Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention of HIV/AIDS

 

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the immune system so that the body's power becomes weaker and more susceptible to various diseases. If HIV is not treated quickly, it will develop into AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), which is the final stage of HIV infection and the body is unable to fight off the infection it causes.

 Risk Factors for HIV/AIDS

 HIV/AIDS enters through two routes, namely through genital fluids and blood, so that the risk factors for HIV/AIDS associated with these two things include:

• Change partners frequently.

• Having risky sexual relations, both homosexual and heterosexual.

• Using drug syringes at the same time.

• Transmission from pregnant women with HIV/AIDS through the placenta to the fetus

 Symptoms of HIV/AIDS

 Stage 1

 This phase is referred to as asymptomatic HIV infection, where early HIV symptoms are still not felt. This phase is not categorized as AIDS because it does not show symptoms. If there are symptoms that often occur, they are swollen lymph nodes in several parts of the body, such as the armpits, neck, and groin. Patients (PLWHA) in this phase still look healthy and normal, but sufferers are already infected and can transmit the virus to others.

 Stage 2

 The immune system of PLWHA in this phase generally begins to decline. However, symptoms begin to appear, which can include:

• Weight loss for no apparent reason. This weight loss may be less than 10% of the original body weight.

• Infections of the respiratory tract, such as sinusitis, bronchitis, middle ear inflammation (otitis), and sore throat

• Fungal infections of the nails and fingers

• Herpes zoster, which appears as water-filled rashes and recurs within five years.

•  Itchy skin

• Seborrheic dermatitis is a skin disorder that causes scaly skin, dandruff, and redness.

• Recurrent inflammation of the mouth and stomatitis (thrush at the tip of the lips)

 Stage 3

 In this phase, the typical primary infection symptoms begin to appear, so that it can indicate a diagnosis of HIV/AIDS infection. Symptoms at stage 3 include:

• Chronic diarrhea that lasts more than a month with no apparent cause.

• Weight loss of less than 10% of original body weight for no discernible reason

• Fever that comes and goes for more than a month

• Fungal infection in the mouth (oral candidiasis)

• White patches appear on the tongue that look rough, wavy, and hairy.

• Pulmonary tuberculosis

• Acute mouth inflammation, gingivitis, and gum infection (periodontitis) that doesn't go away

• A decrease in red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets

 Stage 4

 This phase is the final stage of AIDS, which is characterized by swelling of the lymph nodes throughout the body and the patient may feel some symptoms of opportunistic infections, which are infections of a weak immune system. Some of the symptoms can include:

• Pneumonia pneumocystis is characterized by extreme fatigue, a dry cough, shortness of breath, and fever.

• The patient is getting thinner and has lost more than 10% of his body weight.

• Severe bacterial infections, joint and bone infections, and inflammation of the brain.

• Chronic herpes simplex infection causing skin irritation around the genitals and lips

•  Glandular tuberculosis

• Fungal infection in the esophagus that makes it difficult to eat

• Kaposi's sarcoma or cancer caused by infection with the human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) virus is rare.

• Cerebral toxoplasmosis is a brain toxoplasmosis infection that causes an abscess in the brain.

• decreased consciousness. The condition of the body of PLWHA is very weak, so that activities are limited to being in bed.

 HIV/AIDS diagnosis

 If you realize that your behavior is at risk, immediately check with your doctor to get treatment. Initial treatment starts with a diagnosis to detect whether a person is infected with HIV. The diagnosis of HIV is confirmed by laboratory tests. The types of HIV laboratory tests can be:

• Serological tests consist of:

•  Rapid Test (Rapid Test)

•  Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) Test

• Virological tests consisting of

• Qualitative HIV DNA (EID). This test is used to diagnose the presence of the virus in infants less than 18 months old.

• This test determines the amount of virus in the blood.

 HIV/AIDS Treatment

Patients who have been diagnosed with HIV should immediately receive treatment in the form of an antiretroviral (ARV), which works to prevent the HIV virus from multiplying and destroying CD4 cells. This treatment can be used for pregnant women to prevent HIV transmission to the fetus. But keep in mind that this treatment must be done regularly and taken according to schedule at the same time every day so that the development of the virus can be controlled.

HIV/AIDS Prevention

HIV transmission can be prevented by the following steps:

• Be faithful to your partner and avoid changing partners.

• Avoid using drugs, especially through needles.

• Correct HIV education about the mode of transmission, prevention, and treatment can help prevent HIV transmission in the community.