Your body’s immune system works continuously to fight off infections and diseases; however, damage to the responsible cells weakens your immune system leaving you susceptible to various medical conditions and cancers. HIV is a notorious virus that can damage your system. When you fail to contact your doctor for professional help, this virus will severely damage and kill your CD4 cells. Dr. Sabri Malek and his team of professionals offer their vast patient population top-tier care to their various life-threatening conditions including HIV disease in Pasadena. Thanks to the team’s palliative care services that focus on your comfort, you will have the surety that someone will always be there watching over you.

HIV has several Q&A including:

What is HIV?

HIV is an incurable virus that works hard to overpower your immune system and spreads through body fluids. HIV advances in various stages before it progresses to AIDS. Fortunately, when you contact your doctor for treatment, he will help you manage your condition and help you live longer.   

What Are the Stages of HIV You Will Go Through Before the Virus Progresses to AIDS?

HIV has three phases, each of which has its unique symptoms. These phases are:

  •         Primary Infection/Acute HIV. During this first stage of the infection, you will have mass production of the virus in your body. You will start experiencing flu-like symptoms within the first few weeks of infection though the symptoms will not last long. While some people may experience rashes and stomach upsets among other signs, others may not portray any symptoms.
  •         Clinical latency/Asymptomatic stage. Once you are through with the acute stage, you may likely start to feel better. However, the virus remains active in your body, infecting other healthy cells. You may not have visible symptoms and you may even forget you contracted the virus.
  •         Symptomatic HIV. As the virus multiplies, you will develop mild or chronic symptoms including diarrhea, weight loss, pneumonia, and oral yeast infection.

When you fail to manage HIV, the virus can severely damage your immune system turning it into AIDS. AIDS will make you prone to opportunistic diseases and cancers. When you have AIDS, you will experience opportunistic conditions’ symptoms including chronic diarrhea and persistent fever.  

What Are the Available Treatment Plans for HIV-Positive Patients?

Currently, no treatment can eradicate the virus from your body since HIV permeates and inserts itself in your cells’ DNA. However, your doctor can help you minimize the virus’s symptoms with medical care. He will recommend antiretroviral therapy (ART) to suppress HIV and enable you to live for many years.

ART is a series of medications, each uniquely attacking the virus. The medications’ primary function is to slow the virus’s progression minimizing your risks of spreading the infection to another person.

Do not fall into depression when you suspect you have contracted the virus or at higher risk of being infected. If you fear that you have already been exposed to the virus, your doctor can prescribe PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis). However, for PEP to be effective, you have to take it within three days of contracting HIV. For more information on HIV, schedule an appointment with the professionals or call the facility’s direct line.