We often hear and read terms like HIV and AIDS. Both words are related to each other but not the same. HIV is a virus that infects a person and, when left untreated, leads to a disorder called AIDS.

Our body has specialized cells to combat microorganisms attacking our body. The system of these cells is called the Immune system. HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the immune system of our body and makes our body vulnerable to getting any and every kind of infection.

The defective immune system, which cannot prevent the body from such organisms, leads to developing a chronic disorder called AIDS (Acquired immunodeficiency Disorders).

Who is at risk of contracting HIV?

Those people are most vulnerable to contracting this life-threatening virus who:

• Are you in contact with a partner having HIV
• Belong to an area with high HIV rates
• Use contaminated injections
• Multiple sexual partners
• Have been raped
• A history of sexually transmitted infections, hepatitis B or hepatitis C
• Have unprotected sex with those exposed to HIV
• Men who have unprotected anal sex with other men
• Women who have unprotected sex with men have a history of anal sex with men
• Share sex toys with someone exposed to HIV
• Babies born from parents having a history of untreated HIV

HIV symptoms:

80% of people who are infected with HIV show flu-like symptoms which are:

• Fever
• Sore throat
• Body rash
• Lethargy
• Body pain

These symptoms can go away within a week or two or may last longer.

The flu-like symptoms indicate that a foreign organism has infected the body, and the body’s immune system is fighting the virus.

But these symptoms are not necessarily indicative of HIV. The only way to be sure is to get an HIV test.

Once the above-stated symptoms go away, a person may remain asymptomatic for many years. During this period, the virus grows inside the body, damaging immune cells. When the immune system is severely damaged, the patient starts showing the following symptoms:

• Weight loss
• Recurrent infections
• Night sweats
• Prolonged swelling of lymph glands
• Unexplained tiredness
• Skin problems ( Reddish or brownish blotches on or under the skin).
• Sores in the mucous membrane of the mouth, anus, or genitals
• Chronic diarrhea, lasting more than a week.
• Neurological disorders (memory loss and depression)

HIV prevention:

To prevent infection by HIV, we must first understand how the virus is transmitted from person to person. Unlike cold and flu, the virus is not transmitted through the air. The virus lives in the blood and body fluids, and one of the following fluids must enter another person’s blood for transmission.

The fluids are:

• Blood
• Semen
• Lining inside the anus
• Vaginal discharge
• Menstrual blood
• Breast milk

How to prevent it?

No vaccine for HIV/AIDS can protect a person from contracting it. Nor is any cure available for this life-threatening condition to save life after acquiring it.

But there are preventive measures you must take to protect yourself and others from this infection. 

Take protection during sex:

Every time you have anal or vaginal sex, use a new condom. Women can use a female condom. Make sure the lubricant you use is water-based if you do. Condoms can become brittle and break when exposed to oil-based lubricants. Use a dental dam, a piece of medical-grade latex, or a nonlubricated, cut-open condom during oral sex.

It’s important to tell all of your sexual partners, both current and past, that you have HIV. They’ll have to be examined.

Take precautions when using injections:

If you inject illicit drugs, ensure the needle is sanitary and don’t share it. Use the needle-exchange services in your community. Consider getting rehabilitation therapy for drug abuse.

Protect mother-to-child transmission:

If you have HIV, you are at the risk of infecting your unborn child. However, taking treatment while pregnant can significantly lower the risk of transmitting the infection to the child.

PEP:

PEP stands for post-exposure prophylaxis. When a person is in doubt about being exposed to HIV, preventive medicines are taken to slow down and halt the disease’s development. You should take PEP medications in an emergency only. If you are concerned about being exposed to HIV infected person, take PEP within 72 hours, or it will not be effective.

PrEP:

PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. The term prophylaxis means to prevent or control the spread of an infection or disease. 

It is a highly effective medication taken before being exposed to risk factors. When you take PrEP before exposure, the chances of getting HIV from sex or drug abuse significantly decrease.

PrEP can be given in two forms: pills or shots

The pills are:

Truvada: For those at risk through sex or drug injection.

Descovy:  For those individuals at risk through sex. You must test negative for HIV before taking medication and while taking it.

Apretude: The only shot approved for use as PrEP is Apretude. The shot is for those who weigh at least 77 pounds (35 kg) and are sexually vulnerable. 

It is necessary to have a blood test before taking PrEP. Taking PrEP while unaware that you are HIV positive can result in drug-resistant HIV infection. 

For how long a person has to take PrEP?

On-demand PrEP involves taking two pills between 2 and 24 hours before possible sexual exposure to HIV, followed by one pill daily until two days after the last possible sexual exposure.

Side effects of PrEP:

PrEP is usually safe, but as with all drugs, it has some side effects. These include:

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Abdominal pain

Before taking PrEP medication, an examination of the person must be done to check his kidney functions, and a routine check-up must also be carried out once every three months while on medication.

Where to buy PrEP online in Malaysia?

You can purchase via Careplus Store – an online PrEP service provided by Careplus Clinic. They provide PrEP delivery services to all countries in the world.

You can buy PrEP online by visiting their website and showing them the prescription of your recommended dose. Once it is verified, It will be delivered to your doorstep.

You can also get the instant 10% discount code for PreP here