HIV/AIDS Symptoms and Testing

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• HIV/AIDS Symptoms and Testing

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What is HIV?

• HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. This
  is a virus which affects humans and it can
  gradually damage an infected persons immune
  system, which we need to work properly to fight
  infection and illnesses. Without treatment and
  over a number of years, the virus can reduce the
  bodys ability to fight these infections and
  illnesses. However people living with HIV and on
  treatment, are much more likely to remain healthy
  and well.

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What is AIDS?

• AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency
  Syndrome. AIDS is a term used when a persons
  immune system begins to struggle to do its job
  and people begin to develop a number of
  infections and illnesses that they wouldnt
  normally get if their immune system were healthy.
  This is because of the damage caused by HIV. This
  progression to developing AIDS can be
  successfully stopped if HIV treatment is started.

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Main Sources of Infection

• The body fluids that contain enough HIV to infect
  someone are
• Seminal fluid (cum)
• Vaginal fluids, including menstrual fluids
  (period blood)
• Breast milk
• Blood
• The mucus found in the rectum (the bottome)
• Pre-cum (the fluid that the penis produces for
  lubrication before ejaculation)

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Signs and Symptoms

• Common symptoms of infection include
• unintentional weight loss
• chronic diarrhea
• recurrent infections e.g. chest infections
• skin rashes, especially on your face, genitals or
  anus
• an increase in herpes ulcers or thrush infections
  in your mouth and genitals
• sweats, especially at night
• unusual tiredness
• nausea or loss of appetite
• swollen lymph glands in the neck, groin or
  armpits.

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HIV Testing

• Knowing that you are HIV positive is so much
  better for your long term health, as you can
  start treatment early, which means that you will
  stay healthy and well for longer and live as long
  as most people who do not have HIV . Effective
  HIV therapy also prevents transmission of the
  virus to others. HIV testing can either be done
  by a sample of blood being taken from your arm or
  by using a pin prick test on the ends of your
  finger.

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Thank You ?