HIV

There’s no cure for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), but today’s advanced medications can make the virus undetectable, preventing infections and stopping HIV from spreading. At HealthyClinic.me in Springfield, Massachusetts, the skilled team specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating HIV by providing integrative care that combines antiretroviral therapy with healthy lifestyle recommendations. Call the office or book online today to get early treatment that can prevent acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

What is HIV?

The human immunodeficiency virus is transmitted through bodily fluids, specifically semen, vaginal fluids, and blood (but not saliva). HIV is primarily transmitted through sexual contact and injecting drugs using a shared needle.

However, pregnant women with HIV can pass the virus to their baby. Health care professionals can get HIV through accidental needle pricks.

When is HIV dangerous?

There’s no cure for HIV, and without treatment, the virus attacks and destroys immune system cells that fight bacteria, viruses, and other disease-causing organisms.  

The longer HIV goes untreated, the more damage it does to your immune system, making you vulnerable to serious diseases and infections.

When HIV reaches an advanced stage, it causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). With treatment, some people with AIDS stay healthy for years. For others, AIDS is life-threatening.

What symptoms does HIV cause?

HIV progresses through three stages:

Stage 1: Acute HIV

You may develop flu-like symptoms 2-4 weeks after you get the virus. These symptoms may include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Joint pain
• Sore throat
• Mouth sores
• Skin rash
• Swollen lymph glands

Even if you have mild symptoms, you still carry a large number of viral particles (a high viral load). 

Stage 2: Chronic HIV

You won’t have any symptoms during stage 2, but the virus is still active, multiplying and destroying essential immune cells. AIDS develops within 8-10 years if you don’t get treatment. 

Stage 3: AIDS

You’re diagnosed with AIDS when your immune cell count drops below a specific level or when you have recurrent opportunistic infections.

You can develop many possible infections and a wide range of symptoms throughout your body. HIV can also lead to diseases like cancer and hepatitis.

How is HIV treated?

HIV treatment, called antiretroviral therapy (ART) or highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), combines several medications. HAART is highly effective in slowing the spread of HIV and protecting your immune system.

For many people, HAART lowers their viral load so dramatically that the virus becomes undetectable. HIV can’t spread to your partner when it’s undetectable.

The HealthyClinic.me team specializes in integrative care that supports your overall health. For example, they make dietary recommendations to ensure you get the nutrients needed to support your immune system. They can also help you prevent HIV with pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

Call HealthyClinic.me today or connect online to request an appointment for HIV testing and treatment.