Overview of HIV

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes an HIV infection. It eventually leads to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, commonly known as AIDS. AIDS is an advanced stage of an HIV infection. It causes a continuous deterioration of the immune system. HIV destroys the CD4 cells that are responsible for fighting infections and certain types of cancers. Although there is no cure for HIV yet, medication and treatment programs aim at increasing the patient’s longevity and ease the painful symptoms associated with this disease.

Below is an overview of the different aspects associated with this disease.

How long can an HIV infected person live?

• Over the past two decades, there has been an improvement in the life expectancy of people suffering from an HIV infection. HIV infected people are now able to lead a healthier and longer life by taking proper treatment.
• If treated an HIV infected person can extend their life by almost 51 years.

How does HIV spread from one person to another?

• HIV is transmitted from an infected person to a person who is healthy by sexual contact or contact with semen, vaginal fluids, or transfer of blood.
• HIV can also be transmitted from an infected mother to infant through breastfeeding.
• A child can also be infected through the mother during pregnancy or at birth either due to the transfer of blood or the contact with vaginal fluids.

What are the symptoms of HIV?
Some of the most common symptoms of HIV are:

• Weight loss, diarrhea, vomiting and nausea, persistent headache, muscle aches, joint pains, shorter breaths, swallowing problems, confusion, acute coughing problems, and short-term memory loss.
• Pelvic inflammatory disease, which is an infection in the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus.
• Bacterial and yeast infections and menstruation problems in women
• Low-grade fever
• Skin rash

What is an HIV skin rash?

• Among the early and common symptoms of HIV is the HIV skin rash that is experienced in around 90% of the cases.
• These symptoms are usually found on the skin of the infected person after 2 months of contracting the infection.
• HIV positive person may experience this rash as a symptom of the infection or as a side effect of the medication called the antiretroviral drug.
• Irrespective of it being a symptom of HIV or a side effect of an HIV medication, this rash becomes visible in flat red patches with red tiny bumps on the skin of HIV infected person. HIV skin rash pictures online can help one understand how they look.
• This rash is usually accompanied with severe itching.

Where does HIV skin rash appear?

• In most of the cases, an HIV skin rash appears on the hands and legs as well as the face and chest of an infected person.
• However, this rash can also be spotted in other regions of the body of an HIV positive person.
• Mouth ulcers can also be caused because of the skin rash.

How severe can HIV skin rash become?

• Often this skin rash is mild; however, it can trigger severe skin damage that can also be life-threatening.
• Due to the consumption of the antiretroviral drug, a rare skin rash may affect the HIV positive person which is called the Stevens-Johnson syndrome. The symptoms observed in the Stevens-Johnson syndrome are swelling of the tongue, fever, and rapidly developing skin rash and blisters.
• Once the rash has covered almost 30% of the HIV positive person consuming the antiretroviral drug, the condition is known as toxic epidermal necrolysis.

Is there a way to treat HIV skin rash?

• Immune system preservation and advancements in viral control have considerably helped in tackling the skin rash issue associated with HIV, reducing its severity, and making it less common.
• Therefore, to keep the skin rash in control regular medication should be taken.
• Once the real cause for the skin rash has been determined, the most suitable and useful treatment to minimize the rash size and its itchiness can be decided by the doctor.
• An HIV infected person whose skin rash is of a milder nature should avoid taking a hot water shower or coming in contact with direct sunlight.
• An HIV infected person can never be too sure about the cause for the skin rash; hence, it is advisable for the person to avoid bringing about any changes in the food items they consume or their cosmetics or even their toiletries.
• HIV positive person should not take up any new medical course until and unless it has been advised by a doctor.