Archive for the ‘HIV & AIDS’ Category

 
Posted in HIV & AIDS on January-5-2008

HIV testThe hiv test kit can now be purchased on the internet or by phone. The hiv kits complete with a lancet to prick the finger then one must swipe the blood on a testing card. When the blood test is complete, send the package to a specifically designated laboratory for analysis. Usually, the result will be known in a week. The result will be known via phone or if the one request the paper documentation it would be sent via email, fax or mail.

Some home kits are available in certain retail stores. The results are instantly can be known, it just can take only 5-10 minutes. There is no laboratory or counseling servises. However, because they are not FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved, they none can be legally marketed in the US as an HIV test.

The hiv test kits that are approved by the FDA, they who have been proven to have a statistically significant factor of reliability, nor can they be tracked for accuracy of results. Independent laboratories may have checked for accuracy and validity of these non-FDA approved tests, but the FDA has stringent and rigorous testing protocols that individual laboratories may not follow. The hiv test kits FDA approve cost between $40 and $70.

some of the tests, when used improperly can give false results. This is due to lack of training on how to take the test properly or correctly interpret the results. No matter, the false result could cause tremendous suffering to the individual being tested and possibly further spread of HIV if the person believes he is not infected when he truly is.




 
Posted in HIV & AIDS on November-26-2007

HIV Symptoms In early stage, People who are infected with HIV will not suffer from the HIV symptoms. They will suffer from the HIV symptoms couple months later. The HIV symptoms may appear fever, headache, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes especially in the neck and groin. The symptoms look like an ordinary flu.

When the HIV symptoms disappear, it means that the stage is rising. The virus is easily transmitted by genital contacts. This period of “asymptomatic” infection depends on the person. Really severe symptoms sometime occur only a decade later. Children born from HIV mothers may show symptoms earlier. Some people develop the symptoms within a few months.

The HIV virus spreads during the asymptomatic period and the virus kills immune cells. The loss and deactivation of the immune system eventually leads to complications. The first signs of infection are enlarged lymph nodes (lay people name them glands). This is sign of majority of infections and other inflammatory conditions. Other HIV symptoms are also not
specific to HIV only. Low energy, weight loss, fevers and night sweats are also common for tuberculosis, rheumatic diseases and many others. Later the loss of immunity leads to yeast infections (inside mouth or vagina), skin rashes, inflammatory conditions, which do not respond to regular treatment.

Thereafter, different weird bugs that are easily destroyed by a normal immune system, take control over in the HIV infected persons. They cause unusual infections and tumors. Herpes infections of mouth and genitalia become frequent guests. Shingles happen too often.