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HIV and AIDS: Definition, Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention

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Added on  2021-04-24

HIV and AIDS: Definition, Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention

   Added on 2021-04-24

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HIV 1HIVby Student’s NameCode + Course NameProfessor’s NameUniversity NameCity, StateDate
HIV and AIDS: Definition, Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention_1
HIV 2Table of contentsIntroduction to HIV.....................................................................................................................................2Description of HIV......................................................................................................................................2HIV and Pregnancy.....................................................................................................................................5Psychological impacts of HIV .........................................................................................5Prevention of HIV........................................................................................................5Condoms.................................................................................................................................................5Lubricants...............................................................................................................................................6Pre- exposure prophylaxis (PreP)............................................................................................................6Post exposure Prophylaxis.......................................................................................................................6
HIV and AIDS: Definition, Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention_2
HIV 31.Introduction to HIVThe area of reproduction is characterised by sexually transmitted diseases. They are illnessestransmitted from one person to the other through exchange of body fluids such as ejaculate, vaginal fluid,or blood. The exchange of body fluids occurs via sexual contact, where an infected host transmits theinfection to another person. STDs have a similar way of infecting people. Furthermore, they are caused bymicroorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and they show various symptoms in the body of the host. Theycan adversely affect the body when left untreated for a long duration (Kathy & John 2009).Figure 1: Concentration of HIV in various body fluids (Courtney, Kevin, & John 2009).2. Description of HIVHIV is a retrovirus that extremely affects the body and kills its hosts. AIDS is a disease caused bythe HIV virus. The virus compromises the function of the human immune system. The immune system isresponsible for protection of the body against infections. The HIV virus attacks CD4 T cells in theimmune system. This leads to a reduction in antibodies that can fight diseases hence compromising theimmune system. The person is later attacked by opportunistic infections, which eventually lead to death.The weak immune system falls prey to the simplest of infections because it is too weak to fight. AIDS is alethal disease that kills in the absence of proper medication (Markus 2011).HIV infection can be asymptomatic or silent. A large number of people infected with HIV do notrecognize symptoms of the infection. Therefore, people are advised to go for regular tests to determinetheir HIV status. Nonetheless, some newly infected people will experience symptoms of the infectionafter six months and the symptoms will occur in form of a general illness. HIV infection is alwayscomplicated as its symptoms include flu, nausea, and swollen glands. However, in most cases the patientslack symptoms (Julie & Silver 2017).When a person is found with a HIV infection, the individual is referred to as HIV positive. Thissignifies presence of the virus within the person’s body (Anthony 2007). The law requires that such newlyinfected people report their health status to their sexual partners, whether the partners are recent or past.Each nation has its own laws regarding HIV, the laws are meant to reduce spread and new infections,which is an anticipated goal in epidemiology and disease control. Sharing the outcome of their status tothe partners is something remarkable in helping other people avoid infections or seek life saving treatment
HIV and AIDS: Definition, Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention_3

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