A Global Mortality Scenario: Know More About HIV/AIDS

According to the surveys conducted in 2022, around 40.4 million total deaths were reported worldwide.

It is important to understand that, the Infection which is known to be a retrovirus, could be managed with any treatment but without any treatment can, this could a condition which includes the AIDS.

Symbolization: A red ribbon is considered to be as a symbol of the HIV- positive individuals and the ones who are suffering from AIDS.

It comes under the specialty of Infectious Diseases in the department of immunology

The full form of AIDS and HIV is as follows:

HIV- Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection
AIDS- Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

Key Facts on HIV- AIDS

More than 30 years since the disease, this is termed as AIDS has been recognized first in United States. At that point of time, was a death sentence.
There’s till date no known cure and also no vaccine is present to prevent any HIV infections.
Universally, lesser than around 1 in 3 people with your HIV would consume antiretroviral medicines regularly as to reduce any viral undetectable levels
Mostly called as HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND), this is seen to range from l memory loss (occasional) to even dementia.

Statistical Data

In India, the predicted number of AIDS-related deaths (ARD) in 2021 is 41.97 thousand. At the national level, ARD is predicted to fall by 76.5% between 2010 and 21. All States/UTs, with the exception of Pondicherry, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, and Tripura, have shown a downward tendency.

What is HIV AIDS?

HIV is known to be retrovirus that in human immune system (mainly CD4-along with the positive T-cells and your macrophages. Infection that can be caused by virus results in progressive depletion of your immune system, which ultimately leads to immunodeficiency.

Since AIDS is a syndrome, it is a compilation of different symptoms and any of the infections that can be associated with any acquired deficiency of your immune system.

Your Infection with the HIV has been well established as an underlying cause of AIDS. The HIV is of 2 types:

HIV1
HIV 2

This virus causes, what is called- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

What are Signs and Symptoms of HIV?

Depending on the stage of HIV, individual will face different symptoms.

Stage 1: Acute HIV Infection

After Incubation period of 2-4 weeks will generate flu like illness symptoms.

Flu-like symptoms can include:

Sore Throat
Chills
Fever
Rash
Muscle Aches
Night Sweats
Fatigue
Lymph Nodes (Swollen)
Mouth Ulcers

Stage 2: Clinical Latency

Also called: Chronic HIV Infection Stage

This has incubation (stays within the body itself) for 10 or 15 years, but a few individuals could have a faster 2^nd stage.

Note: If the viral load is seen detectable, you could transmit the HIV infection during this stage, even when the individual has no symptoms

Stage 3: AIDS

The 3^rd stage would weaken your immune system, along with multiple opportunistic diseases. The symptoms experienced here by patients are as follows:

Memory Loss
Pneumonia
Depression
Purplish Spots
Night Sweats

In short: The HIV is the virus which is targeting your immune system. It could damages along with destroying your WBC’s called CD4 T cells. If there is no treatment given, your HIV would progress to the advanced stage of the disease. i.e. Stage 3 HIV, or the AIDS.

What are the Causes of HIV/AIDS?
The HIV is transmitted when bodily fluids containing the virus are shared between people, including:

Blood
Pre-Seminal Fluid
Breast Milk
Semen
Rectal Fluids
Vaginal Fluids

Note: Virus is not transmitted through the saliva. Thus, one can share food items and drinks with the individual who is infected.

It will be not be spread by the following:

Kissing
Sneezing
Shaking Hands
Hugging
Sharing Food, Drinks

Apart from this, it can also spread by the following:

Anal Intercourse
Vaginal Intercourse
Sharing Needles
Injecting Drugs
Breastfeeding
Pregnancy

What does the Diagnosis and Management for HIV/AIDS look like?

There is a time period between exposure to HIV and when a test can detect it. This is known as the window period. The period can vary between people and the type of test used to detect it.

The Different tests for HIV are taken and carried out at our diagnostic center. These are as follows:

Antibody Test: The blood drawn from the vein would show a better detection rate than the one which is taking by a finger stick or with the oral fluid.
Antigen/Antibody Tests: In our labs this test involves the drawing blood from the vein. Apart from this, there is rapid antigen/antibody test that is available that can be done by a single finger stick.
Nucleic Acid Test (NAT): With a NAT, the health care provider will draw blood from your vein and send the sample to a lab for testing.

This test could indicate that the person has HIV or even how much of the virus would be present in the bloodstream (HIV viral load test)

There are also some lab tests that can be used to make decisions about the HIV treatment. These are as follows:

CD4 count
ELISA
Viral load Test
Antibody Western Blot
Drug-Resistance Testing

Note: These Tests would be Blood (Serum) test, no special preparation is needed before the test i.e. No fasting is required. After the test, you can resume your routinely activities soon.

Risk Factors

It is seen that healthcare professionals are at an increased risk of PEP or Post exposure Prophylaxis.

This exposure is taken into consideration within 72 hours of exposure with a HIV Patient.

This PEP is dealt with Emergency HIV Pills. This is taken for 28 days. This will be monitored for HIV for the upcoming days.

Effectiveness: It is not 100% effective, however any preventive technique, for example: barrier protection and any injection practices with safety.

Note: Incase, one is sexually active, symptoms wouldn’t be there, but it is still better to get tested.

It is recommended to always use protection during any sexual intercourse to reduce the chances of getting or even transmitting STDs. It is spread through the It is spread through the fluids such as : genital fluids, In this case, the diseases encountered are: Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and HIV.

Intravenous Drug Use

There are high chances of spread through an infected needle from one person to another. Any needle at the healthcare setting must not be reused.

Moreover, the drug addicts should be checked for contracting this disease from one person to another.

What is HIV Super Infection?

When an individual who is already suffering from HIV gets another type, or any strain, of the virus, it is known as HIV super infection

Any new strain of the HIV infection can replace your original strain or the strain that remains along with the original strain.
The Super infection causes using the (antiretroviral therapy or ART) which is being used to treat the original strain
The Hard-to-treat super infection is considered to be rare.

How do you Treat HIV AIDS?

The Antiretroviral medication is used for treatment of early HIV infection may have long-term advantages, such as enhanced immunity.

But you could choose not to receive treatment right away. Even if you decide not to start treatment, you will still require routine exams to monitor your immune system function and determine the level of HIV in your blood.

If your partner is HIV-negative, you might want to begin treatment. HIV transmission to your sexual partner can be stopped with treatment for your infection.

HIV strains that are resistant to drugs can spread to other people.

Use of HIV Treatment

Antiretroviral therapy, or ART, is a form of HIV treatment that entails following a doctor's prescription for medication. HIV treatment helps you maintain your health by lowering the amount of HIV in your body.

Shots may be an option for those who have been virally suppressed for at least three months or who have an undetectable viral load.

The Undetectable becomes Untransmittable is the basic line.

Complications of HIV AIDS

The individuals suffering from HIV AIDS can have the following

Complications

If the CD4 count of a person living with HIV falls below 200 cells per cubic milliliter (cells/mm3), or if they develop an opportunistic infection, the person is said to have AIDS.

Opportunistic infections: These Illnesses are typically mild in nature, in the people that are not suffering from the HIV but this arises more often than not and it is severe in the people with HIV if incase with a damaged immunity.
Herpes Simplex Virus: This is a common virus that affects many of the people; this causes them to occasionally causing the sores around your mouth or the genitals region. For individuals suffering with HIV, it could be an issue.
Candidiasis: This is a fungal infection that causes a thick, a white coating to form on surface of your skin, your nails, and the mucous membranes along with vulvovaginal yeast infection.
Pneumonia: It is caused by the bacteria, viruses, or any fungi. It can be termed as severe or life-threatening for the people that suffer from HIV.
Tuberculosis: The Tuberculosis is known to be bacterial infection of the lungs and this spreads to other organs of the body.
Cytomegalovirus: The Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is known to be a viral infection that could lead to brain inflammation, encephalitis, retinitis, inflamed stomach, or the gastroenteritis

Prevention of HIV AIDS

HIV is known to be a preventable disease.

You have the possibility of reducing the risk of the HIV infection by:

To Have Protected Sexual Contact
Have Voluntary Medical - Male Circumcision
Get Tested For STD’s (Sexually Transmitted Diseases)
Do Not Have Needle Sharing For Drug Use

Medicine Management of HIV

Antiretroviral Drugs (ARVS)
Injectable Long Acting Cabotegravir
Dapivirine Vaginal Rings
ART Therapy

Why Ganesh diagnostic and Imaging Centre should be your preference to test you for HIV?

At Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre, we are known for providing excellent service and care to its patients for decades. Lakhs of satisfied patients over the years!

It is an established and renowned diagnostic centre since 2001.

Their excellence is backed by NABH and NABL Accreditations.

NABH accreditation is proof of highest standard of care and service provided to the patients. NABL accreditation reflects the competency of laboratories and equipment based on some national and international standards.

Test report is available digitally too.

Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre is a one-stop solution for getting all kinds of tests done, as all services are available under one roof.

The aim of GDIC is to provide world’s finest technology at the lowest price.

The rates of scans are reasonably priced. Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre also offer FLAT 50% OFF on many tests.

AIDS HIV 1 and 2 Antibody Test- BOOK NOW
HIV Test Package - BOOK NOW
HIV 1 - Quantitative (Viral Load) Test- BOOK NOW
HIV 1 & 2 Antibody Western Blot- BOOK NOW
HIV 1 & 2 Antibody ELISA Test- BOOK NOW
HIV 1 RNA Quantitative RT PCR with CD3, CD4 Test- BOOK NOW
HIV PCR Test - BOOK NOW

Cost of HIV Tests in Delhi

The HIV Tests vary by region and facility. So constantly get tested at trustworthy diagnostic centers like Ganesh Diagnostic. It is staffed by trained and experienced professionals to assure patient and visitor safety.

So get your HIV Test done at your nearest Ganesh Diagnostic Center.

Note from Ganesh Diagnostic & Imaging Center

Early checkups are always better than delayed ones. Safety, precaution & care are depicted in the several health checkups at our center.
Here, at Ganesh Diagnostic and Imagining Center, we present simple & comprehensive health packages for any kind of testing to ensure the early prescribed treatment to safeguard your health.

So, visit us at the earliest to ensure good health and to maintain an active immune system

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on HIV-AIDS Test

How can a person with HIV increase their life expectancy?

It is seen that when there is right treatment and care, individuals with HIV could live in a normal lifespan. These individuals with good response rate could be if you are not smoking and live a healthy lifestyle

How many tests are needed to confirm HIV?

Mostly, there can be 3 types of HIV tests:

Antibody Tests
Antigen/Antibody Tests
Nucleic Acid Tests (Nat)

Note: Your Antibody tests look for antibodies to HIV in a person's blood or oral fluid. Your Antibody test scan would comprise of 23 to 90 days to detect the HIV after an exposure.

When should pregnant women be tested for HIV?

CDC recommends the routine prenatal HIV screening for all the pregnant women

During 1st trimester, with a repeat 3rd trimester screening
Increased Rapid HIV tests done for women.
In the 1st and/or 3^rd Trimester of the HIV test and in women that are at increased risk for the HIV acquisition.

What other tests can you do as Basic Tests for HIV-AIDS?

What all Basic Tests can be done for differential diagnosis is as follows: