General Information About AIDS-HIV
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
HIV is the name of the virus that attacks the immune system. AIDS is the most advanced and final stage of the disease where the body's defense completely collapses if the HIV infection is not treated.
It is transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse, contact with infected blood or blood products, sharing syringes, and from mother to baby during pregnancy/childbirth or breastfeeding.
It is absolutely not transmitted through ordinary daily social contacts such as hugging, shaking hands, being in the same room, sharing glasses, mosquito bites, sweat, or tears.
It may not show any symptoms for years after the virus is acquired. In advanced stages, chronic fatigue, persistent fever, unexplained weight loss, recurrent fungal and respiratory tract infections are observed.
A definitive diagnosis is made by detecting the antibodies produced by the body against the virus or the virus itself using Anti-HIV (ELISA) and p24 antigen tests performed on the blood.
There is currently no cure that will completely eradicate the virus from the body. However, with Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) drugs, the virus is suppressed to undetectable levels in the blood, and the person can live a completely healthy, non-contagious life.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
