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HIV And AIDS Are Not the Same Thing

By Dr. Mukesh Mehra in Internal Medicine

Nov 29 , 2022 | 1 min read

Often, HIV and AIDS are used interchangeably. HIV is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is the third stage of HIV. Due to the advancements in medical research, people who are compliant with antiretroviral treatment do not progress to stage 3 of HIV/AIDS.

Transmission Of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency virus)

HIV can be transmitted in the following ways:

Sexual contact with an infected partner
Blood contamination
Sharing needles
Mother to infant

AIDS, on the other hand, can be transmitted only after the person has contracted HIV.

Ways HIV Is Not Transmitted

Mosquitoes and other insects
Saliva
Tear
Sweat
Hugging
Shaking
Sharing dishes
Closed-mouth kissing/social kissing
Sharing toilets
Air

But the following body fluids can transmit HIV

Blood
Semen
Vaginal fluid
Pre-seminal fluid
Breast milk
Rectal fluids

Stages And Their Symptoms Of HIV Infection

Stage 1: Acute HIV Infection

HIV causes the following symptoms after two to three weeks of transmission:

Fever
Chills
Night sweats
Rash
Sore throat
Swollen lymph nodes
Muscle aches
Fatigue
Mouth ulcers

Stage 2: Clinical Latency/Chronic HIV infection

Generally, the patient remains symptomless during this stage as natural immunity fights against the virus. Patients can stay in this stage for even 10 to 15 years.

If the viral load is less, the patient won’t transmit HIV to the partner, but if the viral load is detectable, HIV can be transmitted.

Viral load is the number of viruses in a millilitre of blood.

Stage 3: HIV/AIDS

Persistent fever
Diarrhoea lasting for more than one week.
White spots in the mouth
Genital sores
Rashes
Fatigue
Significant weight loss
Persistent headache
Chills and night sweats
Opportunistic infections (pneumonia, tuberculosis, lymphoma)

Diagnosis of HIV Virus

Antibody tests
Antigen/antibody tests
Nucleic acid tests (NAT)

Management of HIV symptoms

Antiretroviral therapy, or ART, is used to manage symptoms of HIV.

Preventions From HIV Virus

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medicine
Do not share needles/syringes.
Use condoms

HIV is a Sexually Transmitted Disease and does not spread by sharing utensils or touching. So if your loved one is suffering from HIV, do not isolate them.