Common questions about HIV answered
More than three decades ago, when doctors first identified AIDS and the HIV virus that caused it, the disease was regarded as a death sentence. Now, people diagnosed with the HIV virus can choose from an array of drugs and treatments that can keep them healthy for years.
To answer some common questions about the disease, USA TODAY spoke with Dr. David Rosenthal, Medical Director for the Center for Young Adult Adolescent and Pediatric HIV at North Shore-LIJ Health System in Great Neck, N.Y.
The following questions and answers have been summarized:
USA TODAY: What is the simple definition for HIV?
Dr. Rosenthal: HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It attacks a person's immune system, making it harder for the body to fight off infections and diseases. There are two main types: HIV-1 and HIV-2. The main difference between the two is that HIV-1 spreads easier and is more common around the world, while HIV-2 does not spread as easily and is mostly concentrated in portions of Western Africa.
USA TODAY: How common is HIV now compared to the past?
Dr. Rosenthal: The number of HIV cases continue to go up in the U.S. But while new cases continue to exist, patients with HIV are continuing to live longer due to improved treatments and awareness.
USA TODAY: What demographic is HIV most commonly found in?
Dr. Rosenthal: One-eighth of people with HIV are unaware of their infection. The disease is increasing the most in patients in the 13-24-year-old age group for both men and women. It is also increasing in young men who have sex with other men and heterosexual women, but new cases are less common in heterosexual men. Since many young people don't know that they are affected, they don't get treated and therefore are unknowingly passing it on to others. The only way to know you have HIV is to get an HIV test.
USA TODAY: How long can the disease go unnoticed in one's system? What are the first signs of the infection?
Dr. Rosenthal: HIV can go unnoticed for many years. Soon after someone is infected they may experience flu-like symptoms, which can continue for several weeks and then it will continue to progress over a period of time. Most people are asymptomatic when they have HIV, and they don't really notice it until the disease progresses and it attacks their immune system more significantly.
USA TODAY: What are the best ways for people to prevent, treat, or contain the disease?
Dr. Rosenthal: We need to continue and make sure that people are tested on a regular basis because if you can diagnosis it, you can treat it. You can't get rid of the underlying disease but you can control the symptoms by taking medication every day.
USA TODAY: What is the main mode of treatment?
Dr. Rosenthal: HIV is treated with medications called combination antiretroviral therapy, which is a cocktail of different medications that attack HIV in different points in its life cycle. People used to have to take many pills, many times a day, now they can take as few as one pill once a day.
USA TODAY: What is life like for people with HIV?
Dr. Rosenthal: For the most part, patients with HIV live long, normal and healthy lives, but just have to take their medicine every day. People that don't take their medicine regularly can get ill with many infections, which can eventually lead to death.
USA TODAY: How can people prevent the disease from spreading?
Dr. Rosenthal: HIV can be kept under control by taking medication every day and maintaining a healthy life style. The disease can be prevented by barrier protection during sexual intercourse, such as condoms. PrEP — which stands for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis — is an FDA-approved medication that people can take everyday to keep themselves from contracting the disease.
USA TODAY: Who are some other notable people or celebrities living with HIV?
Dr. Rosenthal: The most notable people who are living with HIV are my patients that live with HIV each and every day. Having celebrities talk about a disease is important, but we can’t lose fact that most people who live with diseases like HIV do so in private. Each person with HIV chooses to make their diagnosis either more private or more public, but what is most important is that patients get treatment and follow up with their doctors regularly to stay healthy.
Follow USA TODAY reporter Trisha Thadani on Twitter: @TrishaThadani