11 February, 2022
As of September 2021, the UK Government has cut funding for the global fight against HIV. “As a part of an inquiry led by the All Party Parliamentary Group on HIV and AIDS, experts have warned that the decision to reduce the UK’s overseas aid budget from 0.7% of national income to 0.5%, could ‘reverse decades of hard-won progress’ that has been made in cutting transmission and death rates across the world.” (The Independent).
This National HIV Testing Week, it is vital to promote the awareness of HIV, the symptoms and testing options available. HIV is a global public health issue, having claimed the lives of 36.3 million people since it originated, (WHO).
‘HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that damages the cells in your immune system and weakens your ability to fight everyday infections and diseases,’ (NHS). The virus is spread through bodily fluids of an infected person including, semen, vaginal and anal fluids, blood and breast milk.
HIV signs and symptoms vary quite significantly depending on what stage of infection your body is experiencing. These stages are referred to as ‘Stage One: Acute HIV Infection’, ‘Stage Two: Clinical Latency’, and ‘Stage Three: AIDS’. They consist of the following symptoms
Stage One
- Fever or chills
- Rash
- Night sweats
- Muscle aches
- Sore throat
Stage Two
- People in this stage may not feel sick of have any symptoms
Stage Three
- Rapid weight loss
- Recurring fever or night sweats
- Pneumonia
- Memory loss, depression, and other neurological disorders
(HIV.gov).
If an individual thinks they have HIV, they need to seek a medical professional’s advice as soon as possible. They will advise a blood test to see if HIV can be detected. If the virus has been detected in the patients’ blood, there are many options. Due to the ongoing research into HIV and AIDS, a diagnosis no longer means death. People with HIV can live a long and prosperous life with modern medicine.
The awareness of HIV is essential to lower transmission rates and improve treatments. High risk groups are encouraged to get tested regularly for HIV by a health professional including GP’s or medical staff.
Fortress Diagnostics offers a range of reliable and affordable tests for HIV. These tests include Immunoassay ELISAs, Controls and Calibrators and Rapid Diagnostics tests. For more information on these tests, please email marketing@fortressdiagnostics.com and a member of our Sales Team will be in contact.
