We have all heard of HIV and AIDS, but do we know what these concepts mean and what they imply? Can you differentiate between one or the other? Neither of them have the same meaning, nor do they have the same repercussions, so it is important to know them and differentiate between what AIDS is and what HIV is.
Although there is a lot of information available on the Internet, not all of it is accurate or true. This disease has been the victim of pseudoscience and conspiracy theories that have spread absurd and unreal ideas, thus fostering misinformation among the population.
We start from the idea that the virus exists, it is real and it is also dangerous. Knowing it and having information about the main prevention methods helps to reduce the risk of infection. We must remember that once infected, the disease has no cure, although there is a treatment that allows those who suffer from it to have a good quality of life.
AIDS/HIV exists and is real
There are many myths about AIDS. For example, it is injected into bananas to infect the population, and you can only contract it from another person’s sweat or through public toilets, etc. But, without a doubt, the most bizarre myth about this disease is the claim that AIDS does not exist.
In recent years, there has been a group of people who have spread the idea that this disease is not real, a phenomenon known as AIDS denialism. Those who defend this position maintain that HIV does not cause AIDS, that it does not exist or, if it does exist, it is temporary.
Although there are still some unknown aspects, this does not mean that it is not an invented disease.
HIV infection is real and claiming otherwise is not only a fallacy but also very dangerous, as it confuses those who do not have sufficient information and can encourage risky practices that end in a real HIV infection.
Relationship between AIDS and HIV
HIV and AIDS are different concepts that should be understood. When we talk about HIV, we are referring to the acquired immunodeficiency virus. It is not a single virus, which hides different changing forms of the same virus beneath the name. HIV attacks the immune system, weakening it and making people get sick much more easily.
When we talk about AIDS we are referring to a more advanced stage of the infection. At this stage, the immune system is much more deteriorated. The person can contract multiple infections that lead to fatal diseases.
HIV causes AIDS. HIV is a necessary but not sufficient condition for the syndrome to appear. You can be infected with HIV but not have AIDS or have significant symptoms.
Not showing symptoms despite being infected does not mean that you are not at risk, but quite the opposite.
A negative test does not mean that you are not infected
When a person is infected with HIV, he or she is considered HIV-positive. HIV-positive status is detected by a blood test that shows the presence of specific antibodies against HIV in the person. Many HIV-positive people do not know that they are HIV-positive.
If you have engaged in risky behavior and your blood test comes back negative, you may still be at risk for HIV. The time between when you become infected and when your body produces antibodies that can be detected in a blood test is known as the window period.
The window period can last from 6 weeks to 6 months. This means that once you have been infected with HIV, there may be a period when your test results are negative even though you are infected and can infect others.
There is no cure but there is treatment.
There is currently no cure for HIV/AIDS. No drug or treatment can eliminate HIV. Any product or person who promotes that they can cure HIV/AIDS is a fraud and is probably only trying to take the sick person’s money instead of improving their health.
However, although there is no cure for this disease, there is a treatment called “antiretrovirals”. This treatment strengthens the immune system to prevent HIV from developing and turning into AIDS or helps alleviate symptoms once the syndrome has developed.
With treatment, most people lead normal, healthy lives. People who have been infected with HIV or have AIDS can live for many years. However, there is still much research to be done to find ways to combat HIV/AIDS.
Your best weapon is prevention.
HIV/AIDS only affects humans, so it is with them that we must take protective measures. It is transmitted through blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or breast milk. Having sexual relations, and sharing a syringe or razor blade with someone who is infected are risky practices.
Prevention is the best weapon to avoid the spread of this disease. Not sharing needles, using a condom, or getting regular tests if you have engaged in risky practices are necessary measures to prevent the virus.
Always use a condom, and if you don’t, make sure that neither you nor the other person is HIV positive. You must educate yourself on how to prevent and detect HIV/AIDS, as failure to do so can have fatal consequences.