HIV Specialist in Patna – Confidential HIV, PEP & PrEP Care

A1: HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. As Dr. Pratyush Kumar explains, it's a tiny germ (a virus) that attacks your body's defense system, specifically certain cells called CD4 cells. These cells are like the soldiers of your immune system, helping you fight off sickness. If HIV isn't treated, it can weaken your immune system so much that it can't fight off even common infections.

A2: HIV is the virus itself. AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is the most advanced stage of HIV infection. According to Dr. Pratyush Kumar, someone gets diagnosed with AIDS when their immune system is very badly damaged by HIV, leading to serious infections or certain types of cancer. Not everyone with HIV will get AIDS, especially if they start treatment early.

A3: Within 2 to 4 weeks after getting infected, some people might feel like they have the flu. This is called acute HIV. Symptoms can include fever, headache, muscle aches, rash, sore throat, or swollen glands, notes Dr. Pratyush Kumar. But many people have no symptoms at all, or their symptoms are very mild and easily mistaken for a common cold. Serious symptoms might not show up for many years.

A4: No, absolutely not. As Dr. Pratyush Kumar emphasizes, you cannot tell if someone has HIV by how they look. People living with HIV, especially those taking their medicines, can look perfectly healthy for a long time.