HIV: Current Research
Open Access

Moral Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of HIV Infection

Alice Hora^{* *}Correspondence: Alice Hora, Department of Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, USA, Email:

Author info »

Description

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is an infection that targets the immune system of the body. The most advanced stage of the disease is Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). HIV destroys white blood cells in the body, weakening the immune system. This makes it easier to contract diseases such as Tuberculosis (TB), infections, and some malignancies. HIV can be transferred through the interchange of body fluids from HIVpositive patients, such as blood, breast milk, sperm, and vaginal secretions. HIV can potentially be transferred during pregnancy and childbirth. HIV is a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI). It can also be transferred through contact with infected blood, injectable drug usage, or needle sharing. HIV is a lentivirus that causes HIV infection and AIDS. AIDS is a human disease in which the immune system gradually fails, allowing lifethreatening infections and malignancies to proliferate. Unprotected sex (including anal and vaginal sex), contaminated hypodermic needles or blood transfusions, and transmission from mother to child during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding are the main ways through which HIV is transmitted. Saliva, sweat, and tears do not transmit the virus. Safe sex, needle exchange programs, treating sick people, and both pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis are all methods of prevention. Disease in a baby can often be avoided by administering antiretroviral therapy to both the mother and the kid. Blood and blood products are the second most common method of HIV transmission. Blood-borne transmission can occur as a result of needle-sharing while using intravenous drugs, needle-stick injury, transfusion of contaminated blood or blood product, or medical injections using unsterile equipment. The chance of sharing a needle while injecting drugs ranges from 0.63% to 2.4% percent, with an average of 0.8%.

Diagnosis

HIV antibody testing, with or without HIV P24 antigen testing, is used to make a diagnosis. Assays for determining the level of HIV RNA (viral load) using nucleic acid amplification.

Treatment

Antiretroviral medication combinations Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART), also known as Highly Active ART (HAART) or combined ART (cART), chemoprophylaxis for opportunistic infections in high-risk patients.

Symptoms

HIV infection symptoms differ from person to person and also depending on the stage of the illness. The three stages of HIV infection are as follows: Acute HIV infection is the first stage, Clinical delay is the second stage, AIDS in its third stage. There is currently no vaccine to prevent HIV infection, and no cure for HIV has been developed. Here are some strategies to assist prevent the transmission of HIV which includes raising awareness among the general public, blood transfusions from recognized and accredited blood banks are safe.

Prevention

Using condoms protects against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Condoms must be used before any sexual contact between the vagina, penis, mouth, or anus occurs, never share syringes or needles, always use sterilized drug injection equipment and water while injecting drugs, and never share them with others, limiting the amount of sexual partners people have, the partner who is HIV-positive have a higher risk of contracting STD's, so get tested and treated for STDs, having a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) raises the chances of contracting HIV or transferring it to others, HIV preventive medicine, if the people are HIV negative, they can minimize the risk of infection by using Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) medication.

PrEP is offered for persons who are at a higher risk of HIV infection (who have an HIV-positive partner). A pill is frequently taken before having sex and becoming infected with HIV. HIV prevention from mother to child can be decreased by HIVpositive pregnant women who take HIV medications for their health and prevention of HIV.