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What is HIV and what causes this Disease?

What is HIV and what causes this Disease?

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the immune system of the body, and if left untreated, it weakens the system. The cell that is attacked is CD4 cells, immune system cells, also known as T-cells.     Over time, HIV kills the CD4 cells and weakens the immune system to the extent that

Gandhi Medicos January 4, 2021 2 minutes

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the immune system of the body, and if left untreated, it weakens the system. The cell that is attacked is CD4 cells, immune system cells, also known as T-cells.  

Over time, HIV kills the CD4 cells and weakens the immune system to the extent that it cannot fight any other infection, disease, and condition. With treatment, the infected person can continue with their life. Without proper treatment, an infected person can develop AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). HIV can cause-effect and changes in the entire body.

What causes it?

It is a transmissible disease, and its first outbreak goes back to the 1920s. Initially, this virus was found in chimpanzees and later moved to the human population when they consumed chimpanzee meat.

During the first outbreak, the virus started to mutate inside the human body and became HIV. It started in Africa, and then over several decades, the virus spread in many parts of the world. HIV may have entered the human population in the 1920s, but the first time it was discovered in a human blood sample was 1959. 

Transmission

The virus does not transfer through water, air, or casual contact. It specifically transfers from one body to another using bodily fluid. The bodily fluid includes breast milk, blood, rectal and vaginal fluids, and semen. HIV can also be transmitted through tissue or organ transplant or blood transfusion. This is why there is thorough HIV testing for every organ, blood, or tissue donor. 

An infected person, currently under treatment, with an undetectable viral load, may not transmit HIV to others.  

Conclusion 

Even though there is no specific treatment that may help eliminate HIV from the body, it attaches itself to the DNA. But, some medications help with managing HIV. Medical treatment requires antiretroviral therapy, and Viropil has the best combination of antiretroviral medicines.

This article follows medical accuracy standards and current clinical guidelines.

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