Glossary
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a complex and potentially lethal virus that attacks the body's immune system, specifically the CD4 cells, often referred to as T cells. Over time, HIV can destroy so many of these cells that the body can't fight off infections and disease. This damage to the immune system makes it harder and harder for the body to fight off infections and some other diseases. Opportunistic infections or cancers take advantage of a very weak immune system and signal that the person has AIDS, the last stage of HIV infection.HIV is a type of virus called a retrovirus, which means it replicates itself into the DNA of the cells it infects. This allows the virus to remain in the body for a long time and continue to damage the immune system.
HIV is a unique virus because it has a long incubation period, which means that a person can be infected with the virus for many years before they start to show any symptoms. The virus is transmitted through certain body fluids—blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk—from a person who has HIV. These fluids must come in contact with a mucous membrane or damaged tissue or be directly injected into the bloodstream (from a needle or syringe) for transmission to occur. Mucous membranes are found inside the rectum, vagina, penis, and mouth.HIV is a global pandemic, affecting millions of people worldwide. It is most prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, where the majority of new infections occur. However, it affects people of all ages, races, and sexual orientations. The virus can be managed with antiretroviral therapy (ART), a treatment that involves taking a combination of HIV medicines every day. ART can't cure HIV, but HIV medicines help people with HIV live longer, healthier lives.
HIV medicines also reduce the risk of HIV transmission. If people with HIV take ART as prescribed, their viral load (amount of HIV in their blood) can become undetectable. If it stays undetectable, they can live long, healthy lives and have effectively no risk of transmitting HIV to an HIV-negative partner through sex.HIV testing is essential for prevention and treatment. It is important for everyone to know their HIV status. If a person is HIV positive, it is crucial that they start treatment as soon as possible to help manage the disease and prevent transmission to others. Prevention strategies are also key in the fight against HIV. These include using condoms correctly and consistently during sex, limiting the number of sexual partners, never sharing needles, and using pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) medications. Despite the progress in treatment and prevention, there is still no cure for HIV.
Research is ongoing to find a vaccine and cure for the virus. The challenges in finding a cure include the ability of the virus to hide in latent reservoirs in the body, the genetic diversity of the virus, and the difficulty in eliminating all HIV-infected cells without harming uninfected cells.
In conclusion, HIV is a serious and chronic condition that attacks the immune system, making it difficult for the body to fight off infections and diseases. It is a global health issue that requires ongoing research, prevention efforts, and access to treatment. Despite the challenges, advances in medicine have made it possible for people with HIV to live long and healthy lives. Understanding HIV and its impact is crucial in the global fight against this virus.