HIV and AIDS
goodtoknow says: HIV is no longer a death sentence. New drugs and treatments mean that many people who are diagnosed with it can live relatively normal lives for many years. HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is basically a virus which attacks the immune system. It's mainly spread by sex, needle sharing or contaminated blood transfusions. You cannot get HIV from kissing, sneezing, or sharing toilets. AIDS only develops once the virus has broken down the immune system but the outlook for people with AIDS and HIV in the UK has never been better.
For a full medical explanation of the causes, symptoms and treatments of HIV and AIDS from patient.co.uk, read on.
HIV is a virus which is most commonly passed on by sexual contact. HIV attacks cells of the immune system. Over time (usually several years) the immune system 'weakens' so that you cannot defend the body against various bacteria, viruses and other germs. This is when AIDS develops (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). Many infections and conditions can develop if you have AIDS. Since 1995 the outlook has greatly improved for people who have access to drugs that have been developed which suppress HIV.
- Next: What are HIV and AIDS?
Where to next?
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What is the treatment for HIV infection?
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How common is HIV?
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Advice about sexual partners
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Advice from a sexual health adviser
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Anogenital warts (genital warts)
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Chlamydia in women
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Conditions that are not STIs
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Genital herpes
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Other conditions that are sometimes thought of as STIs
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Other conditions that are sometimes thought of as STIs (cont'd)
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Pubic lice
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Kimberley, about 1 year
sophie it is a serious disease !! but as the article says it is no longer a death sentence as more people are being treated for this, all over the world even more less developed countries in medical research are even being treated!! many people still die but hopefully day by day less people will die of Aids And Hiv ! x
Report this commentsophie, about 1 year
i think hiv is a serious desese. i carnt believe how many people die of it each day!!!!
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sara, about 1 year
I guess sophie you are wrong by saying''i carnt believe how many people die of it each day!!!!'' I won't stop the way you feel, but...people are dying for they own ignorance! and indenial, until the desease itself comes to a pick of un treatable,it takes a matter of seconds to walk in hospital for tests just like the way you and me we do when it comes to paps smear! lots of medicine have been introduced for HIV so far,its not like in the 80's or early 90's when people where dying like chickens,sorry to speak,check out what up dates of HIV medics are on medical journals, the only illness you have to worry about is 'CANCER'
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