What are the Three Stages or Types of HIV Infection?

HIV Infection

There are 3 stages of HIV infection. Before discussing the different stages of HIV, let’s discuss what is HIV.

HIV (HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS)

HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system of the body and attacks the white blood cells of the body. People affected with HIV can live as long by taking antiretroviral treatment. If a person with HIV is left untreated, he could live more than 10 years. Because it takes 10-15 years for HIV to completely damage a person’s immune system.

Causes for a person getting affected by HIV (HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS):

• Blood
• Breast milk
• Rectal fluids
• Semen
• Vaginal fluids

A person affected with HIV should follow the below instructions for the treatment against the virus.

• Exercising every day.
• Avoid drinking alcohol.
• Eating healthy food.
• Quit smoking.

Here are a few symptoms of a person affected with HIV:

• Fever.
• Fatigue.
• Loss of appetite.
• Weakness.
• Loss of weight.
• Headache
• Diarrhea

Three different stages of HIV:

• Acute HIV infection.
• Chronic HIV infection.
• Acquired immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

Acute HIV infection:

Acute HIV infection is the initial stage of this virus. Acute HIV infection  develops after 2-4 weeks after a person is affected with HIV. It is also called primary HIV . When we are affected with Acute HIV  the virus in the blood keeps on increasing. Usually, when we are affected with HIV the immune system of our body produces antibodies to fight against it. When the antibodies are not enough to fight against HIV you get entered into the initial stage of HIV.

The symptoms of acute HIV are:

• Sore throat
• Aching muscles
• Swollen lymph nodes

Chronic HIV infection:

Chronic HIV infection is the stage of infection between Acute HIV  and AIDS. In this stage, the HIV level keeps on increasing. If chronic HIV is controlled it can prevent your body from entering the third stage which is AIDS. Chronic HIV infection is also called secondary HIV . In chronic HIV , the virus gets entered into the tissues and cells of our body.

The symptoms of chronic HIV infection are:

• Chronic diarrhea
• Recurring fever
• Weakness

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS):

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) occurs when your CD4 cell count is below 200 cells per µL. If a person affected with HIV doesn’t get the proper treatment it would take around 10 years for that person to develop AIDS in his body.

The symptoms of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are:

• Memory loss
• Pneumonia
• Neurological disorders
• Extreme tiredness

Here are a few drugs/medicines which would protect your body against HIV infection:

Dolutegravir

Dolutegravir is a medicine that protects us from HIV . Dolutegravir stops the infection from further growing and also stops the infection from attacking our immune system. Dolutegravir comes in the form of a tablet.

How to use Dolutegravir

Take the tablet twice a day. You can take the Dolutegravir tablet with food or without food. Also, take the tablet according to the doctor’s prescription. The quantity of tablets also depends upon age, the stage of the virus in your body, and other factors.

Dolutegravir 50mg

Dolutegravir 50 mg is one of the doses of Dolutegravir.

The other doses available for Dolutegravir are:

1. Dolutegravir 10 mg.
2. Dolutegravir 25 mg.

Here’s the side effect of Dolutegravir:

• Skin rash.
• Vomiting, dark urine, upper stomach pain.
• Swelling in your neck and throat.

Naivex Tablet

Naivex is a tablet that fights against the HIV present in your body. Naivex tablets 50 mg also stops the virus from further flowing into your body. Naivex improves the immune system of your body. We can store Naivex at room temperature.

Here’s the side effect of Naivex:

• • Sleep problems
  • Fatigue
  • Fat redistribution
  • Headache