2023-06-02 14:25:48
There are many stories about the HIV virus – true and false. There are theories and speculations about how the virus is transmitted, how the disease progresses, who is infected, about living with HIV and about death from HIV. There is no vaccination against HIV, but it can be controlled.
The name HIV refers to the so-called human immunodeficiency virus and it names its most important property and effect. Despite the fear that the term inspires, the fact is that good condoms, sterile needles and very good existing therapy protect against HIV. Of course, education, self-protection and self-control are most important for the risk groups. They include homosexuals and drug addicts who inject their addictive substances into their veins. No matter what you hear, know that there is no shame in being infected with HIV and that if you have the slightest suspicion, you should see a doctor. We spoke to the permanent consultant of the magazine KOSMO, Dr. Vesna Budić-Spasic.
KOSMO: How is the HIV virus transmitted?
dr. Vesna Budić-Spasic: “It belongs to the group of retroviruses and is transmitted through mucous membranes and blood, most often through sexual contact or through objects contaminated with the blood of HIV-positive people. It can also be passed during medical procedures, blood infusions, tattoos, or from mother to child. Infections progress very differently in terms of form and time until the onset of the disease.
The incubation period can last several years and during this time the infected person has no symptoms. The infection is usually discovered incidentally when a blood test is taken. That is why a blood test for HIV is still carried out today when preparing for an operation, primarily to prevent the accidental transmission of the infection to the medical staff, who can easily come into contact with the patient’s blood cells. A virus is always an intracellular parasite and cannot survive or multiply outside the cell. It survives only very briefly in the transition from one cell to another.
It prefers cells of the immune system called T-lymphocytes, and when it lodges in such a cell, it destroys them, ie changes their metabolism in its favor and it is no longer able to perform its original function. If a large number of cells are affected, there is massive damage to the host’s immunity and this forms the basis for the development of the disease.”
Read more on the next page!
Follow us on social media!
1685720953
#HIV #education #important