HIV vs AIDS: Causes, Transmission, and Treatment

Most people are still confused on HIV and AIDS. Curious about how HIV and AIDS are different? Check out our blog to learn everything about HIV and AIDS, how HIV and AIDS affect the body, transmission, treatment, and prevention. 

What is HIV?

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It’s a virus that attacks the immune system, your body’s defence mechanism against illnesses. The immune system relies on cells called CD4 cells (a type of white blood cell) to fight off most infections. HIV weakens your immune system by destroying these cells and making it harder for the body to fight infections and diseases.

Types of HIV:

There are two main types of HIV:

1. HIV-1: The most common and widespread type of HIV globally.
2. HIV-2: Lesser known, mostly found in parts of West Africa, but it progresses slower than HIV-1.

Both types are dangerous and can develop into AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) if not managed properly.

What is AIDS?

AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection. Not everyone with HIV will have AIDS. AIDS happens when our immune system is extremely damaged and our body becomes vulnerable to opportunistic infections (infections that take advantage of a weakened immune system) or certain cancers.

People with AIDS may get some life-threatening illnesses that wouldn’t affect someone with a healthy immune system. Fortunately, many people with HIV can live long and healthy lives without progressing to AIDS with the help of our modern treatments.

Causes of HIV

HIV is caused by the HIV virus that spreads through bodily fluids. The virus can’t live long outside the human body, so it’s not something you can get just by being near someone with HIV.

HIV is mainly spread through:

• Unprotected sexual contact (vaginal, anal, or oral) with someone who already has the HIV virus.
• Sharing needles or syringes (among people who inject drugs).
• From mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.
• Blood transfusions or organ transplants from an infected person (though this is rare because of blood screening).
• Occupational exposure (e.g., healthcare workers being exposed to infected blood, though safety measures make this rare).

How is HIV Transmitted?

HIV is transmitted through bodily fluids like:

• Blood
• Semen (also pre-seminal fluid)
• Vaginal fluids
• Rectal fluids
• Breast milk

Note: HIV can’t be spread through casual contact like hugging, shaking hands, or sharing food.

Signs and Symptoms of HIV

HIV doesn’t show up with symptoms right away. The symptoms list can differ from person to person, but generally they occur in stages.

1. Acute HIV Infection (2–4 weeks after exposure):
   • This is the primary stage, and some people might get flu-like symptoms like fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, and rash. This is called acute retroviral syndrome (ARS).
   • Not everyone shows symptoms at this stage.
2. Clinical Latency Stage (Chronic HIV):
   • This stage can last for many years and the virus is still active here but reproduces at low levels. People may not get many symptoms or they may get some mild ones.
3. AIDS:
   • When HIV has severely damaged the immune system, the person might get very sick and have symptoms like sudden weight loss, chronic diarrhoea, fevers, and night sweats. Opportunistic infections (like pneumonia, tuberculosis, and certain types of cancers) become more common.

Learn more about how Allo Health can help you manage the symptoms of HIV.

How Does HIV Affect Intimate Relationships?

HIV can affect intimate relationships severely. It’s not just about the physical health risks; both of the partners get emotional, psychological, and social impacts too.

1. Fear of Transmission:
   • One partner might worry all the time about passing HIV to the other in an intimate relationship. The chances of transmission will reduce with treatment but you still need to talk about it with your partner.
2. Stigma and Discrimination:
   • There are a lot of stigma surrounding HIV. People worry about how their partner will react if they tell about their HIV status. They stay in constant anxiety.
3. Sexual Health:
   • Couples need to talk about some safe sex practices, now more than ever. Keep on using condoms consistently and in the right way to prevent transmission. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can also help HIV-negative partners reduce their risk.
4. Emotional Well-being:
   • Dealing with an HIV diagnosis in a relationship can be emotionally challenging for both partners. Talk about it and support each other for a healthy relationship.

How is HIV Diagnosed?

HIV is diagnosed by doing blood tests that look for antibodies to the virus or the viral load itself. If you think you might get HIV, get tested as soon as possible. Early detection helps to start the treatment early, manage the condition, and prevent the virus from spreading.

There are different types of tests:

• Rapid tests give results in as little as 20 minutes.
• Home testing kits allow you to test yourself at home. But for confirmed results you must consult with a medical professional.
• Laboratory tests are more thorough and are done at a clinic or hospital.

Treatments and Solutions for HIV

There is no cure for HIV, but there are some effective treatments that can help you to manage the virus and prevent it from progressing to AIDS. The main treatment is antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART is taking a combination of medications that help reduce the amount of virus in the body, known as the viral load. When the viral load is undetectable, the risk of transmitting HIV to others is very low- this is called undetectable = untransmittable (U=U).

Treatment is not just for people with AIDS- HIV-positive people should also start ART as soon as possible after diagnosis. People on ART can live healthy lives and will likely have a near-normal life expectancy after that.

How Can HIV Be Prevented?

Prevention is always better than treatment. Here are some ways to reduce your risk of contracting HIV:

1. Use condoms correctly every time you have sex.
2. Get tested regularly for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), positively if you have multiple sexual partners.
3. PrEP (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis): If you’re at high risk of HIV, you can take a daily pill of PrEP to prevent infection.
4. PEP (Post-exposure Prophylaxis): If you think you’ve been exposed to HIV already, start PEP within 72 hours to prevent the virus from taking hold of your immune system.
5. Have fewer sexual partners to reduce the risk of exposure.
6. Do not share needles or syringes, and avoid high-risk behaviours like injecting drugs.
7. Regularly get tested and start early treatment: If you know your HIV status then start your treatment as soon as possible to prevent the virus from spreading to others.

In a recent study– Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable HIV drug showed better result in preventing HIV infections. It has been proven to be more effective than daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

An online consultation with Allo Health’s sex experts from the comfort of your own home gives you more control of your health. Now get your full STI diagnosis at just Rs. 499 or through an online consultation at just Rs. 199 only.

Key Takeaway

• HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system, in more specific the CD4 cells (T cells). HIV can develop into AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) if left untreated, the final and most severe stage of HIV infection
• People who start ART early can suppress the virus and maintain a normal life expectancy. Routine HIV testing is recommended, especially for those at higher risk.
• Despite advancements in treatment and prevention, stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV still continue.
• There is no cure for HIV yet, but research is continually being done to develop an effective HIV vaccine. 
• Over the years, Allo Health has helped more than 75,000 patients with sexual health concerns. Our personalised treatment plan gives a high success rate in improving sexual function and treating infections of our patients. Book an online consultation with one of Allo’s leading experts.