The HIV virus attacks the white blood cells of the patient and especially a subset known as T-helper cells or CD4. This attack makes way for the accidental infections to take benefit of the immune system which is weak and cause various disease, neurological problems and cancer. People having HIV and who have developed an opportunistic infection might have the acquired immune deficiency syndrome. With much care, treatment and continuous monitoring, they can stay happier and healthier.

The Causes for opportunistic Infections with HIV

A wide range of microbes can lead to opportunistic infections with HIV which is inclusive of viruses, bacteria, fungi or protozoa. Even earlier to HIV infections, we might have these germs in our body. But with a healthy immunity system they are kept under control. The places where the germs will be causing the opportunistic infections with HIV are water and soil, raw foods that are not cleaned properly, animal feces contact, contact with infected people or unprotected sex where germs commonly exist like care centers, schools or hospitals . Contact by sharing drugs and needles or other drug related equipment.

Generic Opportunistic Infections of HIV

Any malady can turn into an opportunistic infection of HIV when we have a weak immune system. Some are more common that other disease and some occur at certain CD4 count levels. Some of the common infections are,

Safeguarding from Opportunistic Infections of HIV

Some microbes which cause opportunistic infections of HIV are far-flung making it very hard for prevention. There are some steps for prevention as below,

1) Take nutritious food to enhance the immunity.
2) Do some regular workouts and check with the physician before planning an exercise routine.
3) Take enough rest and manage stress effectively.
4) Quit smoking and taking drugs if you have the habit.
5) Wash the food items very carefully before cooking. Do not take undercooked meat, eggs and also raw food items. Also wash the hands, knives and other kitchen stuff and use disinfectant liquid to clean them.
6) Practice protected sex and make use of condoms.

• Use towels while using shared equipment in gyms and for drying yourself after that.
• Avoid swallowing up pool or lake water that could be infected.
• Get vaccinations as per the recommendation of your doctor.
• Also take drugs for HIV in order to keep the immunity system healthy.

As long the count of CD4 stays high, the infections are less probably an issue.

For around thirty years, the Human Immunodeficiency virus and AIDS have got covered with many misconceptions and wrong opinions among the public. In certain cases, In certain cases, these erroneous thoughts have caused the very conducts which cause many people to get HIV positive. Although unreciprocated queries remain about HIV, Researchers have learned a lot about these misconceptions. Here are the top 10 misconceptions which exist and the actual facts which are against them.

Misconception No. 1: People can get HIV when they stay around HIV positive people.
The scientific proof is that HIV will not get spread through tears, touch saliva or sweat. People will get HIV through,

1. Breathing air that is inhaled by HIV positive people.
2. Using the same toilet set used by HIV affected people.
3. Drinking from same water container.
4. Kissing, Hugging or hand shaking with HIV positive people.
5. Sharing the eating vessels with HIV positive people.
6. Using the same equipment in gyms or other public places.
7. People can get them from semen, blood, mother’s milk or vaginal fluid.

Misconception No. 2: No need to fear about turning HIV positive as latest drugs can keep me safe.
Of course antiretroviral drugs are helping many HIV positive people survive for long time. But these drugs are very costly and cause severe side effects and do not give complete cure. Also, the strains for drug resistance of HIV can be a big challenge.

Misconception No. 3: HIV infection can occur from mosquitoes.
Since HIV spread through blood, people worry that blood sucking insects can spread the virus. But out of research, there is no considerable evidence for supporting this fact even with regions having lot of mosquitoes and AIDS infected people. When insects bite, they don’t inject the blood taken from the last bitten person. Also, the virus can live only for short duration within the insect.

Misconception No. 4: My life is over since I am HIV positive.
In early stages of the epidemic, the death rate due to AIDS was very high. But recently with the invention of many antiretroviral drugs, HIV positive people can manage to survive with the infection. In fact, during the years 2000 to 2004, there was 30 percent increase with count of people living with HIV infection.

Misconception No. 5: AIDS disease is genocide.
In a study, around 30 percent of Latinos and afro-Americans stated that HIV was the conspiracy of government to kill the minority race people. But the actual reason for more rates of infection among these races was there were low health care levels among them.

Misconception No. 6: I’m heterosexual and I do not use drugs, so I will not become HIV positive.
Many men become positive for HIV through homosexuality and drug usage. But, around 16 percent of men and seventy eight percent of women get HIV though heterosexual relationship.

Misconception No. 7: If I receive treatment continuously, I will not spread HIV virus.
When HIV treatment is good, the amount of HIV is low and does not come in blood test results and so protected sex should be practiced so that it does not get spread.

Misconception No. 8: I am my partner are HIV positive – So we do not need to practice protected sex.
Practicing protected sex can prevent both individual from getting infected with other HIV strains.

Misconception No. 9: I could find whether my partner is HIV positive.
HIV positive person will not have visible symptoms always and the only way to find if we are HIV positive is through proper test.

Misconception No. 10: HIV does not spread through oral sex.
Oral sex is not of big risk that other sex types but still HIV infections can occurs if oral sex is done with HIV positive people and its safe to use later barrier while enjoying oral sex.

Diagnosis of HIV/AIDS, the only method for ensuring that we have HIV is taking a blood test especially for looking the existence of it. The CDC offers the national principles for testing HIV in the US. They state that the normal personal can develop antibodies for HIV before twenty five days of virus exposure. HIV testing searches for the antibodies produced the infected patients, to fight the infection of HIV.

After three months, there is a 97 percent chance that the HIV testing shall find these antibodies, but it could rarely take around six months for them to be discovered. Hence, the official suggestion of CDC is for anybody with the danger of infection with HIV has to be examined 6 months after their exposure to HIV.

Many people take the test three months after their exposure and again re-test in six months. The CDC has outlined that the official suggestion for deciding the test will be grounded on the risk levels of the patient.
The tests which can be used for AIDS diagnosis are Western Blot and ELISA test. The testing is very simple, just taking a blood sample which will be sent to blood testing lab. There are also home testing kits. Testing can also be done anonymously and confidentially.

The Connotation of Analysis Results of HIV

The verdict for taking HIV examination indicated that there are certain risky characters which can cause HIV infection. Testing could be taxing very much that few people avoid it deliberately, which is not good. Testing ensure treatment can be started earlier. After testing, based on results a doctor, pastor or counselor can help the patients. People can all their local AIDS/HIV community to get help. If the results are positive, they should make a plan for taking care of themselves and to protect other people.

HIV existence does not mean death and there are people who live a happy and long life even with HIV. But they need continuous medical care to lead a successful live. If they do not have a doctor, it is good to consult their local health department for assistance. And any one who is HIV positive, must inform their sexual partners so that they would also get tested and treatment if required. It includes people who have also shared drug needles and other equipment.

Treatment Methods for AIDS/HIV

When people find out that they have HIV, they will not commence treatment immediately which depends on the duration they have got infection and the count of their CD4 T-cells. The resolution to take treatment depends on individuals’ past medical record and his/her medical health status at present.

The drugs for HIV treatment do not have the same results for all. But many drugs are available in market which can be combined to get good results. The HIV virus is smart and undergoes mutations continuously. People having HIV can pass out various strains of HIV to their partners. It is treated currently by using combination therapies by mixing certain medications.