Are you a HIV patient looking for HIV Support?
HIV is a retrovirus that primarily infects vital components of the human immune system such as CD4+ T cells, macrophages and dendritic cells. It also directly and indirectly destroys CD4+ T cells. As CD4+ T cells are required for the proper functioning of the immune system, when enough CD4+ T cells have been destroyed by HIV, the immune system functions poorly, leading to the syndrome known as AIDS. HIV also directly attacks organs, such as the kidneys, the heart and the brain leading to acute renal failure, cardiomyopathy, dementia and encephalopathy. Many of the problems faced by people infected with HIV result from failure of the immune system to protect from opportunistic infections and cancers. It is very important that if you have HIV that you get HIV support from others. HIV support can come from many sources, mainly family and physicians.
HIV is transmitted through direct contact of a mucous membrane with a bodily fluid containing HIV, such as blood, semen, vaginal fluid, preseminal fluid or breast milk. This transmission can come in the form of: penetrative (anal or vaginal) sex; oral sex; blood transfusion; contaminated needles; exchange between mother and infant during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding; or other exposure to one of the above bodily fluids.
HIV is a terrible infection and requires great HIV support to be managed. Other HIV patients can provide that HIV support to you in a meaningful way. The HIV infection is a chronic disease that cannot be yet cured. There are effecitve means of providing HIV support to family members. Generally people with HIV get their HIV support from family members and friends. Not all persons infected with HIV have progressed to AIDS, but it is believed that they generally will. People living with HIV need support and education about the HIV disease and get HIV support and treatment so they can be partners in making decisions.
Cited references:
MayoClinic on HIV
Google Health on HIV
Wikipedia HIV