HIV/AIDS
Sign in to saveThe human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that attacks the immune system. Without treatment, it can lead to a spectrum of conditions including acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It is a preventable disease. It can be managed with treatment and become a manageable chronic health condition. While there is no cure or vaccine for HIV, antiretroviral treatment can slow the course of the disease, and, if used before significant disease progression, can extend the life expectancy of someone living with HIV to a nearly standard level. An HIV-positive person on treatment can expect
AI overview
HIV is a virus that attacks your immune system, and if left untreated, it can develop into AIDS and serious health problems. However, with modern antiretroviral medications, HIV can be managed as a chronic condition, allowing people with HIV to live long, healthy lives.
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Key facts
- Medical condition (new).name
- HIV/AIDS
- Medical condition (new).image
- Red_Ribbon.svg
- Medical condition (new).image_size
- 220
- Medical condition (new).caption
- The red ribbon is a symbol for solidarity with HIV-positive people and those living with AIDS.
- Medical condition (new).alt
- A red ribbon in the shape of a bow
- Medical condition (new).field
- Infectious disease, immunology
- Medical condition (new).synonyms
- HIV disease, HIV infection
- Medical condition (new).complications
- Opportunistic infections, tumors
- Medical condition (new).duration
- Lifelong
- Medical condition (new).causes
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- Medical condition (new).risks
- Unprotected anal or vaginal sex, having another sexually transmitted infection, needle sharing, medical procedures involving unsterile cutting or piercing, and experiencing needlestick injury
Article
40 sectionsContents
- Signs and symptoms
- First main stage: acute infection
- Second main stage: clinical latency
- Third main stage: AIDS
- Transmission
- Sexual
- Body fluids
- Mother-to-child
- Virology
- Pathophysiology
- Diagnosis
- HIV testing
- Classifications
- Prevention
- Sexual contact
- Pre-exposure
- Post-exposure
- Mother-to-child
- Vaccination
- Treatment
- Antiviral therapy
- Opportunistic infections
- Diet
- Alternative medicine
- Prognosis
- Epidemiology
- History
- Discovery
- Origins
- Society and culture
- Stigma
- Economic impact
- Religion and AIDS
- Media portrayal
- Criminal transmission
- Misconceptions
- Research
- References
- Notes
- External links
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that attacks the immune system. Without treatment, it can lead to a spectrum of conditions including acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It is a preventable disease. It can be managed with treatment and become a manageable chronic health condition. While there is no cure or vaccine for HIV, antiretroviral treatment can slow the course of the disease, and, if used before significant disease progression, can extend the life expectancy of someone living with HIV to a nearly standard level. An HIV-positive person on treatment can expect to live a normal life, and die with the virus, not of it. Effective treatment for HIV-positive people (people living with HIV) involves a life-long regimen of medicine to suppress the virus, making the viral load undetectable. Early testing can show if treatment is needed to stop progression and to prevent infecting others.
Treatment is recommended as soon as the diagnosis is made. An HIV-positive person who has an undetectable viral load as a result of long-term treatment has effectively no risk of transmitting HIV sexually. Campaigns by UNAIDS and organizations around the world have communicated this as Undetectable = Untransmittable.