HIV AIDS

---

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus and is the virus in which AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) Comes from. Aids attacks the immune system making it impossible for your body to fight off any other infections and often people don't die of AIDS they die of more common disease and infections like pneumonia. It is believed that HIV/AIDs originated in Africa and after Beatrice H. Hahn, M.D., of the University of Alabama at Birmingham published her work finding chimpanzees in west Africa carrying a very similar disease SIV the fact that AIDS HIV originated in Africa and the fact that Africa has such extremely high numbers when it comes to HIV/AIDS infection everything seems to just click into place. The disease effects 10s of millions of people world wide and has become an epidemic especially in 3rd world countries but is to common in all countries. It is believed that the estimated number of people in the US infected with this deadly disease is around one million people since the early 80's. Worst hit is the African and Hispanic communities which make up most of the numbers.

HIV Aids is transmitted through the swapping of bodily fluids like blood or semen. People who have unprotected intercourse or share drug needles are at the highest risk. Fluids like tears, urine, or saliva also carry the virus but in very low amounts and is not very easily transmitted but should still be taken seriously until more tests and information are available.

AIDS Symptoms Do I Have AIDS?

HIV/AIDS is an extremely deadly disease and everyone who is sexually active or shares needles in any way should be tested. But before your tested you may ask yourself Do I have Aids? There are very few early HIV AIDS symptoms and is impossible to tell if someone else is infected with HIV/AIds. In the beginning like two to four weeks after being infected you may experience some flu like symptoms such as

• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness

And swollen lypnodes since that is where the HIV virus "hides out" as your body starts an all out attack on the virus and then like your body took care of the infection you probably won't see any AIDS symptoms for years to come.

Later symptoms of AIDS include

• Whitish coating of the tongue or mouth
• Recurring vaginal yeast infections
• Rapid loss of more than 10 pounds of weight
• Diarrhoea
• Bruising
• Purplish growths on the skin or inside the mouth

Or skin rashes. As you can tell all of these symptoms can be symptoms of many other infections so if you are experiencing any of them don't jump to any conclusions and go get tested. It will aleve your anxiety and make the world safer for everyone.