Commentary on HIV’s Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

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HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, is a virus that attacks CD4-positive T cells, which are important for the immune system. If untreated, HIV can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). People with HIV are more likely to get infections and certain types of cancer because their immune systems are weaker. HIV was first found in the 1980s and has become a major public health issue around the world. The virus can stay inactive in the body for a long time. While there is no complete cure for HIV, proper treatment can help manage symptoms and allow people to stay healthy for a long time.

HIV is mostly spread through body fluids like blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. The highest chances of getting HIV are from unprotected sex, sharing needles (especially for drug use), and from an infected mother to her child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. HIV cannot be spread through casual contact, breathing the same air, or insect bites like those from mosquitoes.

Acute HIV infection is the first stage and happens 2 to 4 weeks after exposure. Early symptoms can feel like a cold, including fever and sore throat. The next stage is chronic HIV infection, where the virus still multiplies but doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms. If not treated, this stage can progress to AIDS, the most serious stage, usually within 10 years or less. During the early stage, HIV spreads easily, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to get infections and certain cancers.