HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus),AIDS

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that is transmitted through blood and unprotected sexual contact and can settle in various tissues of the body, but has its main effects on the immune system. HIV mainly suppresses the immune system by destroying white blood cells called CD4 + T lymphocyte (CD4 cell for short) and leaves the body vulnerable to infections. As a result, diseases such as tuberculosis, diarrhea, meningitis, pneumonia that can be treated under normal conditions cause serious harm to the body, and in some cases, cancers can be seen. Drugs developed for HIV today prevent the virus from multiplying in the body and suppress the immunity, ensuring that HIV-positive people lead a long and healthy life. For this, it is important to start treatment early and continue regularly under the supervision of a doctor.



 What is AIDS? AIDS is an acronym for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS caused by the HIV virus is the stage when the immune system is vulnerable to infections and cancers and is life threatening. Contrary to what is commonly known, AIDS does not occur in every person who is HIV positive. Thanks to Antiretroviral drugs developed against HIV virus, the immune system can fight infections without serious damage, that is, body resistance does not decrease. In addition to drug treatment after HIV transmission, AIDS may not occur depending on the person's living conditions and body resistance, and there is a possibility that it may occur after 5-15 years or more. Prevalence of HIV in the world and  contagious infection with HIV is common nowadays all over the world. According to the data of the World Health Organization, 37 million people in the world carry HIV virus. 60 percent of HIV-positive people receive antiretroviral therapy. In our country, with the increasing awareness and testing opportunities about HIV, the number of people diagnosed increases. However, , it is considered among the countries AIDS is not common. According to the research conducted by the Ministry of Health between 1985 and 2018, The number of people living with HIV  18, 1736 AIDS cases and 557 persons are available. The age group with the highest number of cases is 30-34 and 25-29 years. Considering the distribution according to the way of transmission, 49% of the cases are reported to be sexually transmitted and 71% of these cases reported to be sexually transmitted are heterosexual.