Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS, a condition in humans in which the immune system begins to fail, leading to life-threatening opportunistic infections). Infection with HIV occurs by the transfer of blood, semen, vaginal fluid, pre-ejaculate, or breast milk. Within these bodily fluids, HIV is present as both free virus particles and virus within infected immune cells.
The four major routes of transmission are:
- Unprotected Sexual Intercourse,
- Contaminated Needles (included but not limited to health care workers, drug users and those who give and receive tattoos and piercing),
- Transmission from an infected mother to her baby at birth, or
- Through breast milk
If untreated, eventually most HIV-infected individuals develop AIDS (Aquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) and die; however about one in ten remains healthy for many years, with no noticeable symptoms.
SYMPTOMS
80-90% of individuals develop an influenza or mononucleosis-like illness called acute HIV infection, the most common symptoms of which may include:
- Fever,
- Lymphadenopathy,
- Pharyngitis,
- Rash,
- Myalgia,
- Maiaise,
- Mouth and Esophagal Sores, and may also include, but less commonly,
- Headache,
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Enlarged Liver/Spleen,
- Weight Loss
- Thrush, and
- Neurological Symptoms.
Infected individuals may experience all, some, or none of these symptoms. Symptoms have an average duration of 28 days and usually last at least a week although duration of symptoms may vary. Because of the nonspecific nature of these illnesses, it is often not recognized as a sign of HIV infection.
(www.cdc.gov)
