I like watching the different Explained series on Netflix. Currently, I have been watching the series dealing with history, and I was quite sad to discover that the episode about HIV was the final episode of the series. I guess I will have to return and continue with some other explained series right now, or maybe get started watching the ninth season of The Blacklist on Netflix.
But, let us return to the episode about HIV. I don't hide the fact that I lack knowledge in many areas, and thus, I started to ask myself after one minute of the episode... what is the difference between AIDS and HIV? Is it the same thing?
The answer isn't hard to understand, but if you don't know it, then you don't know it. So, I will not write very complicated here, but I will help you just see the difference between the two.
HIV is where it all starts...
HIV is an abbreviation for "human immunodeficiency virus." It is known as a sexually transmittable disease, but it can also spread by contact with infected blood or from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth or breast-feeding.
The virus then gradually destroys your immune system, and this is a process that can take many, many years. And if it is detected in time, it can also be slowed then, meaning that it will remain like that, without causing much further trouble.
Some of the HIV symptoms...
Here you can see some of the most well-known HIV symptoms:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches and joint pain
- Rash
- Sore throat and painful mouth sores
- Swollen lymph glands, mainly on the neck
- Diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Cough
- Night sweats
(source]
But, it can take a long time before the symptoms turn visible. However, when your immune system has turned really weak, it can easily turn into AIDS which is an abbreviation for "Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome."
There are still no medicine to heal HIV or AIDS, but there are drugs that will help you live together with HIV. If you reach the AIDS stadium, you will way easier get different cancers and other illnesses as well, meaning that your life might be in grave danger.
I learned something new today as well...
So, I learned something new today as well. I hope you have done so as well. If you have further insight, questions, or some thoughts, please write them in the comment field below!