When people think of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), they almost always connect it to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). HIV causes AIDS but it does not mean that a person infected with HIV will ever have AIDS.

However, having HIV changes one’s life forever.

What It Is

HIV is a virus that kills cells in the body’s immune system. When a person is infected with HIV, it means his body can no longer fight infections or certain cancers in the way a healthy body can. It becomes AIDS when HIV reaches an advanced stage and the body’s immune system shuts down.

The virus is most commonly transmitted through unprotected sex with an infected partner. The virus spreads through contact with the vaginal walls, the rectum, the penis, or mouth. HIV is also spread through the blood system. If blood infected by HIV enters a healthy person’s blood system, infection is possible. That is one of the reasons why, before testing for HIV was required before blood donations, so many people contracted the disease through blood transfusions. Mothers who have HIV can transmit the virus to their children through pregnancy, birth or breast milk.

HIV is not spread through casual contact, like shaking hands, toilet seats, swimming pools, or even kissing (as it is not been shown that HIV is spread through saliva).

Symptoms

The symptoms for HIV often lay dormant for a while. In other words, a person could be infected with the virus and not realize it. After a few months, flu-like symptoms show up, like swollen lymph nodes, fever, fatigue, and headaches. Then the symptoms go away, and the infected person might believe it was just a case of the flu. However, it is during this initial flu-like period when people with HIV are most contagious.

After that point, HIV behaves differently in each person. Some people might see the flu-like symptoms every few months. In other people, the symptoms could lie dormant for years before reappearing.

If there is any reason to suspect HIV during the first stages of symptoms, the person should go to their doctor immediately for a blood test.

Treatment

When HIV is diagnosed, the patient will be put on a drug therapy. The medications will need to be closely monitored because the HIV changes the body’s immune system as it progresses.