Q. What is HIV?
A. HIV is the terminology for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It causes HIV disease which may range from asymptomatic carriage of the virus to the most advanced stage of AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). HIV disease and AIDS are not synonymous and all persons with HIV do not have AIDS.
Q. How does a person acquire HIV?
R. HIV can be transmitted via the exchange of various body fluids from infected individuals, such as blood, breast milk, semen and vaginal secretions.
Transfusion of infected blood products, infected needle prick/injections, sexual contact with HIV infected person are the important modes of transmission.
Q.How does a person NOT acquire HIV?
R. HIV does not spread by touching, kissing, hugging, shaking hands, or sharing food or water of person infected with HIV.
Q. What are the symptoms of HIV infection?
R. HIV weakens the immune system of the body which leads to fever, weight loss, recurrent respiratory infections and diarrhea. Serious infections like tuberculosis, fungal infections etc may occur in advanced stages if treatment for HIV is not started on time.
HIV persons are also at higher risk of developing cancers as compared to general people.
Q. Can HIV infected person live a normal healthy life?
R. With the availability of safe and highly effective medicines against HIV, the life expectancy of people living with HIV has approached that of normal people. The quality of life is also excellent with correct treatment (correct drugs & doses)and when taken regularly.
Q. What is the treatment for HIV?
R. A combination of 3 or more drugs against HIV, called ART (Antiretroviral Therapy) is used for treatment. HIV can be kept suppressed with the daily intake of these drugs. The number of tablets to be taken is minimal (1 or 2) due to availability of fixed dose combinations.
Q. When should ART be initiated for treatment?
R. According to the latest data and guidelines, it is recommended to start ART as early as possible after the diagnosis of HIV rather than waiting for the disease to spread.
Q. Can HIV be permanently cured? How long does the treatment continue?
A. HIV can be kept suppressed by treatment. ART does not cure HIV infection but controls viral replication in the patient’s body and allows the immune system to strengthen and regain the capacity to fight off infections.
Once started, ART should be continued life-long.
Q. Can HIV positive mothers/ couples have uninfected children?
A. Timely ART can prevent the transmission of HIV from the parents to the child. It is possible to have healthy children for HIV positive parents.
