Symptoms and Diagnosis of HIV & AIDS
By Mark Cichocki, R.N., About.com Guide to AIDS / HIV
Human immunodeficiency syndrome, more commonly known as HIV, is a disease that has had a public health impact all over the world. Since the early 1980s, HIV has changed the face of the world we live in. Today, the epidemic continues and for many, HIV is a daily companion. In order to control the HIV epidemic, we all need to learn as much as possible about the disease. For those living with HIV, comprehensive and up-to-date information is an essential part of a healthy life. There's no better place to start our education than at the beginning: HIV symptoms and diagnosis.
Prevention
The key to putting a halt to the HIV epidemic is prevention. The HIV/AIDS site at About.com provides a comprehensive collection of HIV prevention resources. The first step in controlling HIV is to prevent new infections. This group of resources provides you with the tools to take that first step.
- Risk Reduction vs. Abstinence: Which Works?
- HIV Prevention Techniques
- Which Behaviors Have the Highest HIV Risk?
Testing/Diagnosis
The first step to getting into care is to find out if you have HIV in the first place. The importance of early diagnosis of HIV can't be overstated. Decades of HIV and AIDS research has proven that the earlier HIV is diagnosed, the better the prognosis and the likelihood of a long, healthy life. So how are HIV and AIDS diagnosed?
The Biology of HIV
HIV is a very complex disease that impacts our body in many different ways. Understanding how HIV works and what it does to our body will help you better understand the disease. Understanding HIV can allow you to take control of the illness and live a healthy, productive life. These resources will explain the biology of HIV.
- The History of the HIV Epidemic
- Understand Your Immune System
- How Does The Immune System React to HIV
- HIV 101: The Basics
- Do I Have HIV?
- What Does HIV Do To Your Body
- Understanding CD4 Counts
- The Role of CD4 Cells in HIV
- What is the Importance of HIV Viral Load?
Symptoms
Because many people who have been infected with HIV have few or no symptoms initially, testing is the only way to know for sure if you are infected with HIV. There is, however, an assortment of symptoms that can be associated with HIV infection.
- What Are the Symptoms of HIV?
- Recognizing Acute HIV Infection
- 10 Symptoms Found in HIV
- Signs, Symptoms and Solutions
Opportunistic Infections
HIV impacts the body's ability to protect itself from illness and infection. When these infections strike, you need comprehensive information to guide you. This collection of resources provides the information you need to recognize opportunistic infections and to take steps to resolve them before your health suffers.
Data & Statistics
The numbers are sobering at times. But the statistics we collect help us better understand the epidemic and take steps to halt its spread. Track the epidemic around the world -- and in your own backyard -- with this collection of current HIV and AIDS statistics.
