The HIV virus can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) and affects the specific CD4 cells, or T cells, in the immune system. When HIV attacks enough T cells, the body can no longer fight off disease and infection, leading to AIDS.
Although there is no cure for HIV, there is treatment available to help slow the progression of the virus from one stage to the next. HIV is transmittable at any stage. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) helps prolong the lives of those affected with HIV.
- Acute infection: Within one month of contracting HIV, you may develop flu-like symptoms, which is called acute retroviral syndrome (ARS) or primary HIV infection. This is the body’s natural response to the virus, and some may not even develop these symptoms. Since large amounts of HIV are being produced in the body during this stage, it is extremely easy to pass the virus to others.
- Clinical latency (inactivity): During this phase of the virus, there may be no symptoms since the infection reproduction levels are so low. Those who are on ART can remain in this stage for decades, but those who are not can experience clinical latency for up to one decade, progressing to the next stage faster. During the middle to end of this period, your CD4 cell count begins to drop, weakening your immune system and making you more susceptible to infections.
- AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome): This stage of infection occurs when you become more susceptible to infections and infection-related cancers or “opportunistic illnesses.” Without treatment, those diagnosed with AIDS usually survive about 3 years. If they have AIDS and an opportunistic illness, life expectancy drops to 1 year. Treatment of AIDS is necessary to prevent death.
For information on where to find an HIV testing site,
- Visit National HIV and STD Testing Resources and enter your ZIP code.
- Text your ZIP code to KNOWIT (566948), and you will receive a text back with a testing site near you.
- Call 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) to ask for free testing sites in your area.
Virusi vya Ukimwi vinaweza kusababisha ugonjwa wa Ukimwi (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) na huathiri chembe za CD4 au chembe za T katika mfumo wa kinga. Wakati virusi vya Ukimwi vinaposhambulia chembe za T za kutosha, mwili hauwezi tena kupambana na magonjwa na maambukizi, na kusababisha UKIMWI. Ingawa hakuna tiba ya virusi vya Ukimwi, kuna matibabu yanayopatikana ambayo husaidia kupunguza mwendo wa virusi kutoka hatua moja hadi nyingine. Virusi vya Ukimwi vinaweza kuambukizwa katika hatua yoyote. Matibabu ya kupambana na virusi vya ukimwi (ART) husaidia kurefusha maisha ya wale walio na virusi vya Ukimwi. Katika kipindi cha mwezi mmoja baada ya kuambukizwa virusi vya Ukimwi, unaweza kuwa na dalili za mafua, ambazo huitwa ugonjwa wa retroviral (ARS) au maambukizi ya kwanza ya virusi vya Ukimwi. Hii ni majibu ya asili ya mwili kwa virusi, na baadhi ya watu wanaweza hata kutokuwa na dalili hizi. Kwa kuwa kiasi kikubwa cha virusi vya Ukimwi hutokezwa katika mwili wakati wa hatua hii, ni rahisi sana kupitisha virusi hivyo kwa wengine. - Clinical latency (inactivity): Wakati wa awamu hii ya virusi, kunaweza kuwa hakuna dalili tangu viwango vya uzalishaji wa maambukizo ni chini sana. Wale ambao ni juu ya ART wanaweza kubaki katika hatua hii kwa miongo, lakini wale ambao si wanaweza uzoefu kliniki latency kwa hadi muongo mmoja, maendeleo kwa hatua ya pili kwa kasi zaidi. Wakati wa kipindi hiki, idadi ya seli za CD4 huanza kupungua, na kuharibu mfumo wako wa kinga na kukufanya uwe na uwezekano mkubwa wa kuambukizwa. "Ugonjwa wa Ukimwi (AIDS) ni ugonjwa wa ""kupata upungufu wa kinga"" ambao unatokana na ugonjwa wa ukimwi ambao unahusisha ugonjwa wa kansa na ugonjwa wa upungufu wa kinga, ambao kwa kawaida huishi kwa miaka mitatu bila matibabu." Ikiwa una ugonjwa wa ukimwi na ugonjwa wa fursa, matarajio ya maisha hupungua hadi mwaka mmoja. Matibabu ya Ukimwi ni muhimu ili kuzuia kifo. Kwa habari juu ya wapi kupata tovuti ya kupima HIV, - Tembelea Rasilimali za Kitaifa za Kupima HIV na STD na ingiza nambari yako ya posta. - Nakala ya barua pepe ya KNOWIT (566948) na utapokea ujumbe wa maandishi nyuma na tovuti ya majaribio karibu na wewe. Piga simu 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) ili kuuliza kwa maeneo ya kupima bure katika eneo lako.