How does HIV infection occur? Can it be prevented from becoming AIDS? Know the gynecologist’s answer

HIV is a virus that weakens the immunity i.e. the body’s defense system. But it does not spread through everyday activities. Many people are still afraid due to misunderstanding, whereas correct information can save us from disease.

Dr. Manan Gupta, Chairman and HOD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Elantis Healthcare, Delhi, said that if timely treatment is given, especially antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV can be controlled. The person can live a normal, healthy life. According to him, awareness, safe behavior and regular testing are the biggest weapons.

How is HIV spread?
Dr. Gupta explains that HIV spreads only through certain body fluids like blood, semen, vaginal discharge and mother’s milk. It spreads when people have unprotected sex, share someone’s used infected needle or needle, or have a blood transfusion with infected blood. This virus can pass from mother to child at the time of birth or while breastfeeding. But this disease does not spread through touching, eating together, drinking water, hugging or air.

How long does it take for HIV to turn into AIDS?
Usually, HIV takes 8 to 10 years to develop into AIDS. If a person takes ART medicines regularly, the virus remains under control and the chances of developing AIDS are greatly reduced. ART keeps the body’s immunity strong, so that a person can remain healthy for a long time.

When is it called AIDS?
When a person’s CD4 count falls below 200 or he gets a serious infection, it is called AIDS. If left untreated, AIDS is a condition that can cause death to most patients. Things like weak immunity, stress, malnutrition, TB, pneumonia and not taking ART can further aggravate the disease.

How to prevent HIV?
According to Dr. Gupta, prevention from HIV is absolutely possible. For this you can take some important precautions. This includes using condoms, avoiding unprotected sex, never sharing someone’s needle or drug needle, using safe and tested blood. If pregnant women infected with HIV take ART properly, they can give birth to their child safely.