The first documented cases of HIV infection were reported in the early1980s in New York and California but retrospective studies have indicated that the virus may have been around since as early as 1920s or 1930s.
HIV is very similar to a viral strain SIV affecting certain species of monkeys and apes. There are various theories as to how this Simian virus-infected human, the most plausible being, either through an infected needle or probably a knife or wound which was infected with the blood of the animal. Once in human circulation, the virus underwent mutation and became Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Another theory is that two different strains of SIV joined together and formed a different strain that adapted itself to its new host – the human being.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a contagious disease that currently has no cure. Without treatment, it can severely weaken a person’s immune system and can be fatal. When a person does have early symptoms of HIV, these may resemble a cold or flu. Testing is the only way to know if a person has HIV, said Dr Bela Sharma, Additional Director, Internal Medicine, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram.
The early symptoms of HIV can include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Swollen lymph glands
- Rash
- Sore throat
- Muscle/joint pain
- Night sweats
- Diarrhea
- As the condition progresses, people with HIV may develop a weakened immune system.
- Infections that were once minor, such as canker sores in the mouth, or a tooth abscess or cavity, may cause significant pain. It may become more difficult for people with HIV to recover from these infections.
- A person may notice that they have more frequent minor infections, such as colds or yeast infections.
- They may also notice that they are sick more often than before, or for longer periods of time.
- Some people may get very ill from infections that would normally not be life threatening.
