HIV&AIDS

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks body's immune system. At the late stage of HIV infection, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) occurs. AIDS is an infectious disease caused by HIV. The transmission routes include sexual, blood and mother-to-child transmission. Sexual transmission is the most prevalent form of HIV transmission in China, including heterosexual and male-to-male sexual transmission.

The clinical process of HIV is divided into three stages - acute, asymptomatic, and AIDS. The clinical symptoms of most patients at the acute stage are mild, most people have flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat, night sweats, nausea, a rash, and swollen lymph nodes enlargement, which generally last for one to three weeks. The duration of the asymptomatic period is generally 6-8 years. The AIDS period is the final stage after HIV infection, and the main clinical symptoms are repeated fever, emaciation, various opportunistic infections and tumors.

At present, there is no effective cure or vaccine for HIV. However, HIV can be prevented and treated with antiretroviral therapy (ART). 

It is suggested that the public should master HIV prevention knowledge to avoid high-risk sexual behavior, drug abuse and other activities, refuse having multiple sexual partners and unprotected sex, insist on correct condom use and avoid syringes sharing. Once exposed to HIV virus, ART can be used within 72 hours to reduce the risk of infection.