HIV (also known as the human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus which targets and attacks the immune system which in turn weakens your ability to fight infections and disease. If left untreated the HIV can lead to a disease called AIDS (which is known as the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). HIV affects the specific cells of the immune system which are called the CD4 cells and if left untreated, HIV can eliminate so many cells from the body and ultimately the body cannot fight off other infections or disease.
There are many symptoms/signs that you may have HIV. Within the first month or two upon catching HIV, almost 40% to 90% of people experience flu like symptoms which is known as ARS (acute retroviral syndrome). However sometimes the …show more content…
In this procedure, a small amount of blood is taken and tested in a laboratory. The result from this test is usually available within a few days and some cases on the same day. These tests however can only provide a reliable result after the patient has been exposed to HIV over 4 weeks. There are also other tests available which can help determine if you have HIV or not. One of these tests are the “point of care test kits”. This test tests a sample of the saliva taken from the mouth or a spot of blood taken from a pricking a finger with a needle. However results from this method can take several weeks if you have been infected with HIV for the virus to show up. There is also a tests which include the CD4 count. As mentioned before CD4 cells which are targeted and destroyed by the HIV. Even if there are no symptoms, The HIV infection progresses to AIDS when the CD4 count is below 200. There is also the viral load. This test measures the amount of virus which is present in the blood. In some cases the doctor may also order lab tests to check for other complication which includes tuberculosis, hepatitis and …show more content…
Those people are generally discriminated and due to the fear of discrimination lead people to a decision of not getting tested or disclose their HIV status and most likely not take any antiretroviral drugs. Due to this discrimination, these are the possible consequence of HIV-related stigma to be the loss of income and livelihood, loss of respect, loss of marriage/spouse, depression and poor care within the health sector. This is due to others believing that skin contact or anything they touch could spread the disease. Unstable housing has also been linked to the risk for HIV infection which includes IV drug use and unsafe sexual behaviours. Social economic status also determines the access to HIV treatments as people with low SES have delayed treatment and as they may not have sufficient health coverage, they may not receive optimal treatment and care for
There are many symptoms/signs that you may have HIV. Within the first month or two upon catching HIV, almost 40% to 90% of people experience flu like symptoms which is known as ARS (acute retroviral syndrome). However sometimes the …show more content…
In this procedure, a small amount of blood is taken and tested in a laboratory. The result from this test is usually available within a few days and some cases on the same day. These tests however can only provide a reliable result after the patient has been exposed to HIV over 4 weeks. There are also other tests available which can help determine if you have HIV or not. One of these tests are the “point of care test kits”. This test tests a sample of the saliva taken from the mouth or a spot of blood taken from a pricking a finger with a needle. However results from this method can take several weeks if you have been infected with HIV for the virus to show up. There is also a tests which include the CD4 count. As mentioned before CD4 cells which are targeted and destroyed by the HIV. Even if there are no symptoms, The HIV infection progresses to AIDS when the CD4 count is below 200. There is also the viral load. This test measures the amount of virus which is present in the blood. In some cases the doctor may also order lab tests to check for other complication which includes tuberculosis, hepatitis and …show more content…
Those people are generally discriminated and due to the fear of discrimination lead people to a decision of not getting tested or disclose their HIV status and most likely not take any antiretroviral drugs. Due to this discrimination, these are the possible consequence of HIV-related stigma to be the loss of income and livelihood, loss of respect, loss of marriage/spouse, depression and poor care within the health sector. This is due to others believing that skin contact or anything they touch could spread the disease. Unstable housing has also been linked to the risk for HIV infection which includes IV drug use and unsafe sexual behaviours. Social economic status also determines the access to HIV treatments as people with low SES have delayed treatment and as they may not have sufficient health coverage, they may not receive optimal treatment and care for