Whats It Like to Be Infected with HIV?

Update Date: 2024-05-17 Source: Network

Up until now, AIDS remains a incurable disease that can be transmitted through sexual intercourse, mother-to-child transmission, and blood transmission. Even if one discovers they have contracted AIDS, the best option is to manage the disease and prevent it from progressing further, rather than attempting to eradicate it completely. AIDS patients are affected for their entire lives, making proactive prevention crucial. However, it is also important to have an understanding of the infection experiences of AIDS patients, so that they can be detected and controlled as early as possible, minimizing unnecessary harm.

Acute infection phase:

Occurs within two to six weeks after contracting HIV. Symptoms are similar to those of a cold and tend to resolve spontaneously, leading many to believe they are not serious. However, during this phase, HIV antigens can be detected in the hospital, although HIV antibodies cannot yet be detected.

Asymptomatic infection phase:

During this phase, AIDS patients do not exhibit significant differences from the general population. However, they are already carrying the HIV virus and are considered to be AIDS patients, detectable through medical testing.

AIDS progression phase:

Occurs when the HIV virus has infected the immune system to the point that it can no longer maintain the minimum level of disease resistance. At this stage, AIDS patients may experience various symptoms and are considered to have full-blown AIDS. Many AIDS patients die within a few years of entering this phase. To detect AIDS earlier, it is necessary to identify symptoms before the latent phase, as once it has progressed to the AIDS patient stage, it is essentially incurable. The main symptoms prior to the latent phase of AIDS are similar to those of a cold, and individuals who have had sexual intercourse or blood contact with others should undergo testing to determine if they have been infected with the HIV virus.

Many people go undiagnosed during the latent phase of AIDS due to a lack of awareness or a belief that they are not susceptible to infection. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid risky sexual behaviors.