AIDS
Is a red spot on the arm AIDS?
Red spots on the arm are not necessarily an indication of AIDS; they could be a rash, folliculitis, or other skin diseases. The symptoms of AIDS are not very typical and lack distinct features. It is not possible to diagnose AIDS based on external signs and clinical symptoms alone. To confirm or rule out AIDS, it is necessary to conduct an HIV antibody screening, and a negative result can exclude the infection.
Is AIDS a sexually transmitted disease?
AIDS is caused by the infection of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, also known as HIV, which leads to significant immune deficiency characterized by the disease. The main route of transmission is through sexual contact. It spreads quickly and has a relatively high mortality rate. Currently, there is no effective cure, making it one of the major lethal infectious sexually transmitted diseases in humans.
Will touching AIDS-infected blood lead to transmission?
If the skin is intact, generally, contact with the blood of an HIV-infected person will not transmit the virus. However, if the skin is damaged and comes into contact with the blood of an HIV-infected person, there is a possibility of transmission. Additionally, the mucous membranes of the body, such as in the eyes, inside the mouth, and various cavities, can potentially get infected with HIV if they come into contact with HIV-infected blood. If these mucous membranes are damaged, the risk of HIV infection significantly increases.
Where to get tested for AIDS?
If you suspect that you have contracted HIV, you should immediately go to a regular medical institution or a nationally designated hospital to undergo an initial HIV antibody screening test. If the initial screening test result is positive, you will need to further go to a disease control center or a nationally designated hospital for HIV testing to undergo further confirmatory tests. If the confirmatory test is also positive, then you can generally be diagnosed with HIV infection.
What medicine to take for AIDS?
After contracting AIDS, the medication we generally take primarily targets HIV, but this medication does not kill the HIV virus. It only prevents the replication or reproduction of HIV in our bodies. In addition, we might take some immune-modulating drugs, as well as other medications for symptomatic treatment, anti-cancer drugs, and also some traditional Chinese medicines, among others.
What department should I go to for AIDS testing?
AIDS is a severe immunodeficiency disease characterized by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus. Its main modes of transmission are sexual activity, blood, and mother-to-child transmission, with sexual transmission accounting for over 95%. Therefore, when we go to the hospital for AIDS testing, we generally need to visit the dermatology department or the department of venereology.
What is the confirmed rate of suspected AIDS?
If you have engaged in high-risk behaviors or are experiencing symptoms similar to those of AIDS, you should not speculate about whether you have contracted HIV. The only approach is to go to the hospital for testing. Generally, after the window period has passed, you should go to the hospital for a screening test. If the screening test is positive, further tests should be conducted at the disease control center to confirm the diagnosis. Only through this process can it be determined whether you have AIDS or not.
Can AIDS cause coughing?
Once AIDS patients enter the AIDS phase, due to the sharp decline in the body's immune function, their respiratory system will be compromised. Various bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites can all infect the lungs, leading to various types of pneumonia, which then results in symptoms of coughing. Therefore, AIDS patients do cough.
Is AIDS fatal?
Most AIDS patients will die from AIDS, but due to differences in our living conditions, living environment, mental state, treatment plans, and treatment conditions, there are a few people who may just be carriers of AIDS for life without progressing to the AIDS stage. Such people might die from their normal life expectancy rather than from AIDS, which is possible.
Can people with AIDS get pregnant?
People with AIDS can become pregnant, as so far, no country's laws prohibit pregnancy in people with AIDS. However, there is a 25-30% chance of transmitting HIV to the baby if a person with AIDS becomes pregnant. Even with comprehensive intervention from medical staff, it is not 100% guaranteed that the baby will be healthy; there is still at least a 2% risk of the baby being infected. Therefore, we usually recommend that the patient terminate the pregnancy.