Austin Journal of HIV/AIDS Research is an open access, peer reviewed, scholarly journal dedicated to publish articles in all areas of research in HIV/AIDS. The aim of the journal is to provide a forum for researchers and other health professionals to find most recent advances in the areas of HIV/AIDS research and treatment. Austin Journal of HIV/AIDS Research covers special areas of virology such as HIV/AIDS diagnosis, early detection, prognosis, epidemiology, transmission, palliative care and large multicentre studies of new therapies. Austin Journal of HIV/AIDS Research accepts original research articles, review articles, case reports, clinical images and rapid communication on all the aspects of diagnosis and treatments of HIV/AIDS.

2. WHAT ARE HIV &
AIDS?
HIV(Human Immunodeficiency Virus)- It is the
virus compromises the body’s ability to handle
disease and causes AIDS.
AIDS(Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)- It
is related to HIV, but they are not one in the same. A
person has AIDS only in the final stages of HIV, after
the immune system becomes unable to defend itself
against foreign invaders like bacteria and other
viruses, allows the development of certain cancers.

5. ETIOLOGY
The world first became aware of AIDS in
the early 1980’s.
Researchers aren’t sure exactly when and
how HIV developed.
The mostly likely theories assume that
HIV-1 was transmitted to humans from
chimpanzees sometime in the early 20th
century.

6. INCUBATION PERIOD
The incubation period is from HIV
infection till development of AIDS.
It is from a few months to 10 years or
even more.
However it is estimated that 75% of
people infected with HIV will develop
AIDS at the end of 10 years.

8. PATHOGENESIS OF HIV
INFECTION

10. SYMPTOMS
Dry, flaky skin
Chronic fatigue
Fever that comes and goes(pyrexia)
Diarrhea that lasts more than a week
Heavy night sweats(hyperhidrosis)
Rapid weight loss
Swollen lymph nodes
White spots on tongue, mouth and throat

11. DIAGNOSIS
To be tested for HIV you usually give a sample
of blood, urine or swab of fluids from the mouth.
It is recommended that if you are sexually
active or have multiple partners you should be
tested every six months.

12. PROGNOSIS
The prognosis for those with HIV is
improving with the development of
antiretroviral drugs that help to reduce
the amount of HIV in the blood to an
“undetectable viral load”.

13. PREVENTION
To prevent HIV transmission during sex you
need to use a condom.
HIV can be spread through vaginal, anal or oral
sex.
Open sores from STDs like herpes & syphilis
provide gateways for HIV to enter the body.
Gonorrhea & Chlamydia may weaken the skin &
mucous barriers that help prevent infection.
If you inject drugs, use a new sterile needle each
time to significantly reduce the risk of HIV
transmission.

14. TREATMENT
There is no cure for HIV. Antiretroviral
therapy can reduce the presence of the
virus in the body, but cannot eliminate it.