HIV/AIDS is still a concern for our health

Q. I don't hear too much about HIV/AIDS these days. Is it even still a concern?

A. The HIV/AIDS epidemic doesn't seem to make headlines as it once did. We've been able to improve therapies and life expectancies, but there is no cure, so education and prevention are still our best defenses.

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) attacks the body's immune system, making it impossible to fight infections. It is spread through contact with blood or body fluids. Routes of transmission include unprotected sexual intercourse (vaginal, oral, anal) with an infected partner; and needle/syringe sharing. The virus doesn't discriminate; it can affect anyone engaged in risky sexual behavior (multiple partners, not using a condom) or IV drug abuse.

Within the first two weeks of exposure, a person may have symptoms similar to any viral infection (soreness in the muscles and joints, headache, or fever). Then there may be no symptoms for months or even years. Eventually, patients may experience a rash, enlarged lymph nodes, unexplained weight loss, or other infections.

AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is the term used when HIV has most severely affected the immune system. Patients in this category are most at risk of opportunistic infections - those that a normal immune system can control.

Current treatments rely on suppressing the virus' ability to attack or infect the immune cells (mainly those called CD4). While life expectancy has been greatly improved, patients still need to take medication every day for the rest of their lives.

If you have concerns about exposure, talk to your doctor. He or she can perform an HIV test and answer any other questions you might have. It can be a sensitive subject for some patients, but your physician is there to help. Never be embarrassed to talk openly with him or her.

Erik Polan, D.O., is an internal medicine physician at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.