HIV Full Form: What are the Causes of HIV?

The full form of HIV is Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which is the virus that can lead to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). In this blog, we have mentioned the symptoms, causes, how is HIV transmitted, and also the measures to reduce the chances of getting HIV. You can also look for the CHC centers to know whether you have HIV or not. CHC’s full form is the Community Health Center which was first introduced in 1960. 

Read this: CSE Full Form: What are the Eligibility Criteria for CSE?

HIV Full Form

HIV full form is described as a Human Immunodeficiency Virus. AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) occurs as the primary cause of chronic and also fatal illness by HIV. HIV will make your immune system weak, which will interfere with your body’s ability to fight infections and sickness. 

HIV (STI) is a sexually transmitted infection. It can also be transferred through sharing needles, injecting illicit substances, and coming into touch with tainted blood. Additionally, it can be passed from mother to kid while she is pregnant, giving birth, or nursing. HIV can slowly erode your immune system over years without therapy, eventually leading to AIDS.

There is no recognized cure for HIV/AIDS. Drugs, however, assist in controlling the infection and halting the spread of the illness.

Symptoms of HIV

Others may have an influenza-like illness including fever, sore throat, headache, and rashes.

When these diseases severely impact a person, they cause weak immune system signs and symptoms swollen lymph nodes, cough, diarrhea, weight loss, and fever.

Stage of HIV infection

1. Acute HIV (First Infection) 

Symptoms like flu in HIV last for approximately 2 to 4 weeks after the HIV has been injected into the body. Acute infection is a condition that is primary and that might last for a few weeks. 

Primary early symptoms include: 

• Rashes 
• Night sweats
• Cough
• Weight loss 
• Fever 
• Headache 
• Diarrhea 
• Sore throat and painful mouth sores 
• Muscle aches and joint pain 
• Swollen Lymph glands which are mainly on the neck 

These symptoms are so minor that you might not be aware of them. Hence, the viral load in the bloodstream will be very high which will cause the spread of viral much more fastly into the whole body.

2. Chronic HIV (Latent Clinical Infection) 

At this stage of the infection, HIV is still found in the body and in white blood cells. However, many people could not get sick or show any symptoms at all during this time.

This phase may also extend several years if you are receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). Moreover, Some people develop more severe illnesses more quickly.

• Fatigue 
• Fever 
• Pneumonia
• Shingles (herpes zoster)
• Oral yeast infection (thrush) 
• Diarrhea 
• Weight loss 
• Swollen lymph nodes which are the first and main symptom of HIV

Causes of HIV

A human immunodeficiency virus that transmits sexually is the cause of HIV. Sharing needles for illegal injections and drugs, having sexual contact, getting into contact with infected blood, and also getting transmission from mother to child which can be during childbirth, pregnancy, or also by breastfeeding are the ways HIV may spread. 

CD4 T cells are the other name of White Blood cells, which are important for our body to fight the infection that gets destroyed by HIV. Your immune system gets weaker as you have fewer CD4 T cells in your body.

How is HIV transmitted? 

HIV transmission refers to the spread of HIV from one person to another. Only certain behaviors, like having intercourse or injecting drugs, can cause someone to contract HIV or may spread it to someone else. Only specific bodily secretions from an HIV-positive person can spread HIV:

• Blood 
• Semen
• Premenstrual fluids
• Urinary fluids
• Sexual fluids
• Mother’s milk

Measures to reduce the risk of getting HIV 

• You should talk to your partner about getting a test for HIV before having sex so that it will not get transmitted to you. 
• The main reason for getting HIV is anal and vaginal sex without the use of a condom or not taking medicines to prevent or treat HIV.
• Use condoms every time you have sex. 
• Get a test for STD which stands for Sexually Transmitted disease and it may cause HIV. 
• You should limit the number of sexual partners the more you get intimate, therefore, more chances of getting HIV are possible.
  

Know more: KYC Full Form: Your Guide to Know Your Customer and Beyond

FAQs