HIV/AIDS Facts

As per the WHO reports, every year nearly 2 million people die due to AIDS and there have been nearly 27 million deaths, till date in the world, due to this travesty of humanity. There has been no other infectious killer in human society worst than AIDS. Middle and low income countries have suffered the worst, especially the African and Asian countries. HIV AIDS statistics are mind-boggling, thought provoking and certainly scary. While more than 90% of AIDS cases have been observed in the developing world, the developed world is not untouched by the increasing incidences of AIDS. In November 2010, UNAIDS published its global epidemic AIDS report and estimated that nearly 33.3 million people were living with AIDS infection in 2009. Amongst the 33.3 million adults suffering from AIDS, nearly 50% of them were women. Knowing about HIV statistics is just a way to know more about the geographical distribution of this disease so that the affected countries can be helped in a more profound way. Just figuring out the number of people suffering from AIDS infections in the world is sufficient to highlight the endemic nature of this disease. While we know that millions are affected from HIV, let us know some crucial facts related to HIV infection.

Facts About HIV/AIDS

Going through the history of HIV/AIDS will reveal to you that it was in the year 1981, the Central Disease Control, US identified five cases of HIV in US, amongst homosexual males. While this was just a beginning of AIDS cases in US, AIDS was already proving to be the nemesis for many in the African continent.

Is HIV AIDS Just Like A Normal Virus; What is HIV/AIDS, exactly?
HIV is the acronym for Human Immunodeficiency Virus and just like cold or flu viruses, it affects us, causing hosts of medical issues. The classic difference; however, between a common cold virus and HIV is that, our body has no mechanism to fight the HIV AIDS infection. A common cold virus is killed by our immune system within few days time or after proper medication. However, HIV infection erodes the immune system's ability to fight with any external viruses. HIV can remain dormant in the body for a long time, before it strikes badly destroying the major players of the immune system, namely T-cells and CD4 cells. These cells are responsible for fighting against viruses and various types of infection that can attack our body. When these cells are damaged, our immune system becomes weak and hence vulnerable to even small viruses. When this happens, HIV infection leads to AIDS, that is the acronym for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. Medical experts believe that HIV infection was transferred from Chimpanzees in western Africa to humans a couple of centuries ago. Humans are believed to have contracted HIV after they ate infected animal meat. The striking difference between HIV and AIDS is self-explanatory. HIV is the virus that infects the body and AIDS is the name of the disease. AIDS is more appropriately defined to be the most advanced stage of HIV infection wherein 20 or more infections have infected the body. It is the complete deterioration of the immune system.

I'm in a Polygamous Relationship. Of late, I have Heard a Lot About AIDS. How is it Transferred?
If you're an individual involved with multiple sexual partners, you're at higher risk of contracting HIV infection, in case, you're careless about using protection. Ensure you're very careful regarding your sexual health. Do confirm if your sex partners are not infected from HIV. How can you get HIV? Following ways can transfer HIV infection:

• Unsafe vaginal or anal sexual intercourse.
• Unsafe oral sex with an infected person
• Transfusion of blood infected with HIV.
• Sharing or accidental use of contaminated needles, syringes and other sharp instruments
• HIV is also transferred between a pregnant mother to her baby during child-birth or breast feeding.

Is AIDS transferred by touching or hugging AIDS infected people?
AIDS is not contracted by daily activities or working with AIDS infected patients. You won't suffer from an HIV infection due to daily casual activities. HIV infection is not transferred through:

• Kissing
• Shaking hands/Hugging
• Sharing lavatories/toilets
• Coughing, saliva, sneezing
• Eating together/sharing utensils
• Swimming pools
• Sharing clothes
• Due to insect bites (mosquito, fleas, etc.)
• Patient Care

Is AIDS Curable? Are There any Treatment Methods for AIDS?
As such, there is no cure for AIDS. However, a mix of several treatment methods when combined can help in reducing several HIV aids symptoms. The combination Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) has evolved to become a healthier treatment option for AIDS patients. It helps in stopping the HIV reproduction in the body to some extent. When the virus production stops, the immune system lives longer. It is important for HIV patients to visit a medical expert in case you're suspecting AIDS signs.

One of the lesser known HIV AIDS facts regarding treatments is that once you have started the treatment, you must not step back, even when you encounter some normal side effects. A large number of factors are considered when an individual is getting ready to opt for HIV AIDS treatment. Medical expert guidance is necessary to improve the health of a patient. Lastly, no cure is better than prevention. You won't have to worry at all, if in the first place, you have been taking preventive measures to avoid this disease.