HIV / AIDS
The human virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that attacks the system. Without treatment, it can lead to a of conditions including acquired immunodeficiency (AIDS). It is a preventable disease. It can be managed with treatment and become a manageable health condition. While there is no cure or vaccine for HIV, antiretroviral treatment can slow the course of the disease, and, if used before significant disease progression, can extend the life expectancy of someone living with HIV to a nearly standard level. An person on treatment can expect to live a normal life, and die with the virus, not of it. Effective treatment for HIV-positive people involves a life-long regimen of medicine to suppress the virus, making the viral load undetectable. Early testing can show if treatment is needed to stop progression and to prevent infecting others.
Underlined words are explained — tap any of them.
Symptoms — what it feels like
- ·Plain list
- ·Early: Flu-like illness
- ·Later: Large nodes, fever, weight loss
Causes — why it happens
- ·Human virus (HIV)
Prevention
- ·Safe sex, regular testing, voluntary male , needle and syringe programmes, pre-exposure (PrEP), post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
Treatment
- ·Antiretroviral drugs (ARVs)
Complications
- ·Opportunistic ,
The sections below are general education drawn from public guidelines (NHS, Mayo, CPIC, WHO, ICMR). They are not individually reviewed by a clinician and are not medical advice — always talk to a doctor about your own health.