Difference Between HIV AIDS

A person is said to be HIV positive if that person is infected with the virus HIV. The person may not be sick at all. A person is said to have AIDS if the person is infected with HIV and has certain signs and symptoms of the disease. In short, HIV is the virus, and AIDS is the disease that it causes.

Affect Of AIDS On BODY:

It gets into a persons blood by attaching itself to white blood cells known as T-Lymphocytes.

Symptoms:

Swollen lymph nodes

Diarrhea

Weight loss

Fever

Cough and shortness of breath

Routes Of Contraction Of AIDS:

Sexual contact

The male and female's reproductive organs are covered by mucous membranes with blood vessels which are directly in contact with semen and vaginal discharge during sexual contacts. HIV can be transmitted by both homosexual and heterosexual contact, such as vaginal intercourse, oral and anal sex.

The presence of sexually transmitted diseases, ulcers and blood during sexual contact increase the risk of HIV transmission.

Blood contact

HIV thrives in blood of infected person. Hence it can be transmitted by contaminated blood, blood products and needles.

Blood-borne transmission of HIV usually occurs via sharing of needles or syringes in injecting drug users. It can also occur in health care setting, transfusion of HIV contaminated blood or blood products or needle stick injury of health care workers. HIV infection due to other accidents of blood-borne contact is very rare.

Mother to infant infection

An HIV infected mother can transmit the virus to her infant during pregnancy, delivery or breast-feeding. The chance is around 15-40%. Therefore if you are considering having a baby or you are already pregnant but you are not sure if you are infected by HIV, please contact the AIDS Hotline 2780 2211 and...