How many live with HIV? How fast is AIDS progressing?

How many live with HIV? The relevance of this issue is simply undeniable, but it is difficult to give an unambiguous answer to it. Medicine is now unable to cure people who are infected with the immunodeficiency virus, but scientists are making progress. At this time, doctors are able to control the amount of HIV in the body. A healthy lifestyle and medicines significantly prolong the life of patients.

What is the danger of HIV?

To understand how many years live with HIV and what are the prospects for an infected person, it is first necessary to understand how dangerous the human immunodeficiency virus is. This pathogen is young enough. It was discovered only in the 80s of the last century. By itself, it is not fatal. HIV affects only one type of cells in the human body - T-leukocytes. However, they are a key element of the immune system. Because of this, the body can not resist various infections. They are the ultimate cause of death. AIDS patients die from pneumonia, oncological diseases, hepatitis, tuberculosis, candidiasis and other diseases.

Invisibility of infection

In the body, the virus appears imperceptibly and does not manifest itself for a long time. Therefore it is rather difficult to say exactly how many infected people in the world - how many live with HIV and absolutely do not know about it. Once in the body, the pathogen begins to constantly and asymptomatically increase its population, while destroying the healthy cells of the immune system. Whether the person is infected is determined by a special blood test. Important indicators are the level of viral load and the number of T-leukocytes in the blood. The lower threshold of the immune system is 200 leukocyte cells per milliliter of blood. If less, the body's protection stops working at all. Normally, this figure is 500-1500. At a rate of 350 T-leukocytes, active antiretroviral treatment should be initiated, aimed at suppressing the pathogen and reducing its concentration in the blood. The answer to the question about how many live with HIV, directly depends on the degree of regularity and quality of therapy.

Evolution of infection

There are five stages of HIV. The period from two weeks to one year after infection is called the window period. It ends when antibodies to HIV appear in the blood. If a person's immunity is weakened, this stage does not last longer than six months.

Then follows the prodromal period. It is also called the stage of primary infection. Clinical manifestations during this period are as follows:

• hives;
• Low-grade fever;
• stomatitis;
• Inflammation of the lymph nodes: they increase, become painful.

The final stage of this stage is characterized by the maximum concentration of antibodies and virus in the blood.

Then the disease goes to the stage, which is called the latent period. As a rule, it lasts 5-10 years. Usually the only manifestation of HIV at this stage is a periodic increase in lymph nodes. They become dense, but not painful (lymphadenopathy).

Then comes the stage, which is called pre-AIDS. Its duration is 1-2 years. At this stage, serious depression of cellular immunity begins. A person can suffer from herpes (with frequent relapses). Ulcers of the mucous and genital organs do not heal very long. There is stomatitis and leukoplakia of the tongue. Candidiasis of the genital organs and oral mucosa is observed.

Then comes the terminal stage - directly AIDS. It is accompanied by the generalization of opportunistic tumors and infections. The forecast at this stage, as a rule, is negative. At this stage, even ordinary flu can kill a person.

How is HIV transmitted?

It is known that AIDS is one of the most terrible diseases of our time. Therefore, absolutely everyone needs to know how his pathogen is transmitted to avoid infection and that the question of how much they live with HIV does not become urgent and vital. This information also does not hurt in order not to humiliate patients again. The pathogen enters the body during unprotected intercourse, during the re-use of the syringe, with blood transfusions, through the mother's milk. Many people mistakenly believe that AIDS is a disease of drug addicts and homosexuals. However, this is just a stereotype. Any person can get infected with this disease. From this, no one is immune. Many people become infected by contact with the blood of the patient or during donor fences.

How many people live with HIV

As already mentioned, AIDS is a very dangerous disease. However, it is impossible to reliably predict how many people live with HIV. Even approximate data does not exist. After all, each organism is individual. Some die 3-5 years after infection, others die for decades.

Very roughly can tell about how much time they live with HIV, strongly averaged statistics. On average, this period is from 5 to 15 years.

The life expectancy of patients can not be measured reliably for some reason. First, it's no secret that many of the first infected are still alive. That is, more than 30 years. However, this period is not a limit. How many live with the diagnosis of HIV as much as possible, only time will show.

Secondly, medicine and science do not stand still. Since the discovery of the virus (in 1983), effective drugs have been developed that make it possible to stop the development of HIV. Correct medical therapy allows prolonging the patient's life. The work on creating a cure for AIDS does not stop. New, more effective drugs are constantly appearing . Antiretroviral therapy can prevent the evolution of the stage of HIV infection in AIDS. Strong medicines block the necessary virus for the development of the substance, thereby preventing the disease from progressing.

Thirdly, although the infection with the human immunodeficiency virus is not a death sentence, but the disease is very serious. How much you can live with HIV, largely depends on the rhythm and quality of life of the patient. And it is not easy. It is necessary to constantly check the level of T-leukocytes in the doctor, maintain their health, lead a correct lifestyle - there should be no bad habits. With a decrease in the level of immunity, it is necessary to undergo appropriate therapy courses. Even not too serious illness in any case can not be allowed to run its course. They need to be treated on time. These prescriptions are also required for children with HIV. How much they live, also depends on the characteristics of a particular organism and the timeliness of therapy.

Precautionary measures

People who live with HIV / AIDS (PLWHA) need to be careful in everyday life not to infect others and their loved ones. Unprotected sex should be avoided, children should not be breastfed, do not reuse needles and other stitching objects. You should also avoid sperm, blood, vaginal secretion on the mucous membranes and healthy people's wounds.

In what ways is HIV not transmitted

Many people mistakenly consider HIV-infected to be extremely dangerous to others. However, the virus is not transmitted through:

• air;
• Clothes and towels;
• Handshakes (if there are no open wounds on the skin);
• Bites of mosquitoes, mosquitoes and other insects;
• Any kisses (in the absence of bleeding cracks and damage to the lips and mouth);
• Dishes;
• Swimming pool, toilet, bathroom, etc.

Therefore, it is almost impossible to get infected in everyday life.

Classes of medicines for HIV treatment

There are three classes of medicines for HIV treatment. Therapy is based on the simultaneous administration of three medications from two different classes. This combination is necessary in order that the pathogen is not accustomed to drugs. If the chosen course of treatment is effective, it is prescribed for the rest of his life.

What you need to do to survive with HIV

Infected should do everything to strengthen immunity. It is necessary to try to exclude stresses, as well as negative thoughts about how many live with HIV. A lot depends on the inner mood. You must also adhere to a healthy lifestyle, eat fully (a diet with a large number of proteins), take vitamin-mineral complexes. All this helps the body to cope better with the disease. It is also necessary to maintain the body in a good sports form or at least regularly perform exercises. You can not abuse alcohol - it reduces immunity and reduces the effectiveness of medications. It is also recommended to stop smoking. In case of HIV infection, you should never use drugs. First, against the background of this disease, narcotic substances in themselves significantly reduce the life time. Secondly, drugs are incompatible with most antiretroviral drugs.