VIH

Medical centre authorised by the Generalitat de Catalunya

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HIV or AIDS?

Today there is a lot of cross-information or bad information, especially in social networks.That’s why, before knowing how you can get infected, you have to know how to differentiate between HIV and AIDS.
HIV is the human immunodeficiency virus and causes the destruction of white blood cells, or to understand better, the defenses of the human body. AIDS, on the other hand, is the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, and it is the most advanced phase of the virus, that is, having HIV does not mean having AIDS.

WHEN CAN I TAKE THE TEST?

 

Nowadays there is a great variety of tests and that is why we always advise having a prior consultation with our doctor in order to assess which is the best one for your case.

Depending on the time elapsed since the last risk contact, we can make you:

– Over 10 days from the contact: Through our PCR technique we will directly look for the presence of the virus, that no matter how small the genetic material or RNA can be detected, with a 99% efficiency, nowadays there is no detection technique of HIV earlier than this one.

– For 4 weeks of contact: This test, called 4th Generation, which detects both the presence of antibodies and the p24 antigen. Antigen p24 is the protein characteristic of the virus layer, and its levels rise much earlier than the presence of antibodies. This technique continues being used in the great majority of centers since its effectiveness ascends practically 99%.

 After 3 months: This is the conventional technique and the one that has been used the longest in health care as an HIV screening. It is very effective, but the big drawback is your waiting time, 3 months.

TREATMENT:

It is well known that HIV has no cure, but there is medication to control the virus. Currently, the majority of people who receive treatment and maintain their constant viral load, lead a completely normal life without health problems.
In addition, it can be said that with no viral treatment and viral load, the virus can not be transmitted unless its levels are increased at some specific moment.

PEP (Poexposition Prophylaxis)

Medication used once you have had the risk contact, and must be administered within the first 72 hours. Most medications used in PEP are the same as those used as a treatment for HIV. These can sometimes cause side effects, but they are not fatal at all, and they all disappear over time.

This treatment lasts for 28 days, and 1 or 2 pills should be taken without exception. Once those 28 days have elapsed, it will always be advisable to perform a test test after the window period after the last PEP shot.

PREP (Pre-exposure prophylaxis)

It consists of taking a daily anti-HIV drug, in order to reduce reducing the possibility of contracting the HIV virus. Studies have shown that through the use of PrEP the risk of contracting HIV through unprotected sex is around 90% and up to 70% for the use of injectable drugs.