HIV Virus and Precautions: Protect Your Health

HIV is a virus that affects the immune system and, if left untreated, can cause serious weakening of the immune system over time. When HIV infection progresses, it can lead to advanced immunodeficiency condition called AIDS. Today, HIV infection is not a disease that can be completely eliminated; However, thanks to effective antiretroviral treatment, it can be kept under control and people living with HIV can live a long and healthy life. 

Having accurate information about HIV is important both to protect from infection and to receive timely testing and health support after a possible risk. HIV; It can be transmitted from mother to baby during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding through unprotected sexual contact, contact with infected blood, shared needles and syringes. On the other hand, HIV cannot be transmitted through daily contact such as hugging, shaking hands, being in the same environment, or sharing the same food or drinks. 

In this article, we address frequently asked questions such as what is HIV, how is it transmitted, what are its symptoms, what are the ways to protect against HIV, when should an HIV test be done, and can HIV be treated?

What is HIV?

HIV is the abbreviation of the English phrase "Human Immunodeficiency Virus" and is defined as the human immunodeficiency virus. The virus specifically targets CD4 cells that play a role in the immune system. If left untreated, it can cause the number of these cells to decrease and the immune system's ability to fight infections to gradually weaken. 

The progression of HIV infection may vary from person to person. With early diagnosis and appropriate antiretroviral treatment, the proliferation of the virus can be suppressed. Regular use of the treatment helps protect the immune system and prevent disease progression. 

Are HIV and AIDS the Same Thing?

HIV and AIDS do not mean the same thing.

HIV is the name of the virus that affects the immune system. AIDS is an advanced stage in which the immune system is seriously damaged, which can occur as a result of the progression of untreated HIV infection.

Nowadays, the progression of HIV to the AIDS stage can be largely prevented by early recognition of HIV infection and administration of effective antiretroviral treatment. 

How Is HIV Transmitted?

HIV can only be transmitted through certain body fluids and certain ways of contact. The main ways the infection can be transmitted are:

• Unprotected vaginal or anal sexual contact
• contact with blood containing HIV
• Using common needles, syringes, or injection equipment
• Transmission from mother to baby during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding
• Contact with blood during non-sterile medical, surgical or piercing procedures
• Occupational exposures, such as some needle sticks, to infected blood in healthcare workers

In order for HIV to be transmitted, infectious body fluids such as the blood, semen, vaginal fluids, rectal fluids or breast milk of the person carrying the virus must enter the body through appropriate contact. 

Is HIV Transmitted by Daily Contact?

No. HIV is not transmitted through daily social contact.

With someone who has HIV:

• hug
• shake hands
• be in the same environment
• using the same toilet
• Eating and drinking from the same plate or glass
• sharing the same foods
• kissing with closed mouth
• coming into contact with sweat, tears, or saliva

It does not cause HIV transmission. Additionally, HIV cannot be transmitted through mosquitoes and other blood-sucking insects. 

Therefore, it is not medically necessary to exclude people living with HIV from social life or avoid daily contact.

What are the symptoms of HIV?

Symptoms of HIV infection may vary depending on the stage of infection. While some people may experience flu-like symptoms early in the infection, some people may not have any obvious symptoms. Therefore, it is not possible to understand whether you have HIV infection just by looking at the symptoms. 

Symptoms that may be seen in the early stages include:

• fire
• weakness
• headache
• sore throat
• swelling in lymph nodes
• skin rash
• Muscle or joint pains
• night sweats

There may be complaints such as.

Since these symptoms can be seen in many different infections or health problems, they are not sufficient alone for the diagnosis of HIV.

Can HIV Progress Without Symptoms?

Yes. HIV infection can progress without symptoms for a long time. It is possible for a person to feel healthy, especially in the early stages of infection.

Therefore, when there is a risky contact with HIV, it is important to get tested at the appropriate time instead of waiting for symptoms to appear. HIV testing is one of the main methods used to assess a person's infection status. 

How to Protect from HIV?

It is possible to evaluate more than one method together to protect against HIV infection.

Use Protection Methods in Sexual Intercourse

Correct and regular use of condoms is one of the important protection methods that reduce the risk of HIV transmission. It may also protect against other sexually transmitted infections. 

Regular testing for sexually transmitted infections and not delaying the treatment of existing infections are also important parts of the prevention approach.

Do Not Use Common Needles and Syringes

Sharing needles, syringes or other injection equipment between people who inject drugs may increase the risk of transmitting HIV and other blood-borne infections.

Therefore, it is important to use sterile and personalized equipment. 

Get Your HIV Test

Detecting HIV infection at an early stage is important for both the health of the person and the prevention of transmission. It is recommended that people at risk for HIV contact appropriate health services and get tested. 

If the test result is positive, the diagnosis must be confirmed by a healthcare professional and the appropriate treatment process must be initiated.

What is PrEP?

PrEP is a prevention method used by HIV-negative people to reduce the risk of contracting HIV infection. It stands for "pre-exposure prophylaxis", that is, protection before contact.

For people at high risk of acquiring HIV, PrEP may be an appropriate option with a doctor's evaluation. The drug or method of administration to be used should be determined according to the person's health condition and current medical recommendations.

What is PEP?

PEP is a post-exposure protection method used to reduce the risk of infection after possible contact with HIV.

For example, if there is a risk of HIV following unprotected sexual contact, shared needle use, or occupational exposure, a PEP evaluation may be performed. For PEP to be effective, it needs to be started as early as possible; The CDC states that it should be started within 72 hours of possible exposure. 

Therefore, if you think you have had a risky contact with HIV, you should not wait for the symptoms and consult a healthcare professional as soon as possible.

When Should HIV Testing Be Done?

HIV testing is used to evaluate infection status after possible exposure. However, the time at which tests can detect infection may vary depending on the type of test used and the time since exposure.

Therefore, it is important to get information from a healthcare professional about the timing of testing after a possible risk. If necessary, retesting after a certain period of time may be recommended.

In addition to HIV testing, evaluation for other sexually transmitted infections may also be required.

Can HIV Be Treated?

There is currently no standard treatment that completely eliminates HIV infection. However, antiretroviral treatment suppresses the proliferation of the virus, reducing the amount of HIV in the blood to very low levels.

Using the treatment regularly and as recommended by the doctor helps protect the immune system and prevent the progression of HIV. Today, thanks to effective treatment, HIV has become a manageable chronic health condition that requires long-term and regular monitoring. 

Does HIV Treatment Prevent Transmission?

The amount of HIV in the blood can be suppressed with effective antiretroviral treatment. There is strong scientific evidence that HIV is not sexually transmitted if the viral load is undetectable and permanently suppressed. This approach is expressed as “Undetectable = Untransmittable” or simply U=U.

Therefore, it is important for people diagnosed with HIV to start treatment as early as possible and continue treatment regularly, both for their own health and for preventing transmission.

HIV and the Risk of Infection During Pregnancy

HIV can be transmitted from mother to baby during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding. However, with appropriate antiretroviral treatment and medical follow-up, this risk of transmission can be significantly reduced.

It is important that pregnant women living with HIV or at risk of HIV be evaluated with gynecology and infectious diseases specialists from the beginning of the pregnancy process.

What should be taken into consideration to protect against HIV?

It is important to evaluate prevention methods appropriate to the person's risk status instead of sticking to a single method in protecting against HIV.

In particular:

• Using condoms in sexual intercourse
• Getting tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections at appropriate intervals
• Not using common needles or syringes
• Evaluating the PrEP option with a doctor in risky contacts
• In case of possible HIV exposure, consult a healthcare institution as early as possible for PEP.
• Regular use of treatments by people diagnosed with HIV

It is important for protection and prevention of infection.

Get Support from an Infectious Diseases Specialist with Happ Health

With the approach of "Health Everywhere, For Everyone, Always", we believe that it is important to access accurate information about HIV and other infectious diseases, to make timely evaluation in risk situations, and to provide early diagnosis and treatment when necessary.

If you have had a risky exposure to HIV, want to get information about HIV testing, are concerned about HIV symptoms, or need expert advice about contraceptive methods such as PrEP and PEP, contact Happ Health. Online Infectious Diseases You can benefit from the service.

An infectious disease specialist can evaluate your risk status and health history and guide you on HIV testing, evaluation of other sexually transmitted infections, contraceptive methods or further examinations when deemed necessary.

It is important not to waste time in terms of PEP, especially if there has been a possible exposure to HIV. If less than 72 hours have passed since possible exposure, a healthcare professional should be contacted as soon as possible to evaluate PEP suitability.