Stages of HIV infection
Stages of HIV infection

HIV or Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus is a life-threatening virus that attacks the CD-4 lymphocytes of the human body and brings down its immune system to a level that it is vulnerable to all kinds of diseases. If not treated timely, the infected person dies due to the direct effect of all other diseases rather than HIV alone.

HIV has three stages;

Acute HIV infection
When HIV virus enters the blood stream of the body, it immediately attacks the lymphocytes in the blood. The patient may not notice its effect in the initial weeks until the time when the lymphocytes count in the blood stream has reduced to a drastic level. Flu like symptoms would begin to a appear.
High fever with head ache and nausea would be persistent for a couple of days. Some people might even experience Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. These symptoms would remain for a normal period and the patient would return to normal state without ever knowing the real cause of the flu infection.

The second stage is called as the chronic infection stage. The patient enters this stage when the HIV starts killing off CD-4 cells thereby weakening the immune system on a daily basis. Post the flu symptoms, the infected person may not even have a slightest idea that he is infected with HIV. This is the stage where HIV infection is at its peak and can go unnoticed until at least a decade. If untreated during this time, the HIV will keep on destroying CD-T4 cells by latching on to it.

The third and the final stage of the HIV infection is AIDS
When the CD-T4 lymphocytes count has gone below 200, the immune system of the infected person is completely down. At this stage, much severe symptoms start to appear. Some of them include. Feeling tired all the time, Unexplained profuse night sweating, Fever that lasts for more than a week, severe diarrhea that lasts longer than usual, unexplained skin pigmentation with bruises and bleeding. Some unusual symptoms such as yeast infection in reproductive organs and swollen lymph nodes in neck and groin. Person infected with AIDS is normally suffers from Kaposi’s sarcoma which is a type of skin cancer and pneumonia. People with unhealthy lifestyles are more prone to suffer from STD’s such as genital herpes and gonorrhea. As stated earlier the body of the infected person falls prey to other infections which results in death.

A person suffering from AIDS can survive for 4 years or more with proper medication.

Hence it is important for the potential patients to get tested thoroughly for any signs of infections. If found positive, it is advisable to start the treatment immediately before the stage of infection advances.

  • Benefits of equity release

    Equity release is a process which refers to retaining an asset that has capital value, while the owner enjoys a steady flow of income from the said asset, owing to the capital value of the assets. This is normally done for house and property through which you can earn income, but with a condition that the income provider must be repaid at a later stage after the demise of the home owner.

    Equity release scheme is preferred by elderly who have no intentions of leaving their estate to any heir or cannot, after their demise. A common form of equity release in the country is also known as a reverse mortgage. A reverse mortgage is a type of loan which is provided to elder people who are not charged any monthly mortgage payments but are responsible for paying all property taxes and homeowners insurance. The loan payment is deferred without any problems for accessing the home equity. The interest component for availing the mortgage is added back to the loan balance which in time increases the value above and beyond what can be recovered from the home at that stage.

    The advantages of equity release include:

    The lump sum amount which you will receive as part of the equity release is a tax-free form of annuity return one can say. Income tax takes out a major chunk of your income and thus this tax-free benefit can prove to be quite handy.

    Estate owners have to pay inheritance tax which is a tax paid when the heir of the estate owner inherits any property or the estate from the said owner. This can be quite a substantial amounts and the big advantage is equity release helps reduce the amount of inheritance tax that needs to be paid.

    The housing market conditions influence the prices which keep fluctuating and thus there is no sure guarantee of good returns. However, with equity release, there is a no negative equity guarantee that will protect the borrowed from these fluctuating prices which can affect the overall value of the estate or property.

    Borrowers are free to refinance their mortgage a minimized cost with other finance providers owing to fluctuating interest rates. This is a big benefit when it comes to equity release.

    As mentioned earlier, equity release will enable the owner (borrower) of the home or estate to reside on the same property without worrying about repayments during the tenure of their stay up until their demise.

    Read more
  • How the right daybed covers can improve your interior decor

    If you live in a studio apartment or a tiny space and have toiled hard to find a solution to get furniture that serves the purpose of napping, seating, lounging as well as accommodating guests at night, a comfortable daybed is all you need.

    The popularity of daybeds can’t be denied and it’s all due to their versatility. It is so easy to choose a daybed for any kind of space because they come in so many sizes and styles. Daybeds can be a single or a twin bed or even a trundle bed that can be pulled out when required for some additional sleeping space. The style you choose to go with will depend on what complements the rest of your interior décor style. Depending on the space available, it will be wise to decide beforehand the size of the daybed you want to go with. There are large and elaborate ones that are more traditional and slim and simple designs that suitably fit tiny spaces.

    Making your daybed visually appealing is not a difficult job as you can shop for so many kinds of daybed covers. A variety of affordable fitted daybed covers come in an array of fabrics and designs. It’s also a good idea to turn an unused bed into a daybed to make it multi-functional. This gives you a simple yet chic option to add an extra sitting and napping place. You will be surprised how simply changing the upholstery can drastically alter the overall look of your furniture.

    To make it more inviting, all you need to do is to find a good fitted or tailored daybed cover and throw a bunch of cushions or a pair of bolsters to match the upholstery style. To make the daybed cozier and livelier, go with warm colors. If you are particularly fond of a feminine look, pastel shades or floral designs on your daybed cover would be good. For an airy and spacious look, cool colors like lighter shades of blue do wonders. If you want to add a sense of depth, white and off-whites are what you need for your daybed covers.

    Read more
  • Best down-filled quilted jackets for men

    Nothing can beat a good quilted jacket, whether it is for casual wear or spring wear. They are known by different names like puffer jackets, down-filled jackets and quilted jackets for minor modifications in their insulation. There are many quilted leather jackets available for purchase varying in insulation, color, and weight. Quilting is nothing but decorative stitches with multiple layers of fabric. A padding layer is provided between these two layers. It is this padding layers that provides a three-dimensional look on jackets that have quilting and diamond shapes. Let us take a look at some of the best quilted or puffer jackets available for men.

    Arc’teryx Cerium LT Hoody
    Weighing 10.8 oz., Arc’teryx provides effective insulation along with a premium feel. They are a built expensive but at the same time look the best among all the quilted jackets. The closest competitor is the Patagonia when it comes to looks. Cerium LT is a flagship product among jackets and weighs the least. A Cerium LT hoody costs around $379.

    Feathered Friends Eos
    Weighing around 10.6 oz. Feathered Friends provides the best warmth to weight ratio. This is a jacket for serious outdoor people. Although they aren’t marketed to that extent, Feathered Friends are still considered top notch when it comes to their range of quilted and puffer jackets. The only drawback that they aren’t ranked first is their limited availability of colors. A Feathered Friend EOS costs around $309.

    Rab Neutrino Endurance
    Weighing around 22.4 oz., Rab is a perfect outdoor jacket with real heavy down fill. The jacket has a 30D Pertex shell which gives a quality feel along with good resistance to weather. The only downside could be the same heavy down fill which makes the jacket a little heavier when compared to other jackets in the same league. The Rab costs around $375.

    Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Hooded
    Ghost Whisperer is a very lightweight jacket for incredible warmth. The jacket weighs around 7.7 oz. with a fill of 2.8 oz. The ghost whisperer comes with optional hood, two side pockets, and a side hem cinch. It is an ideal jacket for minimalist backpackers and climbers. The only drawback of this jacket is, ghost whisperer won’t stand up to harsh weather and might wear out. Ghost Whisperer is certainly not a jacket for daily use. The zipper that comes along with the jacket is a little flimsy and can be a disappointment. The jacket costs around $350.

    Read more
  • How To Buy The Best Mattress At Affordable Rates

    A mattress is a type of pad that is mainly on bed furniture, allowing people to experience more comforts in the sleeping process. The mattresses are available with foam, wool, cotton, polyester batting, adhesives, flame retardants, and steel coils, thereby showing ways for improving the conditions of a bed.

    People who buy a mattress for the first time may face several challenges and they should focus more on considering certain factors in order to make the purchase a valuable one. Memory foam mattresses, latex mattresses, innerspring mattresses, and hybrid mattresses are some types that attract a lot of customers in various parts of the world.

    It is necessary to keep important things in mind before buying a new mattress, which include:

    • Size
    • Features
    • Quality
    • Materials used
    • Weight
    • Edge support
    • Options
    • Prices
    • Grade
    • Fire and smoke safety
    • Flexibility
    • Elasticity
    • Warranty
    • Padding
    • Dimensions
    • Brand

    Knowing more about queen mattresses
    The queen mattress is slightly smaller than a king mattress which offers adequate space for multiple people in a bedding. Another thing is that it is a suitable one for singles who want to sprawl all over the world while sleeping. Moreover, it is an excellent choice for the guest rooms and couples to ensure better accommodation. It is available with 60 X 80-dimensional inches thereby giving ways for relaxing the body accordingly.

    Apart from that, the mattress offers a great support to the body thereby showing ways for reducing spine problems and other issues. Those who want to buy the best-rated queen mattresses must conduct a proper research before investing their money. One must get more details about them from different sources including online sites for meeting the exact needs.

    Popular and best-rated queen mattresses
    Signature Sleep Contour Queen Mattress comes with CertiPUR-US certified foams enabling the users to get peace of mind from unwanted prices. It is available in 8 inches with multiple size options which pave ways for ensuring complete satisfaction. Besides that, the mattress enables the users to flip and rotate them on the beds by addressing essential requirements. The mattress is low in VOC emissions thereby enhancing the quality of indoor air. Moreover, the hybrid design features of mattress play a key role in eliminating motion transfer for minimizing disturbances.

    Zinus Memory Foam Queen Mattress is more Eco-friendly that can prevent bad odor and unwanted bacteria to witness major changes. The product comes with Green Tea extract and Castor Natural Seed oil that promote a healthy sleeping. It meets the specific market standards and is known for the durability, performance, and content. Customers can buy this mattress in four different thicknesses which range from 6 to 10 inches.

    The Home Life Comfort Sleep Queen Mattress features around 480 tempered coils which fit all body types. Apart from that, it makes feasible ways for reducing motion problems effectively to remain undisrupted in the bed. It even provides methods for replacing the current mattress that will fit any standard bed frame.

    How to buy the best-rated queen mattresses
    It is important to compare the best-rated queen mattresses online for choosing a right one at affordable rates. There are several online stores which offer the best-rated king and queen mattresses at cheaper prices, thus enabling customers to save more money. The queen mattress is a suitable one for apartments and small homes that are having limited spaces. At the same time, one should select a better product for making the sleeping process an enjoyable one.

    A customer should read the terms and conditions including return policies at the time of buying a mattress online as it will help to order the product without any difficulties. There are many websites which cover reviews of the best-rated queen mattresses, which guide customers to select them with choices. In addition, they provide free shipping to customers, thereby making them receive a product on their doorsteps, without any hassles.

    Read more
  • A Guide to the Best Extended Stay Hotels

    Some people get tired of the same old hotels, especially if they are planning on staying for a long time. They deserve some benefits for renting a room for an extended duration. Hotel owners have caught on to this and now offer amazing deals to guests if they stay for a week or sometimes even a month. Some of the bigger companies offer incredible room rates to people who plan on staying for a month or more. Such rentals can be pretty reasonable, and they come with plenty of amenities.

    Following are some of the best extended-stay hotels that offer great deals.

    • Extended Stay America
      Extended Stay America offers great deals for people who want to stay for a week or longer. The brand has over 700 locations in the country and caters to everyone. They give steeper discounts to people who wish to stay for a month or longer. Along with the room, there are certain amenities provided such as a kitchen and a work area. This extended-stay hotel chain is an excellent choice for people who are traveling for business or people who need to take a temporary break. The kitchen allows you to cook whatever you want, and with the laundry room and free Wi-Fi, you will feel right at home.
    • Suburban Extended Stay Hotel®
      This range of suites by Choice Hotels is one of the best-in-class performers. It is regularly rated as one of the top hotels to stay at for an extended duration of time. It offers amenities such as high-speed internet and television sets with premium movie channels. The weekly and monthly rates help guests save a lot of money, and people are especially happy about the well-equipped kitchen. You will not have to clean up after yourself as they provide housekeeping facilities, and all these features will make you feel pampered all day long. Choice Hotels also has MainStay Suites® whose amenities are similar to that of the Suburban Extended Stay Hotel®. They provide studio and one-bedroom options. They also offer a laundry service to guests. Business professionals can access the business center too. Suburban Extended Stay Hotel® also provides a complimentary Continental breakfast every morning.
    • Other hotel chains
      Regular hotel chains also offer long-term rentals with great amenities at low prices. People may opt for these options instead of the hotel chains mentioned above. TownePlace by Marriott is a great example, which offers a grill on the deck and large closets with racks and storage bins. The rooms are also pet-friendly. People who are staying for a long time can avail of additional discounts.
    Read more
  • 5 new trendy features in today’s refrigerators

    Buying a refrigerator at any price point has become more tricky with so many features that are available. These features help to make the kitchen more organized and easy to find things in the refrigerator. Popular refrigerator brands that one can choose from include LG, Whirlpool, Samsung, Kenmore, and GE. There are various models that these brands provide that have amazing features based on the price. Listed below are the five trending features to look for while buying a new refrigerator.

    • Freshness first
      Dual evaporators are needed to maintain higher humidity levels as well as prevent freezer odors from migrating. A refrigerator that contains air purifiers is great in eliminating the bacteria and mole spores. The vacuum-sealed crisper drawers help to keep the food fresh for longer.
    • Through-the-door ice and water dispenser
      This feature is most requested by buyers these days. It is one of the most convenient features as one can drink water many times a day without repeatedly opening the refrigerator door. The popular refrigerators that offer this feature are the GE PFE28KMKES and Samsung Family Hub Refrigerator. However, the drawback of this feature is that one has to compromise on the storage space, and, usually, this convenient feature requires the high maintenance.
    • Door-in-door storage access
      One can grab the beverages and condiments that are frequently used without opening the entire door of the refrigerator with this door-in-door storage access feature. This feature also helps to save energy in the long run as the entire door is opened less frequently, thereby reducing one’s electricity cost.
    • Temperature controls
      On the basis of the things kept in, one can vary the temperatures in the different sections of the fridge. For example, the temperature will be set as cooler as compared to the rest of the fridge in a drawer that stores meat, fish, and cold cuts. Some popular models that offer temperature controls are refrigerators like the GE GNS23GMHES 22.7 CU. FT. French-Door and Samsung RF34H9960S4.
    • Better shelves and drawers
      One can now rearrange split shelves to different heights independently and adjust the doors to fit taller items. There are many refrigerators that have deep storage bins that are specifically meant for storing eggs and other dairy items like milk, butter, and cheese. Also, elevator shelves crack up and down without needing it to be unloaded. These features help easily store beverages and condiments of different shapes and sizes. Also, shelf snuggers that are attached to the rack help to keep bottles and jars secure. Pullout bins and shelves make storing items easier.
    Read more
  • Gift baskets for various occasions

    Important occasions and events call for commemorative gifts that would warm the heart and gladden the mind. The holiday season, birthdays, anniversaries and many other such events call for gifts that you can lavish upon your near and dear ones. In case you are not able to settle on a single gift, then you would do well to choose a gift basket so that you can put together many things in one gift that would be of use for someone. Come and take a look at the various kinds of gift baskets that you can gift to your near and dear ones.

    During the Holidays: Holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and other such occasions call for family gatherings. It would be a good idea to carry gift baskets that would have something or the other for all members of the family, in case you are meeting at one person’s home for a meal or party. You may want to carry gift baskets that have plenty of candy and chocolates as well as some beverages. Also, you can carry baskets that have gourmet ingredients and cold cuts which can be served to the guests. An artisan bread or cheese gift basket would also be a good idea if the family mostly comprises of adults.

    For that Office Do: When there is an office party, people are usually confused about what to carry. If the party is happening at a senior’s home, it would a good idea to carry a gift basket that would combine luxurious items like wine and cheese as well as some pretty napkins and cheese cutters, But ensure that you do not go over the top and embarrass your guests with something that may seem too much to accept.

    At a Graduation Party: A graduation party is one where the mood is light and everyone is ready to have a fun time. If it is being thrown at a particular batch mate or class mate’s home, then you may want to carry a gift basket of snacks and other such items which can also be used by the roommates or siblings, depending on who he or she may be living with.

    Birthday Parties: The gift basket for a birthday party will ideally depend on the age of the recipient. You can choose a gift basket of princess-themed toys and bunting as well as junk jewelry for a little girl. Combine these with some cool beverages and candy. If the party is for a boy, then you can go in for action figures combined with some board games and even a few miniature cars. For older people, you can carry gift baskets that would include food items as well as some home linen sets.

    House Warming: For a house warming party, you can carry a gift basket that can contain various kinds of chocolates, cheeses, and wine as well as a little something if the couple or host have children too.

    Read more
  • Online pregnancy test and other tests to detect early pregnancy

    Pregnancy is one of the best phases of one’s life. It is important to detect pregnancy at the right time so that one can have all the check-ups done and take the necessary precautions. Detecting pregnancy at the right time is a matter of calculations based on your last period and the missed one, as well as the signs and symptoms that come during the first weeks of pregnancy. Apart from a home kit that could test for pregnancy, you can also try an online pregnancy test to find out whether or not you are pregnant. Yet, you will still have to go through a physical test in order to find out whether or not you are pregnant for sure. Here’s how the online pregnancy test works.

    • Questions: The test asks you a series of 12 to 14 questions so as to detect your last period and what mode of protection you have been using like condoms, birth control pills and more. Also, the test will seek to find out your ovulation date by asking the first date of your previous period and also the cycle you have. You could have a 25 to 28 day cycle, which differs from woman to woman.
    • Symptoms: The test will also ask you questions regarding various symptoms that you may have been experiencing. These can range from a sudden aversion towards various kinds of food and nausea as well as vomiting. Also, bloating in the abdomen region and tenderness of the breasts for a period of a few weeks are considered as symptoms of early pregnancy.
    • Results: The online pregnancy will show you the probability of your pregnancy rather than confirming that you are pregnant. Whatever the result be, you will have to see a doctor or take a home based pregnancy test as well so that you can confirm the results. Sometimes, you may be suffering from bloating, pain and light vaginal bleeding as well as missed menstrual cycle due to reasons like an STD or infection. So, it would be best to have the same checked by a doctor too.
    • Other tests: You can also calculate other things online like your due date, the status of the pregnancy which will point at the size, weight and other dimensions and development stage of the fetus. Further, this kind of a test will help you in understanding which trimester you are in, and when your trimester dates are. Also, you can calculate the check-ups of your various trimesters so that you do no miss any. But before any of this, it is important to find out whether or not you are pregnant. Also, once it is confirmed that you are pregnant, you will need to then take ample care of yourself in emotional and physical terms so that you can have a healthy and comfortable pregnancy with a well-developed fetus.
    Read more