What is the difference between HIV and AIDS?
HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system and can lead to AIDS, which is a set of symptoms and illnesses that occur at the final stages of HIV infection.
Are HIV and AIDS the same thing?
No, HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.
What are the symptoms of HIV?
HIV symptoms can include fever, rash, headache, sore throat, and muscle and joint pain. However, some people with HIV may not experience any symptoms at all.
What are the symptoms of AIDS?
Symptoms of AIDS can include persistent diarrhea, rapid weight loss, fever, night sweats, and fatigue. As AIDS progresses, it can lead to more serious illnesses such as cancers and infections.
What is the treatment for HIV?
There is no cure for HIV, but antiretroviral therapy (ART) can help people with HIV live longer, healthier lives. ART involves taking a combination of medications that target the virus and prevent it from multiplying in the body.
What is the treatment for AIDS?
There is no cure for AIDS, but treatment options are available to manage the symptoms and improve quality of life. This can include medications to prevent and treat infections and cancers, as well as nutritional and supportive care.
How is HIV transmitted?
HIV is primarily transmitted through sexual contact, sharing needles or other injection drug equipment, mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding, and occupational exposure.
Can HIV be transmitted through saliva?
No, HIV cannot be transmitted through saliva, unless there are open sores or bleeding gums in the mouth.
Can HIV be transmitted through kissing?
The risk of transmitting HIV through kissing is extremely low, unless there are open sores or bleeding gums in the mouth.
Can HIV be transmitted through sharing utensils?
No, HIV cannot be transmitted through sharing utensils or drinking glasses.
What are some ways to prevent HIV transmission?
Some ways to prevent HIV transmission include practicing safe sex, getting tested and treated for sexually transmitted infections, using clean needles and other injection drug equipment, and considering pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for individuals at high risk of acquiring HIV.
What is pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)?
PrEP is a medication that can be taken daily to prevent HIV infection in individuals who are at high risk of acquiring HIV.
What is post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)?
PEP is a medication that can be taken within 72 hours of potential exposure to HIV to prevent infection from occurring. It is typically used in emergency situations, such as after a sexual assault or accidental needle stick injury.
Can HIV be cured?
No, there is currently no cure for HIV. However, with proper treatment, individuals with HIV can live long, healthy lives.
Is AIDS a death sentence?
No, with appropriate treatment and care, individuals with AIDS can live long lives. However, without treatment, AIDS can lead to serious illnesses and death.
Can HIV be passed down from mother to child?
Yes, HIV can be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. However, with proper treatment during pregnancy and childbirth, the risk of transmission can be greatly reduced.
What is the risk of HIV transmission through needle-stick injuries?
The risk of HIV transmission through needle-stick injuries is approximately 0.3%.
What is the difference between early stage HIV and late stage HIV?
In the early stages of HIV, symptoms may be mild or nonexistent. In later stages, symptoms can be more severe and can lead to opportunistic infections and illnesses associated with AIDS.
What is an opportunistic infection?
An opportunistic infection is an infection that occurs more frequently or is more severe in individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS.
How can HIV be diagnosed?
HIV can be diagnosed through blood or saliva tests that detect antibodies to the virus, or through viral load tests that measure the amount of HIV in the blood.
How can HIV be managed?
HIV can be managed through antiretroviral therapy (ART) to slow the progression of the virus and reduce the risk of transmission, regular medical check-ups and monitoring, and lifestyle changes such as healthy eating and exercise.
What is viral suppression?
Viral suppression refers to the level of HIV in the blood being so low that it cannot be detected by standard blood tests. Viral suppression is a goal of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and can greatly reduce the risk of transmission.
What is the average lifespan for someone with HIV?
With appropriate treatment and care, individuals with HIV can live long, healthy lives. The average lifespan for someone with HIV is now close to that of someone without HIV.
What is HIV stigma?
HIV stigma refers to negative attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors towards people living with HIV/AIDS. Stigma can lead to discrimination, social isolation, and barriers to accessing healthcare and other services.
What is the Global AIDS Response Progress Reporting (GARPR)?
GARPR is a reporting system used by countries to monitor progress towards global targets for HIV prevention, care, and treatment.
What is the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)?
UNAIDS is a United Nations program dedicated to ending the AIDS epidemic through prevention, treatment, and care strategies.
What is the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)?
PEPFAR is a program launched in 2003 by the United States government to address the global HIV/AIDS epidemic through prevention, treatment, and care strategies.
What is the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria?
The Global Fund is an international financing organization that invests in programs to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria in countries with high disease burdens.
What is a HIV/AIDS vaccine?
A HIV/AIDS vaccine would be a vaccine that would prevent HIV infection or slow the progression of the disease. Research into an effective HIV/AIDS vaccine is ongoing, but no such vaccine is currently available.
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