HIV Full Form Name
Full Form of HIV :
Human ImmunoDeficiency Virus
HIV Full Form is Human
Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV belongs to the retrovirus group which
reproduces in the host cell and causes AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency
Syndrome). AIDS is a condition in which the immune system of the human body is
severely weakened and the body is left vulnerable for the opportunistic
infections to thrive.
The name HIV is probably derived
because; H – It only affects Humans, I – It weakens the immune system and
destroys all the vital cells that are meant to fight infections and diseases, V
– It is a virus that reproduces along with the cell, as it takes over the cell
in the host’s body
The danger about HIV is that it
does not reveal itself for prolonged period until it attacks the immune system
cells like CD4 and T-cells. It is a common misconception that every individual
who has an HIV is invariably affected by AIDS. If detected in early stages HIV
can be controlled by a therapy called ART or Antiretroviral Therapy and can
avoid AIDS. However, scientists are yet to come up with an effective solution
for HIV.
HIV Full Form – Additional
Information
It is a well-known fact that to
lead a healthy life one needs to have a healthy body. Thus in order to be
strong enough to ward off all diseases, our immune system should be sound with
an adequate amount of healthy white blood cells.
WHAT IS HIV?
As the term suggests, it is a
virus that weakens the human immune system and thus, the body becomes
susceptible to many diseases. In our body, there are white and red blood cells.
The white blood cells are responsible for prevention of diseases and protecting
the body from viral attacks. However, if the cells themselves become weak due
to external attack from viruses, then it loses the power to fight and protect.
There are white blood cells known
as CD4+ which are the main factors of the body defense system. It is when they
are infected and destroyed in large numbers that the person is said to have
contracted HIV. The virus, as well as the infection, is known as HIV.
Till date, there is no total cure
found for HIV. However, if detected early, it can be treated and controlled
thus enabling the infected person to lead a healthy and longer life. HIV is the
beginning stage of diminishing immunity. Nonetheless, if it is undetected and
untreated then it can enter its advanced stage that may prove fatal on most
occasions. This is known as AIDS or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
HIV may trigger the beginning of
the weakening condition. However, AIDS seals the condition as being totally
surrendering to the immunodeficiency virus. HIV / AIDS break the body defense
system barrier and hence the person can easily contract diseases and fall prey
to serious ailments like cancer, etc.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF HIV?
One should know for sure that HIV
or AIDS is not transmitted through general physical contact like a handshake,
hugging, etc. It is neither passed on by kissing or sharing food and drink with
an infected person. HIV cannot survive externally so there is no risk of
acquiring it by coming in contact with an infected person. When we say “coming
in contact” it means casually interacting with the patient. However, if a
healthy person has unprotected sex – anal or vaginal – with an infected person
then the virus gets transmitted easily.
Some common causes of HIV:
§ A healthy
person has sex without using a condom with an HIV infected person. It can be
either anal or vaginal sex.
§ A syringe is
used for injection with the same needle that was used to inject an HIV infected
person.
§ A hiv-infected
woman can pass on the virus to the baby during pregnancy, childbirth or even
breastfeeding.
Other than this, HIV is not
transmitted through general physical contact, saliva, sweat or urine. On
greater occasions it is a sexually transmitted disease. With proper precaution,
this can be averted. Many people shy away from HIV patients, assuming that the
infection can spread through coming in contact with the patient. This myth
needs to be broken and people should be properly educated on this matter.
KNOWING MORE ABOUT HIV
§ HIV is mainly
of two types. HIV-1 is the commonly occurring one all over the world. Whereas
HIV-2 has selected cases in India and Europe but is predominantly found in
Western Africa.
§ Contrary to the
assumptions that the infection can spread through sweat, saliva and urine the
main carriers of this virus are body fluids like semen, vaginal discharge,
blood, anal fluids and mother’s breast milk.
§ HIV is
incurable but can be controlled by medication and proper treatment.
§ Timely control
of HIV can prevent the dreaded advanced stage of AIDS where there is little
hope of recovery or survival.
§ Prevention is
better than cure. It is better to be safe than sorry, so do not risk life with
unprotected sex.
§ Since on major
occasions, it is sexually transmitted disease, it is better to refrain from
intimacy with the wife if a person is infected with the virus, as the same will
then get passed on to the wife as well as the conceived child.
§ Blood donation
is a noble gesture. However, it is essential to get tested for HIV before
donating blood because during blood transfusion if the blood used is that of an
infected person then the healthy blood patient stands the risk of getting
infected.
DEALING WITH HIV
The revelation that a person is
infected with HIV can be very traumatic, more so because there is no permanent
cure for it as yet. After learning about the condition the patient feels that
his/her life is slowly slipping away. There is no need to lose hope since this
is the primary stage and has not reached the final stage of AIDS. A visit to
the health care centre and a prompt start to the treatment can help keep
the condition in check and lowers the risk of the virus spreading and causing
more damage to the body and health.
Living with a positive attitude
helps and remember that there are others in the world suffering from this
condition too. Meeting and talking to similar condition people gives moral
strength and an insight into how the others are dealing with the situation. In
difficult times, support from family and friends is equally important.
Nonetheless, the doctors and healthcare workers are the main people who guide
the patient through the recovery process.
Another way of dealing with HIV
is bringing about some change in the diet and exercising regimen. Healthy
eating and regular exercises help in boosting the efficiency of the
antiretroviral treatment. Only physical wellbeing is not sufficient. A healthy
body with a healthy and positive mind works wonders to fight against any
adversities.
CARE AND PRECAUTIONS
HIV makes your immune system weak
and thus you become susceptible to any diseases. The most common that is
associated with HIV is Tuberculosis. It is advisable to have periodic check up
to be warned of any diseases that may have taken control of the body. Timely
detection can help in curing the condition and even help in controlling the
HIV.
Since it is a known fact that
unprotected sex causes the most damage, it is better to take all necessary
precautions. Nothing is more precious than life, so take utmost care of it and
live a healthy and happy life. There are over a million people in the world who
get infected with this virus. Hence, there is nothing to be ashamed or scared
of. In fact, reach out to people with similar condition and exchange note on
how to bring about positive changes and relief in life.
After sensing the presence of the
virus, if a person tries to keep it to himself then it is a wrong step indeed.
This will only cause more damage and spread the virus further instead of
keeping it in check by timely doctor’s visit and treatment. HIV is a condition
that should be treated as other diseases and attended to promptly.