Top Facts About HIV/AIDS

Despite having the resources to fight AIDS and ultimately come out of the same, a lot of deaths are still associated with it. Millions of people from all around the world contract the disease and tend to die at the last stage of the Virus. Based on the findings by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 1.1. Million Americans above the age of 13 were living with HIV during the end of 2014. Considering the extent of those figures, the need to know more about the Virus stands to be important even today. So to give you the right dose of facts, here are essential aspects that you need to know about HIV/AIDS.

1. Prevention is more critical than cure

When it comes to HIV, you need to know that prevention is greater than cure. As it is transmitted through the exchange of bodily fluids, the best weapon at hand is prevention. For this very purpose, you need to ensure that you have safe sex and also avoid drug paraphernalia like needles. Apart from that, getting tested regularly will also help you be safe and aware of the current state of affairs.

2. Anyone can get the Virus

Yes, that’s right. One of the most significant facts about HIV is that anyone can get it. Although in the past, people were made to believe that only gay men can get affected by the Virus, it is now learned that anyone can get infected by HIV. While gay, bisexual and other men who indulge in sex with another man stands to be at a higher chance of getting infected, men and women who have heterosexual sex also come in the line of vulnerability.

3. Specific methods of contact

The transmission of HIV is a topic that has generated a lot of myths with people classifying that you can get infected with insect bites, hugging, shaking hands, sharing toilets and so on. So to set the record straight, you need to know that is transmitted through unprotected sex, use of contaminated surgical equipment, transmission between a mother and her baby during pregnancy, sharing contaminated injecting material and transfusions of contaminated blood or products. These are the many ways of transmission stated by WHO.

4. Affects the Immune System

HIV significantly affects the immune system of an individual, thus breaking down the ability to face infections and other such diseases. When it reaches advanced stages, the Virus begins to get worse, and complete control over the system will be lost. Fading energy levels and other such matters will come to light. Hence, remember these facts and proceed to live a life that is free of HIV and its many symptoms.