Category: HIV & AIDS

How Long Can HIV Survive in a Needle?


How Long Can HIV Survive in a Needle?

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). HIV is transmitted in blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk.

Transmission

  • According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HIV is mainly spread by sexual contact, sharing needles and syringes with someone who has HIV, or by being exposed to HIV as a fetus or through breastfeeding.

Needles

  • The kind of needle that is most likely to transmit HIV is a syringe. Different kinds of syringes can hold different amounts of blood, and therefore can keep HIV alive for different lengths of time.

Time Frame

  • Robert Heimer, an expert on HIV viability inside syringes, reports to the University of California San Francisco’s HIV InSite website that HIV can live up to 36 days within a needle.

Prevention

  • The best way to prevent getting HIV from a needle is to use a new syringe or other type of needle any time you receive an injection. If you accidentally come into contact with a non-sterilized needle, see a health care provider immediately.

Bleaching

  • If you cannot avoid using a syringe used by someone else, you should clean the syringe with bleach for “at least two minutes to neutralize both HIV and hepatitis,” according to HIV InSite. The syringe should be rinsed again with clean water before use.

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HIV Picture & Symptoms



HIV is a virus that attacks the human immune system, causing depletion of T-cells and eventual progression to AIDS. The symptoms of HIV are similar to those of many other conditions and cannot be relied upon as diagnostic criteria in the absence of an HIV test.

Types

  • HIV symptoms can be physical or psychological in nature. Physical symptoms include fever, night sweats, diarrhea and weight loss, while mental and emotional effects include dementia and changes in mood or behavior.

Identification

  • While physical symptoms like fever and weight loss can be quantified, psychological symptoms may be more difficult to identify. Feelings of depression, fatigue and forgetfulness may signal advanced HIV infection.

Prevalence

  • According to a study by Martin F. Shapiro, M.D. and colleagues, the most commonly reported symptoms of HIV include fever, night sweats, diarrhea and nausea.

Complications

  • Left untreated, some HIV symptoms can cause dangerous complications. Frequent diarrhea and sweating can lead to dehydration, while excessive weight loss puts patients at risk for malnutrition and cardiac failure.

Prevention/Solution

  • HIV symptoms may be greatly reduced by taking prescription antiretroviral medications and adhering to a healthy lifestyle. If you experience symptoms of HIV or engage in high-risk activities, talk to your doctor about getting tested for HIV.

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What Is the Incubation Period for HIV?

The incubation period can vary from person to person, depending on how fast the body builds up antibodies to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Although symptoms of HIV may not appear for years, there are different tests that can be performed to shorten the incubation period for HIV.

 

The actual time from the contraction of the virus until symptoms appear can take years, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Therefore, regular testing is recommended to avoid unintentionally spreading the virus.

 

After contracting HIV, the body may have a “window period” where the disease will not show up on a test. This is because the body takes time to develop the antibodies that provide the positive test result.

 

According to the CDC, the antibodies will appear on a blood test within three months for 97 percent of infected people. In rare cases, the incubation period for HIV may be as long as six months.

 

A rapid detection test is available that detects the HIV virus directly, rather than the antibodies. The incubation period for HIV with an RNA test is between nine and 11 days from the time of exposure.

 

If a person is infected with the HIV virus, they are still capable of transmitting it to another person even if their test has returned negative.

 

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Recommended Video:

How to Recognize HIV Symptoms



HIV symptoms last for only a short time at initial infection if they occur at all. In this first stage of the HIV virus the symptoms could also be caused by many other conditions. In the next phase of the HIV virus a victim can be without recognizable symptoms for ten years. In the third phase patients are symptomatic before entering full-blown AIDS. Follow these steps to be aware of HIV symptoms and recognize HIV symptoms early.

  • Remain aware of possible means of HIV infection.

    Since HIV only shows symptoms that could be confused with other minor viruses, it is crucial that you recognize how the virus is spread. Needles and sexual contact are the primary, though not only means of spreading the disease. If you are sexually active with a partner who has been sexually active with others, or have sex with more than one partner you are at greater risk. Sexual precautions are of course a must. Sharing needles places you at high risk for infection. You should be especially cognizant of the symptoms of HIV if these things are true.

  • Watch for flu like symptoms.

    In the first month of HIV infection flu like symptoms such as fevers, aches, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, skin rashes, or other flu like symptoms may occur. Clearly these can be related to a common cold or flu. However, if you believe you may have a chance of being exposed get tested immediately.

  • Expect to be without symptoms.

    HIV is often asymptomatic. Even the first stage mentioned in step one is not easily recognizes and cannot be diagnosed from symptoms. The second stage of HIV is named Asymptomatic HIV since you will not likely recognize any symptoms for years. This makes the disease especially dangerous and tragic as you have a high likelihood of infecting others if you are unaware.

  • Notice signs of third stage HIV.

    Third stage HIV, or Symptomatic HIV occurs just before full blown AIDS. You will experience ongoing flu symptoms like the ones mentioned in step two. You will likely also experience significant weight loss, loss of appetite, skin infections, and difficulty breathing. AIDS itself increases these symptoms and often leads to infections a normal immune system would repel or specific types of cancers.

    • See tips below for more help on HIV symptoms.


Tips & Warnings

  • Get tested regularly for HIV if you are sexually active or participating in drug culture.
  • Do not have sexual activity with a partner you suspect is sleeping with others without protection.
  • See a physician as soon as possible if you fear you have contracted the virus. Stay in constant communication with your physician if you tested possible. The advance in drugs for HIV and AIDS is significant and may drastically improve and lengthen your life. There is hope.
  • See related articles on this page for more health and diagnosis information.

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What Does a Non-Reactive HIV Test Mean?

A non-reactive HIV test means that HIV was not found in that testing sample. This test result is commonly referred to as “negative,” although a person who tests negative for HIV may nevertheless actually be HIV positive.

Identification

  • HIV tests are used to find antibodies to the virus. Developing a detectable level of antibodies (enough antibodies to be found by a test) is a process called seroconversion.

Time Frame

  • HIVTest.org reports that seroconversion takes an average of 25 days after infection, but may take as long as three to six months.

Features

  • An HIV test will only yield a true positive if the tested individual has already seroconverted. A test taken before seroconversion occurs will be inaccurate.

Significance

  • A person who has not contracted HIV will also have a non-reactive test. However, there are a very small number of people who test false positive; this error can be discovered with another HIV test.

Considerations

  • People seeking HIV testing should speak with a health-care professional to determine if a test at that time will yield an accurate result, based on the date of the last possible exposure to the virus.

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HIV Symptoms: Headache & a Stiff Neck



Human Immunodeficiency Virus, also known as HIV, is the precursor of one of the deadly diseases known to man: AIDS. Once infected, HIV attacks the T4 cells in the immune system. The T4 cells are what your body uses to fight off illnesses. Once your T4 cells fall below a certain amount, your immune system becomes susceptible to AIDS, sometimes referred to as an opportunistic infection. Knowing the symptoms of HIV will help you fight this disease.

Early Symptoms of HIV

  • According to the Mayo Clinic, a not-for-profit that dedicated to the diagnosis of virtually every type of complex disease, the early symptoms of HIV will vary depending on the phase of your infection. Early symptoms of HIV may be flu-like within the first four weeks after you are infected. These include fever, rash, headache, muscle ache, sore throat and swollen lymph glands, where the HIV infection lies. Even without any symptoms, you are still able to infect others if you yourself are infected.

Headache and Stiff Neck

  • Are a headache and stiff neck symptoms of HIV? The answer is yes and no. One of the signs of later stage HIV infection includes persistent headaches. However, don’t confuse a susceptibility to headaches or migraines with this symptom of HIV. Other symptoms must be present as well. In addition, a stiff neck is not a sign of HIV symptoms. Simply working out too hard or sleeping too long can cause a stiff neck. However, muscle aches are one of the signs of HIV infection. Again, look for multiple HIV symptoms or see your doctor if you are worried.

Late Stage Symptoms

  • While it could take years for HIV symptoms to appear, the virus will still be spreading itself throughout your body and your immune system will be weakening after years of fighting. HIV can be suspected if your symptoms cannot be diagnosed as the flu or something else. Late stage symptoms include fever, fatigue, diarrhea, change in nail color, thrush (or a yeast infection of the mouth) and multiple outbreaks of colds sores or genital herpes.

Symptoms for Women And Children

  • Symptoms for women and children differ slightly than those for men. Women are more at risk of breast enlargement and headaches. Fatigue, abdominal pain and pelvic problems are also more common in women. Women will more likely suffer from anxiety and depression more than men will.

    Children with HIV often display delayed growth, an enlarged spleen, repeated cases of thrush and recurring bacterial infections.

Warning

  • If you think you may have some of these HIV symptoms or are unsure if you are infected, see your doctor right away.

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What Is the Blood Test for AIDS?

Blood tests are commonly used to detect the presence of antibodies in HIV. Testing directly for the presence of viral RNA is also used to screen blood, but this is more commonly used to monitor donated blood or to diagnose children of HIV-positive mothers.

Identification

  • The most common blood test for HIV is called an enzyme immunoassay (EIA or ELISA). The sample used is blood taken from a vein, according to hivtest.org.

Features

  • Enzyme immunoassays rely on the presence of antibodies to the virus. According to hivtest.org, it takes an average of 25 days to develop a level of antibodies that can be detected by tests (a process called seroconversion), but it may take up to six months.

Considerations

  • People should not be tested for HIV less than one month after possibly contracting the virus because the test is very likely to return a false negative. Because it may take up to six months to seroconvert, people who test negative before this time may need to be tested again.

Types

  • Most HIV blood tests take a number of days or more to return results. However, hivtest.org reports that quick tests can return equally accurate results in about half an hour.

Home Test

  • There is one blood test that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for HIV testing in the home—the Home Access HIV-1 Test System. Other tests have not been approved and should not be used.

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What do AIDS Lesions Look Like?

There are many different conditions that can lead to lesions in people with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Some lesion types are fairly common, such as herpes or Kaposi’s sarcoma; while others, like molluscum contagiosum, are far less common.

Herpes

  • AIDS sufferers are at increased risk for herpes virus lesions, which cause cold sores, genital outbreaks, chickenpox and shingles. All of these lesion types are characterized by a red rash, accompanied by fluid-filled blisters that tend to burst and crust.

Molluscum Contagiosum

  • Molluscum contagiosum, a viral infection, can lead to lesions in AIDS patients. It causes various-sized, waxy, skin bumps. These lesions are filled with a thick, white substance and a rash may form around them.

Recurrent Itching

  • People with AIDS may experience recurring, itchy lesions, sometimes referred to as “itchy red bump disease.” This kind of outbreak of small, red bumps may last several hours at a time.

Kaposi’s Sarcoma

  • Kaposi’s sarcoma is a skin cancer that causes purplish lesions of various sizes on the skin, as well as on other organs. These lesions either lay flat on the skin or be raised and are a sign of advanced stages of the disease.

Treatment

  • Herpes lesions can be treated with antiviral drugs. Molluscum contagiosum and itchy red bump disease are treated with topical agents. Kaposi’s sarcoma is targeted with various cancer treatments and also responds slightly to treatment with antiretroviral drugs used to manage the HIV/AIDS disease overall.

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Signs & Symptoms of HIV in Babies

Infants can contract HIV from an HIV-positive mother during pregnancy, at birth or through breastfeeding. HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, manifests differently in babies than in adults, generally developing more quickly and affecting growth and development as well as overall health.

Identification

  • Tests to check for the presence of HIV’s RNA (polymerase chain reaction test) are normally run on the children of HIV-positive women. This is because a newborn will have his mother’s antibodies to the virus, making standard antibody tests useless.

Features

  • About one out of five HIV-positive children develop become seriously ill during the first year of life and die mostly before the age of four. In other children, HIV progresses more slowly and they may not develop symptoms for years, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Features

  • Infants and toddlers with HIV are slow to grow physically and mentally. They may have trouble gaining weight and height and are behind other children in skills like crawling, walking and speaking, the NIAID says.

Effects

  • Children with HIV may develop HIV encephalopathy, a brain disease. Effects include seizures, trouble walking and performing poorly in school.

Types

  • Babies with HIV also experience opportunistic infections. The most commonly fatal of these is a fungal pneumonia, pneumocystis (formerly known as PCP). HIV-positive children also develop thrush, an oral fungus, and chronic diarrhea, and become more sick than other children as the result of infection with childhood illnesses.

Treatment

  • HIV-positive babies face repeated hospitalizations for infections. Children, like adults, can be treated with antiretroviral drugs to manage HIV.

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HIV Symptoms on the Tongue

HIV infection can lead to a number of oral symptoms, including those that affect your tongue. However, these symptoms occur only in later stages of HIV, and the only way to know your status before specific symptoms of HIV occur is through HIV testing.

Fungal Infections

  • Pseudomembranous candidiasis (thrush) and erythematous candidiasis are two fungal infections that can affect an HIV-positive person’s tongue. Thrush appears as white plaques that you can remove, while erythematous candidiasis is a series of flat and red patches that can appear on your tongue.

Herpes

  • For someone with HIV, oral herpes occurs only rarely inside the mouth, and even more rarely on the tongue. However, blisters may sometimes develop on the top side of the tongue.

Oral Hairy Leukoplakia

  • An HIV-positive individual may develop oral hairy leukoplakia–immobile, ridged white growths that may appear to be hairy. Their cause is opportunistic infection with Epstein-Barr virus.

Kaposi’s Sarcoma

  • Kaposi’s sarcoma, an AIDS-defining condition, is a skin cancer causing purple (or other dark) lesions. Opportunistic infection with the virus HHV-8 causes Kaposi’s sarcoma. It can sometimes appear on the tongue.

Treatment

  • Some symptoms of HIV on the tongue respond well to the general treatment for HIV, antiretroviral drugs. However, you need to target some symptoms more specifically–as with antiviral, antifungal or cancer treatments–so you should seek a physician’s advice to obtain proper treatment.

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First Sign of HIV

There is no specific first sign of HIV, but there are several symptoms that may indicate HIV infection at two different stages. It is important to remember, however, that the only way to truly know one’s HIV status is by being tested.

Acute HIV Infection

  • Flu-like symptoms may occur two to four weeks after an individual contracts HIV. Symptoms of this illness include fever, fatigue, sore throat, headache and muscle aches, skin rash, and digestive troubles like nausea and diarrhea. These symptoms clear up on their own within a month.

Transmission

  • When considering a diagnosis of HIV, it is necessary to establish that a possible exposure has occurred. Adults contract HIV through unprotected vaginal, anal and oral sex with an infected person and by sharing hypodermic needles or crack pipes with an infected person.

Considerations

  • The symptoms of acute HIV infection are not specific to HIV, meaning that other conditions cause these symptoms, and they alone are not enough to diagnose HIV. Similarly, an absence of these symptoms is not enough to rule out HIV, as not everyone develops symptoms of acute HIV infection.

Symptomatic HIV

  • Some people may not experience signs of HIV until third-stage HIV-disease, which follows the long asymptomatic stage (lasting an average of 10 years). Symptoms of this stage include a chronic flu-like illness along with night sweats, weight loss, fungal infections, as well as skin and breathing problems.

Testing

  • Because the symptoms of acute HIV are mild and this stage is followed by a long period without symptoms, it is necessary to be tested to determine one’s true HIV status. The Harm Reduction Coalition helps locate testing centers; see the “Resources” section.

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Final Stages of Full-Blown AIDS



Introduction

  • According to the Center of Disease Control, the United States experiences as many as 37,041 news cases of AIDS each year. Those numbers join the estimated 1,051,875 AIDS cases in the United States (as of 2007). According to the International AIDS charity AVERT, there are an estimated 33 million people living throughout the world with HIV/AIDS. Of those, as many as 2 million will die each year from the disease after it has progressed to full blown AIDS.

Transition

  • Full-blown AIDS does not occur until the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has run its full course. After primary infection of HIV, the body’s immune system becomes under attack by the virus as it disables the body’s ability to protect itself from disease. The length of this stage of infection varies depending on the individual and the form of treatment being given. HIV is not considered AIDS until certain Center for Disease Control criteria are met. To be diagnosed with full blown AIDS, the patient must either have a low enough lymphocyte count, or must be afflicted with a common AIDS related opportunistic infection.

Lymphocytes

  • According to the Center for Disease Control, the final stage of full-blown AIDS is marked by a dramatic drop in lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are important immune system cells that help fight off disease. The HIV/AIDS virus uses these cells to replicate and increase in number, destroying the lymphocyte’s abilities to protect the body in the process. To reach full-blow AIDS status, the lymphocyte cell count must be less than 200. A normal lymphocyte cell count ranges from 800 to 1,200.

Opportunistic Infections

  • The second criteria for moving into the final stages of full-blown AIDS is the presence of an opportunistic infection. Opportunistic infections are diseases that are often fought by the body when healthy, but take advantage of the body once the immune system becomes compromised. Common opportunistic infections include generalized lymphadenopathy, pneumocystis pneumonia, herpes zoster, lymphoma, or tuberculosis. Since the immune system is compromised during this disorder, many of those that die from AIDS, will die from an opportunistic infection and not the disease itself.

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