By Glenna C. Bailey
Living with HIV can be tough. But we can help. HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It is the virus that causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). We’ll help you understand the signs and symptoms of HIV and AIDS. And share info about prevention.
HIV weakens your immune system. It makes it harder for your body to fight infections. And over time, it increases your chances of getting more infections, diseases or cancers. There is no cure for HIV yet. But with the right medical care, it can be treated. HIV spreads through bodily fluids, like:
A person might not show HIV symptoms for years. You should get a blood test done if you think you’ve been infected. Symptoms may be mild at first. But they may get worse and last longer over time. Some symptoms of HIV may include:
AIDS is the last stage of HIV. You’ll want to follow all your doctor’s instructions closely if you have this diagnosis. AIDS severely affects your nervous system and attacks your immune system. By this point in the infection, you may have:
You can prevent HIV infection by:
Glenna C. Bailey is a health literacy champion, fan of the Apostrophe Protection Society and staunch supporter of the serial comma. She loves writing about consumer health and making info easier to find, understand and act on.
Consulte si la cobertura de Medicaid de Aetna Better Health® está disponible en su estado.
Los enlaces a los diversos sitios de Aetna Better Health y a los sitios externos se brindan únicamente para ofrecerle comodidad. En Aetna Better Health no nos hacemos responsables del contenido, la exactitud ni las prácticas de privacidad de los sitios enlazados que no son de Aetna Better Health, ni de los productos o servicios descritos en dichos sitios.
Los enlaces a los diversos sitios de Aetna Better Health y a los sitios externos se brindan únicamente para ofrecerle comodidad. En Aetna Better Health of California, no nos hacemos responsables del contenido, la exactitud ni las prácticas de privacidad de los sitios enlazados que no son de Aetna Better Health, ni de los productos o servicios descritos en dichos sitios.
Los enlaces a los diversos sitios de Aetna Better Health y a los sitios externos se brindan únicamente para ofrecerle comodidad. En Aetna Better Health of California, no nos hacemos responsables del contenido, la exactitud ni las prácticas de privacidad de los sitios enlazados que no son de Aetna Better Health, ni de los productos o servicios descritos en dichos sitios.
