HIV is on the rise in Turkey: It's like a secret pandemic!

HIV cases, which are decreasing in the world, are increasing in Turkey. Moreover, these patients were detected incidentally while receiving treatment for other reasons. Early diagnosis and regular treatment enable patients to live their lives normally.

Between 38 and 40 million people worldwide have the potentially fatal AIDS infection. While the number of cases is decreasing on a global scale, there is a negative picture in Turkey. Recently, new cases have been detected every week at Kocaeli University Faculty of Medicine. Moreover, most of these patients are found by chance.

Kocaeli University Faculty of Medicine Lecturer Prof. Dr. Sıla Akhan said, "1-2 new patients come to the polyclinic every week. Some of them are people who are really at the beginning of the disease, and some of them are people who are diagnosed very late. In fact, we find them in completely different departments with completely different complaints. Because they are admitted to that hospital for that examination and their HIV infection is confirmed." We see that it is positive. Since it reaches the doctors working on this issue, the number of them is high. But of course, it is an extraordinary number and it is also important to encourage testing. Because there are many people who have the infection and continue to transmit it, and at the same time, they do not know it. That is why it is confidential. "It is talked about like a pandemic among us too." made his assessment.

During the epidemic, the number of people getting tested for HIV decreased. Professor said that the fear of being stigmatized and discriminated against causes those who suspect the disease to stay away from testing and not to receive a diagnosis. Dr. Akhan said, "HIV is such an infection that it allows a normal life to be maintained for 10 years without any complaints. But while it continues like this, it wears out the immune system. There is a constant war. This is called immune aging. If it has passed 10 years, it is very difficult for the patient to return. It is a must. "People should go to anonymous testing centers and do this easily because this is also a struggle." said.

HIV causes immunodeficiency. Early diagnosis and regular treatment enable patients to live their lives normally. According to last year's data, there are 35 thousand 807 people living with HIV in Turkey. The advanced stage of infection caused by HIV is called AIDS.

WHAT CAUSES HIV/AIDS?

HIV destroys CD4 T cells, which are white blood cells that play a big role in helping the body fight disease. The fewer CD4 T cells a person has, the weaker their immune system becomes.

It is possible to have HIV infection with little or no symptoms for years before it develops into AIDS. AIDS is diagnosed when the CD4 T cell count falls below 200 or when an AIDS-defining complication such as a serious infection or cancer is present.

Since there is no cure, it remains in the person's body chronically for life, but attempts are made to control it with medications.

HOW IS HIV/AIDS TRANSMITTED?

The HIV virus is transmitted to another person through the blood, semen, vaginal fluids, breast milk and rectal fluids of an infected person. People of all genders can contract HIV and spread the HIV virus, causing AIDS. Having unprotected sex and sharing needles to take drugs are considered the most common ways HIV is spread.

The HIV virus can enter the body through the mouth, anus, penis, vagina, or broken skin. The HIV virus, which cannot pass through the skin unless there is a cut or wound, can also pass from pregnant people to babies.

It is recommended that all women of childbearing age be informed about AIDS and get tested if necessary. The risk of contamination can be prevented to a large extent by applying preventive drug treatment to the pregnant mother and the baby after birth.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF HIV/AIDS?

A person infected with the HIV virus experiences fever, sweating, rash, sore throat, fatigue and mouth ulcers. In case of AIDS, which is the 3rd stage of HIV, rapid weight loss, recurrent fever and frequent sweats at night, extreme fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, memory loss. Symptoms such as neurological problems such as loss of life and depression, and sores in the mouth, anus and genitals occur.

Symptoms of AIDS, which is the advanced stage of the HIV virus, are:

Swelling of lymph nodes in the armpit, groin or neck

Overstrain

weight loss

Frequent fever and night sweats

Sore formation in the mouth (mouth ulcer, thrush)

Skin rashes and skin flaking

long-term diarrhea

Frequency of fungal infections in the genital organ

inflammation in the lungs

Red, brown, pink or purplish spots on the skin

Development of neurological problems such as memory loss and depression

Sore throat