HIV AIDS

HIV attacks the body's immune system, specifically the CD4 cells (T cells), which help the immune system fight off infections. Untreated, HIV reduces the number of CD4 cells (T cells) in the body, making the person more likely to get other infections or infection-related cancers. Over time, HIV can destroy so many of these cells that the body can't fight off infections and disease.

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HIV infection is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus. -infected blood -semen, or vaginal fluids.

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(1) acute HIV infection, (2) clinical latency, and (3) AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). The first stage is called "acute retroviral syndrome" (ARS) or "primary HIV infection," LASTS 2-4 WEEKS During this stage, you are at very high risk of transmitting HIV to your partner because the levels of HIV in your blood stream are extremely high.

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"Latency" means a period where a virus is living or developing in a person without producing symptoms.

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When the number of your CD4 cells falls below 200 cells per cubic millimeter of blood (200 cells/mm3), you are considered to have progressed to AIDS. Without treatment, people who progress to AIDS typically survive about 3 years Rapid weight loss Recurring fever or profuse night sweats Extreme and unexplained tiredness Prolonged swelling of the lymph glands in the armpits, groin, or neck Diarrhea that lasts for more than a week Sores of the mouth, anus, or genitals Pneumonia Red, brown, pink, or purplish blotches on or under the skin or inside the mouth, nose, or eyelids Memory loss, depression, and other neurologic disorders

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There were approximately 36.7 million people worldwide living with HIV/AIDS at the end of 2016. Of these, 2.1 million were children (<15 years old)

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ART drugs have been used since the mid-1990s and are the reason why the annual number of deaths related to AIDS has dropped over the past two decades.

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