{"id":12959,"date":"2024-10-21T09:19:09","date_gmt":"2024-10-21T02:19:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lovefoundation.or.th\/?p=12959"},"modified":"2025-12-18T13:28:04","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T06:28:04","slug":"whatishivthailand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lovefoundation.or.th\/en\/whatishivthailand\/","title":{"rendered":"What is HIV?"},"content":{"rendered":"

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus.<\/h2>\n

The human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus (\u201clenti\u201d means \u201cslow\u201d in Latin; a type of virus that causes chronic and deadly diseases in humans and mammals that is characterized with long incubation periods) that attacks the cells of the immune system, which weakens the body\u2019s defense against infections and diseases.<\/p>\n

\u200bIf it is overlooked and left untreated, HIV infection will reach its final stage, known as\u00a0 <\/span>AIDS or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. During this period, lethal infections and deadly diseases including cancer commonly arise.<\/p>\n

How does HIV spread?<\/h2>\n

\u200bA sexually transmitted infection, human immunodeficiency virus is spread mainly by unprotected (i.e. condomless) sex including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. An infected partner may contaminate their partners when their blood, semen, or vaginal secretions enter their body.<\/p>\n

\u200bSharing needles and syringes when using drugs with people who are living with human immunodeficiency virus can also increase the risk of HIV spread<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u200bHIV can also spread from blood transfusions, although the risk nowadays is very low because hospitals screen their blood supply. Mothers who are living with human immunodeficiency virus can also pass on the virus to their babies but when they receive treatment during pregnancy, the risk is also small.<\/p>\n

What are the symptoms of HIV?<\/h2>\n

\u200bHIV catches white blood cells, which are called CD4 cells, and then gets inside these cells and multiplies itself. HIV later kills CD4 cells while its copies find other CD4 cells to repeat this process.<\/p>\n

\u200bAs a lentivirus, which is a type of retrovirus that is characterized with long incubation periods, HIV slowly destroys CD4 cells. This means that some people who are living with HIV may not have any symptoms for years as long their CD4 cells are in moderation and thus able to fight other infections and diseases normally.<\/p>\n

\u200bThere are some people who experience flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat, swollen glands, or a skin rash. While these symptoms will go away without treatment, the virus remains in their blood.<\/p>\n

\u200bPeople who are living with human immunodeficiency virus and already experience an weakened immune system are more likely to experience symptoms such as:\u200b<\/p>\n