HIV / Aids

HIV is an abbreviation and stands for "Human Immunodeficiency Virus." Translated, this means a virus that weakens the human immune system. HIV damages the body's natural defenses, which are also called the immune system.

As a result, the body can no longer fight off invading pathogens such as bacteria, fungi, or viruses. In the worst case, certain life-threatening illnesses occur, such as severe pneumonia. This stage is known as AIDS.

AIDS is also an abbreviation, which stands for "Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome."

Today, there are very effective medications available for HIV. They prevent the virus from multiplying in the blood, though they cannot completely remove it from the body. Thanks to these medications, most people with HIV can now live with the virus for a long time without developing AIDS.

However, in some cases, the medications can have severe side effects and must be taken for life.