Medical: Introduction
HIV is short for 'human immunodeficiency virus'. Immunodeficiency means reduced function of the immune system. Thus the virus prevents your immune system from working properly. Nowadays HIV can be treated effectively. With the latest medication, regular check-ups and good medical care, you no longer have to get sick. Strict therapy compliance (always taking your medication on time) is very important in this regard. HIV cannot yet be cured. It is a chronic condition for which you require lifelong medication.
Without treatment, HIV breaks down your body's immune system, so you can get all kinds of infections and diseases. If you have HIV and do not take any medication, you will eventually get AIDS, which stands for 'acquired immunodeficiency syndrome'. Acquired means contracted (you have caught it). One characteristic of AIDS is the serious infections with fungi, viruses or bacteria, which people without the HIV infection actually never get. Because your immune system is not working properly, these infections are not easy to treat, leading to people with AIDS eventually dying.
The HIV virus was discovered in 1984. It proved to be an infection that is transmitted very easily. Ten years after it was discovered, around a million people worldwide had HIV. Considerable research has been carried out on the disease, the treatment of and possible cure for HIV, as well as the prevention of new HIV infections.
Since 1996, we have known that combination therapy (taking a number of HIV inhibitors at the same time) is the best way to treat an HIV infection. This combination therapy reduces the number of HIV particles in your blood, meaning you have a low 'viral load'. A low viral load means that your immune system works well and your body is protected against serious infections. However, like all medication, this combination therapy also has side effects. Research is ongoing into new medications with fewer side effects.
HIV is short for 'human immunodeficiency virus'. Immunodeficiency means reduced function of the immune system. Thus the virus prevents your immune system from working properly. Nowadays HIV can be treated effectively. With the latest medication, regular check-ups and good medical care, you no longer have to get sick. Strict therapy compliance (always taking your medication on time) is very important in this regard. HIV cannot yet be cured. It is a chronic condition for which you require lifelong medication.
Without treatment, HIV breaks down your body's immune system, so you can get all kinds of infections and illnesses. If you have HIV and do not take any medication, you will eventually get AIDS, which stands for 'acquired immunodeficiency syndrome'. Acquired means contracted (you have caught it). One characteristic of AIDS is the serious infections with fungi, viruses or bacteria, which people without the HIV infection never get. Because your immune system is not working properly, these infections are not easy to treat, leading to people with AIDS eventually dying.
The HIV virus was discovered in 1984. It proved to be an infection that is transmitted very easily. Ten years after it was discovered, around a million people worldwide had HIV. Considerable research has been carried out on the disease, the treatment of and possible cure for HIV, as well as the prevention of new infections.
In 1996, it was discovered that combination therapy (taking a number of HIV inhibitors at the same time) is the best way to treat an HIV infection. This combination therapy reduces the number of HIV particles in your blood, meaning you have a low 'viral load'. A low viral load means that your immune system works well and your body is protected against serious infections. There is currently no cure for HIV. We are therefore continuing to conduct research into new drugs with fewer side effects and the best treatment. The ultimate aim is the complete and permanent elimination of the virus.
Despite all efforts, the number of people with HIV increased enormously for years. In 2005, over 40 million people had an HIV infection, of which 2.3 million were under the age of 15. Since then, even more has been invested in prevention, research and new drugs, as a result of which the number of new infections has not increased and has even fallen in certain areas. In 2012, 35 million people worldwide were HIV infected (in the Netherlands the figure was over 21,000, of which 235 were under the age of 18).
Text: Marloes Vegelin
Animations: Caroline Ruigrok
Editor: Paulette Mostart
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