HIV/AIDS: What You Need to Know
HIV attacks your body's defence system by killing white blood cells, which are your immune system's main soldiers. When your immune system becomes too weak, you develop AIDS, making it nearly impossible to fight off other infections and diseases.
The virus spreads through specific body fluids - blood, breast milk, and sexual fluids. You can catch it through unprotected sex, sharing contaminated needles for drugs, or from an infected mother to her baby through breastfeeding. It's crucial to understand that HIV doesn't spread through casual contact like hugging, sharing food, or using the same toilet.
Early symptoms include fever, chills, muscle pain, sore throats, and unusual tiredness. You might also notice swollen lymph nodes, mouth ulcers, night sweats, and skin rashes. However, some people show no symptoms for years, which is why testing is so important.
Prevention is straightforward and effective. Using protection during sex, never sharing needles, and getting tested regularly are your best defences. The most affected regions globally are Southern African countries like Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Botswana, where HIV/AIDS causes the highest number of deaths.
Remember: HIV is completely preventable with the right knowledge and precautions - you have the power to protect yourself and others.