World AIDS Day: How many years does it take for the HIV virus to become AIDS, why symptoms are not detected in the beginning

AIDS is a deadly disease. There is no cure for it till date. AIDS disease is caused by HIV virus. If this virus remains in the body for years and is not controlled then AIDS occurs. Generally people consider HIV and AIDS to be the same. But there is a big difference between the two. AIDS is the last stage of HIV virus. It is not necessary that a person who has HIV also gets AIDS. Let us know from experts how much time it takes for HIV to progress to AIDS and what are its symptoms.

Dr. LH Ghotekar, HOD, Department of Medicine, Lady Hardinge Medical College and Associate Hospital show that hiv On an average, it takes 9 to 10 years to develop AIDS, although this time can be more or less than this. It depends on the immunity of the HIV positive person, what kind of diet he takes and when his ART treatment has started. If the lifestyle and eating habits are good then it may take 10 to 12 years, but if the person drinks alcohol, eating habits or lifestyle is not good then HIV turns into AIDS even in a short time.

Dr. Ghotekar says that if antiretroviral therapy for HIV is started soon, then HIV can be stopped from progressing to AIDS. It also happens that if a person takes proper treatment throughout his life, he may not get AIDS from HIV. Therefore, even though there is no cure for AIDS, HIV can be prevented from developing into AIDS.

Why are the symptoms of HIV not detected in the beginning?

Dr. Ghotekar explains that HIV gradually damages the cells inside the body for many years, but no major symptoms are visible. Symptoms appear when this virus starts reducing CD4 cells and their count goes below 400. Then the person sees symptoms like weight loss, mouth ulcers, weakness, persistent fever. Even in such a situation, if HIV is not treated and the CD4 count becomes very low i.e. goes below 100, then the body is not able to fight even mild disease and this disease becomes the cause of death.

Can HIV be eliminated?

Dr Ajit Jain, Associate Professor at Rajiv Gandhi Hospital, Delhi It is said that HIV can never be eradicated. However, the viral load of this virus reduces and it cannot be detected. This happens when ART treatment is started within a few months of HIV infection and the person continues to take medicines regularly as per the advice of the doctor and leads a good diet and lifestyle.