Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. If left untreated, it can lead to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). HIV weakens the body’s ability to fight infections and is most commonly transmitted through unprotected sex, contaminated needles, or from mother to child during childbirth or breastfeeding.
After infection, HIV may cause short-lived flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat, and fatigue within a few weeks. The virus then enters a latent phase, often lasting years, where it continues to damage the immune system silently.
As HIV progresses to AIDS, symptoms may include:
Although there is currently no cure for HIV/AIDS, modern treatment can help individuals live long, healthy lives. The mainstay of HIV management includes:
