HIV - is it treated at an early stage? Is HIV treated completely?

HIV infection is a viral disease. Do not confuse it with AIDS - (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). However, although these are different concepts, they are inextricably linked, since AIDS is the final and most severe stage of infection.

What is HIV infection?

It received its name in honor of the causative agent - the human immunodeficiency virus. The effect of this retrovirus is directed at the human immune system, which causes characteristic symptoms and conditions. The disease is anthroponous, that is, it is transmitted only from person to person, and not every contact with an infected person is dangerous. With tactile interactions, kisses can not transmit HIV. It is difficult to say whether this disease is treated. Scientists for many years are engaged in solving this problem, but the method of complete liberation from the virus at the moment is not invented. It is possible to conduct maintenance therapy, which will stop the development of the disease and will not allow him to go into AIDS for many years. This significantly prolongs the life of the patient, but it still remains the source of infection.

Etiology

The virus of immunodeficiency is transmitted directly from person to person, and the ways of its spread are different. First of all, the way to get infected with HIV is to call sexual contact. The maximum amount of the virus is contained not only in the blood, but also in semen and vaginal secretions. Unprotected sexual intercourse makes the risk of infection quite high, although there are data that a single coitus leads to the introduction of the virus into the body only in rare cases. The likelihood of infection increases many times in the presence of microdamages on the skin and mucous membranes. It is these small injuries that are the gateway to infection. Both men and women are susceptible to the virus, while the sexual orientation of partners does not play a role, since HIV is also transmitted through homosexual intercourse.

In second place - contact with the blood of an infected person. Most often in this way, drug addicts become infected when using one syringe with an infected one. It is possible to enter the infection into the body and with careless handling of medical equipment. Thus, a health worker can contract HIV from a patient. Previously, cases of transfusion of contaminated blood to patients were quite common. At the moment, strict measures of donor verification and exposure of donor blood have been introduced for 5 months, followed by a re-examination of it for the presence of the virus. This significantly reduced the probability of transmission of infection during transfusion, but sometimes such cases, unfortunately, occur.

Another way is to infect the child from the mother. It is possible to transmit the virus both during the fetal gestation and during breastfeeding. However, if the mother knows that she has HIV, special treatment and refusal to breastfeed, avoid infection of the child.

What if the contact with the virus still occurred? Next, it will be considered whether HIV is treated early.

What happens when a virus enters the body?

Careful study of pathogenesis allowed to answer the main question concerning HIV, is infection treated? The pernicious effect of the causative virus is related to its effect on T-helpers - the cells that are directly involved in the formation of the immune response. HIV causes a programmed death of these cells, which is called apoptosis. Rapid reproduction of the virus speeds up this process, as a result the number of T-helpers is reduced to such a level that the immune system becomes unable to perform its basic function of protecting the body.

Is HIV-infection treated?

Therapy conducted in HIV-infected people is aimed only at reducing the reproduction of the virus and prolonging life. Patients can lead a full life due to the influence of special drugs on the process of HIV reproduction. Whether the pathology is treated at any stage? Unfortunately no.

Infected people are forced to take the strongest antiretroviral drugs throughout their lives . This is the only way to avoid a rapid transition to the terminal stage - AIDS. At the same time, the treatment plan should change periodically, as long-term use of some drugs leads to mutation of the virus, as a result of which it becomes resistant to them. The solution to the problem is the periodic replacement of medicines.

Addition to medicamental treatment - a healthy lifestyle. Patients are advised to abandon bad habits, play sports and eat right.

Forecast

In general, it is unfavorable. Do not forget the answer to the question: "Is HIV treated completely?". This is an incurable disease at the moment, which requires constant maintenance therapy. However, the development of pharmacology and medical technology can prolong the life of such patients and even gives them the opportunity to have children.

Emergency prevention

The question is urgent: is HIV treated at an early stage? All people, especially medical workers, should be informed that infection can be prevented at the initial stage. Any contact with a suspicious biological fluid (blood, sperm and vaginal secret) requires immediate emergency prevention, which means the short-term use of antiviral drugs to prevent infection. It is conducted in specialized medical centers, but from the moment of penetration of HIV into the blood should not take more than 24 hours.

How not to get infected?

In order to answer this question, one should remember the main ways of transfer. First of all, unsound unprotected sex is dangerous. You should be careful when choosing a partner, which will reduce the risk of infection to a minimum. Medical workers to prevent infection should comply with the rules for handling tools and biological fluids. And one more measure of reducing the risk of HIV transmission is the prevention of drug addiction. People should know if HIV infection is cured. This will force them to take all necessary measures not to become infected with this terrible disease.

Pregnancy and HIV

Infection can be transmitted from mother to child, but this can be avoided if the woman is informed of her HIV status. Is the disease treated in a child? Carrying out antiretroviral therapy for certain periods of pregnancy can avoid infection of the baby. In addition, after birth, these drugs are prescribed and the child for a certain period of time. However, one should not forget that the infection can be transmitted with breast milk. The baby should only eat artificial milk formula.

HIV infection is a dangerous disease, because, despite ongoing treatment, the patient is the source of HIV throughout life. However, you should not completely avoid contact with such a person, making him an outcast, because this is a full member of society. The virus is not transmitted through touch, kisses, clothing; Airborne droplets are also excluded. You just have to avoid sexual intercourse and contact with blood.