
HIV is short for human immunodeficiency virus. HIV infection can cause AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). HIV is transmitted sexually but you can also contract the infection if HIV-infected blood enters your system. Women with HIV can also pass the infection on to their children during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. HIV infection advances in stages and AIDS is the final one. Not everyone with HIV gets AIDS.
Once someone is infected with HIV, it lasts a lifetime. It is not possible for the body to become completely free of HIV. But by paying attention to the early HIV positive symptoms, you can start timely treatment to control the spread of the infection.
The early signs of HIV
HIV signs and symptoms vary depending on the stage of the infection. A person with HIV may not experience all the symptoms of the infection. Most people with HIV develop flu-like symptoms a few weeks after contracting the virus and some may not feel sick at all. Other common symptoms have been listed below.
Fever
Muscle aches
Joint pain
Headaches
Sore throat
Swelling in the lymph nodes
Rash
Night sweats
Fatigue
Mouth ulcers
Steps to take when you notice the warning signs of HIV:
The early signs of the HIV infection are similar to other viral infections. So, it is easy to assume these symptoms as just another infection. But if you suspect it to be HIV, it is very crucial to immediately consult a doctor and get yourself tested.
The early HIV positive symptoms can be so mild that you may not even feel that you are sick. It is during this early stage of the infection that your body has the most number of viruses and raises your chances of infecting others. Therefore, if you feel there is even a slightest chance that you may have HIV (in case you had unprotected sex with anyone recently or if the blood of an injured person got into your system), testing for it can be helpful in controlling the infection.
Some people do not experience any early symptoms of HIV. Some people with HIV may not even have any symptoms for years. Therefore, if you suspect you might be exposed to the virus, getting tested is the right thing to do. Only HIV tests can confirm the presence of an infection as early HIV signs and symptoms are the same as any other viral infection.
Treatment
HIV infection treatment options may vary from each person. HIV has no cure, but with daily medication, therapies, and regular testing, it is possible to manage the disease.
There are many different types of HIV drugs. Each type of drug fights the HIV infection in a different way.
Doctors usually recommend the use of 23 drugs from different classes to prevent the viruses from becoming resistant to the treatment.
Each person can respond to the treatment differently. This is why your doctor will consider your medical history before prescribing any drugs.
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4 credit card processing services tailormade for small businesses
Read moreCredit card processing appears to be an easy process, wherein a card is swiped on the machine and an immediate deduction reflects on the buyer’s account. However, there are several more parties involved in this transaction apart from the consumer, the seller, and the bank. There are also credit card processing services that enable the transaction to take place. The payment of funds is a wireless transaction that is conducted between a consumer, the merchant (seller) who processes the transaction, and a catalyst (processing services) that brings about the transaction.
The transaction occurs when card details flow through the vendor’s processing company and through the credit card networks which connect to the cardholder’s bank. The payment is then processed depending upon the bank’s approval or denial.
Top credit card processing services
Below are our recommendations for the best credit card processing services that are transparent, have fair pricing, and provide excellent solutions.PayPal
PayPal does not charge any extra or surprise fees such as installation, compliance, and monthly maintenance. The charges made to you wholly depend on the number of transactions that take place through PayPal.While PayPal charges less for transactions that process through the platform, various added features are locked and can only be utilized when the specified fees to acquire the feature is paid.
Helcim
Helcim has charted out the exact cost and pricing of their services on their website. Training guidelines are also available for newcomers. They also accept all credit cards that are extensively used. Helcim also provides excellent customer service.Helcim is not recommended for small-time vendors who have small transactions and low revenue.
Square
Square follows a flat-fee system, which is ideal for small vendors thanks to its affordability. The pricing structure is very transparent and available on their website.The gateway may be affordable as it follows a standardized pricing system for all its customers. However, it may be expensive for big businesses. There have been complaints of accounts being shut down or frozen over dubious fraudulent activities.
CreditcardProccessing
There are no cancellation fees levied by this credit card processing company.Unlike the above-mentioned credit card processing companies, CreditcardProccessing is not as clear with respect to its pricing structure. This is because prices vary depending on the equipment used for processing the payment.
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Emphysema symptoms: What you ought to know
Read moreEmphysema is caused by continuous exposure of the bronchioles to irritants such as cigarette smoke, passive smoke, industrial solvent fumes etc. This makes the muscles of the bronchioles contract. Chronic exposure to irritants make these muscles contract permanently. Then, the mucus membrane lining the bronchioles start secreting mucus in order to wash away particulate irritants. Both these body reactions are to restrict the entry of the irritants into the cavities of the bronchioles and alveoli.
The next reaction is to cough out the irritants and the mucus. Severe forceful coughs can raise the pressure in the alveoli considerably and can rupture their exceedingly thin walls. The reduction of area for gas transfer and the loss of elastic tissues in the lungs reduces the capacity of the lungs to expel air. This reduces the intake volume of fresh air during breathing and can also lead to infections. These conditions produce the characteristic symptoms of wheezing, tightness in chest, labored breathing and coughing. These are also indications as well as symptoms of severe asthma.
The symptoms of emphysema are exceedingly severe and cause considerable damage to the lungs before the symptoms even show up. Generally, one feels a lack of energy and the tendency to skip some of the common daily routines. It progresses from slight difficulty in breathing to wheezing and then to a persistent cough that does not go away. One starts to feel a tightness in the chest and feels short of breath on exertion. Tiredness and persistent cough become constant.
Infections can set in, turning the sputum yellow, which also leads to loss of appetite, further aggravating tiredness. One will lose sleep and even sexual function. All this constant suffering and ill health lead to depression which would in turn lead to the patient needing psychiatric help. The lips and fingernails turn blue or gray due to lack of oxygen in the blood. One may get into a condition called hypoxia and may have to resort to oxygen therapy.
As the deterioration continues, the alveoli lose their strength and start rupturing. In extreme cases, there may be large scale destruction which leads to empty spaces in lungs called bullae. This would reduce the functional area of the lung which in extreme cases call for surgical removal. In an extremely rare condition, large scale rupture of alveoli can cause a condition called pneumothorax and the collapse of the lung, a very serious condition, which can be fatal. The best thing one can do is stop exposure to irritants.