Hesperian Health Guides
What are HIV and AIDS?
HealthWiki > Where There Is No Dentist > Chapter 12: HIV and Care of the Teeth and Gums > What are HIV and AIDS?
A person is said to have AIDS when they start to get many common health problems more often than usual and stays sick longer. Some of these problems are losing weight, sores that will not heal, a bad cough, sweating at night, diarrhea, skin rashes, a fever, or feeling very tired all the time.
Antiretroviral therapy (ART), a combination of several medicines that must be taken every day, can help people with HIV regain their health or stay healthy for many years. ART can also help prevent the spread of HIV to a baby or to people who are exposed accidentally. Taking ART medicines every day can help people live long, healthy lives.
Medicines for HIV are expensive, and people affected by HIV have organized to make them available for free or for a low price. Many governments and organizations provide ART for free either through their own funding or with the support of international donors. Talk to a health worker who has experience working with HIV to find out where to go for HIV treatment.