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25 years ago, when the first AIDS cases were reported in the US, it was considered a death sentence. People who contracted HIV were marginalized and excluded from society. But today, this is no longer the case. We now understand the virus, how it’s transmitted and how it affects the body. This section will give you the basics – we call it HIV 101.
+ What is HIV?
+ How is HIV transmitted?
+ How is HIV not transmitted?
+ How is HIV treated?
+ What is AIDS?
WHAT IS HIV?
HIV is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system, making it weaker and unable to fight off other infections, like a cold. All viruses produce an immune response in the body, during which antibodies are produced to remove the virus. HIV produces the same response, but the antibodies the body makes are ineffective against the virus, which continues to multiply up to billions of times a day.
The HIV virus attacks the CD4 (or T-4) cells in the blood. These cells are the “commanders in chief” of the immune system, which signal all other immune responses to attack a foreign virus or bacteria. HIV attaches to the CD4 cell, inserts a single strand of viral RNA into the cell along with some enzymes which then replicate the RNA to create DNA. Then the viral DNA becomes part of the host cell’s genetic code. This is why finding a cure has so far eluded scientists. How do you kill the viral DNA without killing the host’s own DNA in the process?
The good news is that significant progress has been made recently toward stopping HIV. And medications (ARVs = Anti-retroviral drugs) can minimize the virus’ ability to replicate, while at the same time strengthening the body’s immune system. This slows the progression of the virus and allows people with HIV to live full, productive, healthy lives. But still, there is no cure.
HOW IS HIV TRANSMITTED?
HIV can only be transmitted when the bodily fluids of an infected person get into someone else’s body. Here’s an easy way to understand it...the ESSE formula.
E - EXIT: The infected body fluid must exit the infected person’s body. This can be through unprotected sexual contact, by blood from an unsterilized needle, or from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding.
S – SUFFICIENT: Remember that the body has its own immune responses. If the amount of virus is too small, it may get attacked and flushed out of the body. Therefore, however the virus exits the body, there must be enough of it to survive the trip to its new home.
S – SURVIVAL: HIV is really a weak virus, and dies very quickly outside the body. It has to be in a fluid where there are healthy CD4 cells for it to attach to, or it dies. So the virus has to go directly from one host’s body to the new host’s body in such a way as to survive the trip. Again remember, the body will put up a fight.
E – ENTRY: The final part of the formula is the most important. The virus can’t be transmitted unless it finds a way into your body. HIV only lives in 4 body fluids: Blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk, so there has to be a direct point of entry from one body to the other. The skin is the first and strongest defense against any alien invader, and can stop most anything from entering the body as long as it’s healthy and intact. But swollen gums, broken skin, anal and vaginal sex all provide excellent entry points for HIV.
ANTI-STIGMA WARNING: Unprotected sexual contact is the most common way for HIV to be transmitted, but it is not the only way! HIV is NOT just a sexually transmitted infection! So when you meet someone with HIV, don’t assume that they got it through sexual contact!
HOW IS HIV NOT TRANSMITTED?
HIV cannot be transmitted by...
...sharing chopsticks,
...drinking from the same glass,
...eating from the same plate or even sitting at the same table as a person with HIV.
...swimming in the same swimming pool,
...by holding hands,
...kissing or even getting sneezed on by a person with HIV.
...mosquito bites, dog bites, baby bites or any other kind of bite.
...sharing towels, toothbrushes (EEW!), toilet seats or even beds with someone with HIV.
HOW IS HIV TREATED?
HIV is not the big, scary monster it used to be. Today, there are medicines available that can give people living with HIV normal, healthy life spans like never before. And the best part is, they’re free for those who qualify (residents of the Philippines who are covered by PhilHealth).
These medicines are able to slow the replication of the virus as well as strengthen the immune system. But it’s important that these medicines be taken religiously as prescribed – no missing doses – because the virus mutates and becomes resistant to treatment. But don’t worry, your doctor will make sure you have all that information when it’s time for you to start ARV treatment.
After being diagnosed with HIV, a person has to undergo a series of baseline tests to check his or her overall health. The HIV virus can cause serious problems with things that most of us would never think about, so it’s important to get thoroughly checked out.
The final baseline test is called the CD4 test. This measures the strength of the immune system by counting the number of healthy CD4 cells in 1ml of a person’s blood. Here’s the breakdown:
Normal: 800-1600 (approximately)
Less than 350, it’s time to start medications.
Less than 200, that’s a condition called AIDS.
After being diagnosed with HIV, there are 2 tests that will become routine:
1: The CD4 test is done every 6 months to check the status of the immune system.
2: Viral Load (VL) tests actually measure the amount of virus in your system. This test is done once a year after being diagnosed.
WHAT IS AIDS?
AIDS is not a disease. It’s a condition which simply indicates that the body’s immune system is dangerously low. But don’t get all upset yet, AIDS is often reversible. Many people have very low CD4 counts (some as low as 0), which is AIDS condition. But after being treated for any infections, and after taking medications for a while, their CD4 counts will climb back up to safe levels and they can live normally, just like everyone else.
NOTE: AIDS is not the end of the world, but it’s not a condition you want to be in either. AIDS, and all the infections that can go along with it, can be treated. But the key is early detection. This is why regular HIV testing is SO important!
So what are you waiting for? Let us help you take the test!
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