¡EVERYTHING I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HIV!

HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS

WHAT IS HIV?💬

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention HIV is a virus that attacks the body's immune system. If HIV is not treated it can cause AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). To date, an effective cure has not been found. Once you get HIV, you have it for life. However, with proper medical care, it can be controlled.

HOW CAN I GET INFECTED? 🙋

Most people who contract HIV contract it through anal or vaginal sex without the use of a barrier method (condom), or by sharing needles, syringes, or other drug injection implements; In addition, this virus can be transmitted from mother to child through the placenta when the woman is pregnant.

WHAT ARE YOUR   SYMPTOMS? 💁

 The symptoms can be similar to those of the flu   and even to those of other diseases, for this   reason, the fact of having the symptoms does not   mean that you have HIV, in order to know this   you must perform the corresponding test.

 Sweats, shaking chills, recurrent fever, chronic diarrhea, swollen lymph nodes, persistent white spots or unusual lesions on the tongue or mouth.

HOW TO KNOW IF I HAVE HIV?💭

The only way to know if you have HIV is to get tested. Knowing if you have it helps you make healthy decisions to prevent getting or transmitting HIV.

  

DOES THIS HAVE A TREATMENT? 🙌

Treatment for HIV (antiretroviral therapy, ART, or ART) involves taking medications as directed by your healthcare professional. This treatment reduces the amount of the virus (HIV) in your body.

There is no cure for HIV, but I was able to control it with treatment.

Most people get the virus under control within six months.

Taking HIV medications does not prevent the transmission of other sexually transmitted diseases; For this reason, it is very IMPORTANT to remember to use condoms when having vaginal or anal sex.

• WHAT ADVERSE EFFECTS CAN THIS TREATMENT BRING TO ME? 😕

HIV treatment can cause side effects in some people. However, not all people experience side effects. The most common side effects are:

• 
  Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Difficulty to sleep
• Dry mouth
• Headache
• Rash
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Temporary pain at the injection site (for injectable treatment)

STRATEGIES FOR EARLY DETECTION 👀

Activities in order to identify the disease early and provide timely care and treatment. Such activities are: 

• In the health posts of the city, carry out rapid tests for HIV, which delay the result in a very short time. In case of being positive, referral to the corresponding place where more comprehensive care is provided. 
• In the newspapers that are given away in the streets of the city as the ADN, disseminate reliable information with figures, updated statistics and free points of attention, for people who do not use social networks or web pages.
• The media, such as radio and regional news, should allow a commercial where the information about the disease is expanded, and thus break the stigma a little more when talking about HIV or AIDS.
• Within the public or private institutions there is a counseling office on sexually transmitted infections, and in case of suspicion of HIV infection can access a timely consultat.

EXPERIENCES OF SOME PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD 💪

friday, december 1st

World AIDS Day 2023