DRUG DISCOVERY
HIV AND AIDS
WHAT IS HIV/AIDS?
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus, also known as HIV, is a virus that attacks the body's immune system. If not treated, HIV can lead to AIDS. AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. This is the latest and most advanced phase of an HIV infection. To learn more about this virus, where it came from, how it spreads, and how to identify it, click the button below.
A short and fun video to help understand HIV/AIDS
can hiv/aids be cured?
Unfortunately, there is no current cure for HIV/AIDS. However, there are many antiretroviral treatments that can help suppress the intensity of the virus and control the spread. Also, treatments for prevention are available to fight off the infection even before or after exposure. There is a hope for a cure in the future and lots of research happening to eventually find one.
the importance of hiv/aids
Occurring worldwide, HIV/AIDS is affecting millions of people. Both adults and children have received this virus, with the most impacted region being Africa. In South Africa alone, 7 million people are identified as HIV positive.
​
​
Since the symptoms of HIV are not reliable
and can't always show that one has HIV,
testing is very important. If a HIV-positive
person does not know they are infected, a
HIV transmission may occur without knowing.
The HIV would then progress to AIDS within a
matter of time and may lead to death due to
the weakening of the immune system. Without
the protection from the immune system, our
bodies could obtain other infections. HIV could
go undetected for such a long time that people
wouldn't notice how much it is being spread.
Fortunately, there is treatment for HIV/AIDS
that allows people to live normal and longer lives even when diagnosed. However, preventing transmission in the first place is much safer and smarter, which is why HIV/AIDS education is very important. There is hope for a cure in the future, but for now, to be able to beat the virus, we must educate ourselves and others on HIV/AIDS.
stay updated
with @talkhiv onTwitter
with HIV/AIDS news on ScienceDaily
