitigate the symptoms of HIV. Most treatment options work to protect the immune system from obtaining more infections and to prolong the period of HIV progressing to AIDs.

Prevention:

  • Use condoms for vaginal and anal intercourse as well as oral sex
  • Do not participate in IV drug use!
  • Get annual HIV screenings
  • Avoid blood, urine, or any other bodily fluids from coming into contact with the mouth, anus, eyes, or open cuts/sores if your partner is infected

If you think you may have been exposed to HIV, there are anti-retroviral medications that can be taken which reduce the risk of acquiring HIV after you have been exposed. Talk to your doctor immediately after you suspect exposure in order to get these medications!

Works Cited

Corinna, Heather. S.E.X.: The All-you-need-to-know Progressive Sexuality Guide to Get You through High School and College. New York: Marlowe, 2007. 304-05. Print.

“HIV and AIDS: Treatment & Care.” WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2016.

Planned Parenthood. Sexually Transmitted Infections. N.p.: Planned Parenthood Federation of America, 2010. Print.