HIV/AIDS

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HIV/AIDS Basics

Answers common questions about the basic definitions and differences of HIV/AIDS, virus characteristics, and non-transmission routes.

What is the relationship between HIV and AIDS? Does having HIV necessarily mean having AIDS?
How long can viruses survive outside the human body? What are the differences in various environments (e.g., air, water, object surfaces)?
What is the full medical name for AIDS? What are its diagnostic criteria?
Do saliva, sweat, and tears contain HIV? Is their concentration sufficient to pose a transmission risk?
Which type of human cell does HIV primarily attack? Why is this attack devastating to the immune system?
What are the three main transmission routes of HIV?
Can HIV be transmitted through everyday contact such as hugging, shaking hands, sharing meals, using shared toilets, or insect bites? Why or why not?
What class of virus does HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) belong to? What does its 'reverse transcription' characteristic mean?
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is categorized into HIV-1 and HIV-2. What are the distinctions between them?
When and where was AIDS first discovered?

Transmission Routes & Risks

Explains the main transmission routes of the HIV virus, including sexual contact, bloodborne transmission, and mother-to-child transmission, and assesses the associated risks.

Why is unprotected sexual intercourse the primary mode of HIV transmission? How do the risks of different types of sexual activity (anal sex, vaginal sex, oral sex) vary?
What specific high-risk behaviors are involved in bloodborne transmission? (e.g., sharing needles, unsafe blood transfusions)
Is there a risk of HIV transmission from tattoos, piercings, or unregulated dental procedures?
What measures are taken in blood donation and transfusion safety to prevent HIV transmission?
What is mother-to-child transmission (vertical transmission)? At which stages does it occur?
What is the probability of contracting HIV from a single high-risk exposure, and what factors influence this probability?

Disease Progression & Symptoms

Introduces the progression of HIV infection from the acute phase and asymptomatic period to the AIDS stage, including related symptoms and opportunistic infections.

Without treatment, how long does it typically take for HIV infection to progress to AIDS?
What are the common symptoms and signs typically observed in patients with late-stage AIDS?
What is an "Opportunistic Infection"? What is its connection to AIDS?
After the acute phase, infected individuals enter a protracted "asymptomatic period" (or clinical latency). What are the characteristics of this stage?
Why are HIV and Tuberculosis (TB) called the 'Deadly Duo'?
Why are Pneumocystis Pneumonia (PCP), Kaposi's Sarcoma (KS), and Tuberculosis (TB) so common in AIDS patients?
Does HIV infection directly affect the brain and nervous system? What neurological complications might it cause?
Why can't HIV infection be determined solely by symptoms?
When does the "acute phase" of HIV infection typically occur? What are the "flu-like" symptoms associated with it?
Why are individuals with HIV more susceptible to certain types of cancer?

Testing & Diagnosis

Covers the importance of HIV testing, main methods, window period, interpretation of results, and related privacy protection issues.

Which populations should undergo regular HIV testing? What is the recommended testing frequency?
What is the "window period"? Is the virus infectious during this period?
What is the working principle of a "Rapid Test"? How accurate is it?
What are the main HIV testing methods currently available? (e.g., antibody test, antigen/antibody combined test, nucleic acid test)
How important are privacy and confidentiality in HIV testing?
What is HIV self-testing at home? What are its advantages and disadvantages?
What does a positive preliminary screening test result mean? What should be done next?
What is the "window period" for HIV testing? How do window periods differ across various testing methods?
Why is HIV testing usually included in pre-marital and pre-pregnancy checkups?
Why is proactive HIV testing crucial?
What is "Voluntary Counseling and Testing" (VCT)? What are its core components?

Prevention Strategies & Measures

Presents various effective strategies and methods for preventing HIV transmission, including condoms, PrEP, PEP, and prevention of mother-to-child transmission.

Why is the correct use of condoms an effective means of preventing sexual transmission of HIV?
What does the ABC prevention strategy (Abstinence, Be faithful, Condom use) specifically refer to?
What is the 'harm reduction' principle behind 'clean needle exchange' programs for people who inject drugs?
What is a Combination Prevention strategy?
What does PEP's "golden 72 hours" mean? Why is timing so critical?
What is Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)? How does it differ from PrEP?
Why does male circumcision reduce the risk of men acquiring HIV through heterosexual intercourse?
Do lubricants help prevent HIV during sexual activity? How should they be chosen and used?
What is Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)? Who is eligible for PrEP?
What role does sex education for young students play in HIV prevention?
How to effectively implement mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) prevention to reduce HIV MTCT rates to extremely low levels?
How does PrEP medication prevent HIV infection? Does it need to be taken daily?

Treatment & Health Management

Explains antiretroviral therapy for HIV, key monitoring indicators, treatment goals, and important concepts like U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable).

What do "Viral Load" and "CD4 Count" represent as two key indicators?
What is "Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy" (HAART), commonly known as "cocktail therapy"?
What are the public health implications of "Treatment as Prevention" (TasP)?
What is HIV "drug resistance"? How does it develop?
What are the main classes of anti-HIV drugs, and what are their mechanisms of action?
Is the goal of treatment to "cure" HIV? If not, what is it?
What does U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable) mean? What profound impact does this concept have on the lives of infected individuals and society?
What is "treatment adherence"? Why is taking medication on time and in the prescribed amount crucial for HIV treatment?
What do long-acting antiviral drugs (e.g., injectables, implants) mean for the future of HIV treatment and prevention?
What are the common short-term and long-term side effects of antiviral treatment?
When should treatment begin after an HIV diagnosis?

Social, Psychological & Rights Issues

Discusses HIV-related stigma, discrimination, mental health, legal rights, life expectancy, and how to interact harmoniously with people living with HIV.

How does the life expectancy of individuals with HIV compare to that of the general population? How significant is the impact of treatment on their lifespan?
What other aspects should be considered for the daily health management of people living with HIV? (e.g., nutrition, mental health, management of other diseases)
What psychological stages do people typically experience after learning they are HIV positive?
What social responsibilities should media bear when reporting on HIV/AIDS?
Is an HIV-positive individual obligated to disclose their status to sexual partners? Are there legal provisions for this in different countries and regions?
What legal rights do individuals living with HIV have regarding employment, education, and medical care?
Why are psychological support and social care crucial for the health of people living with HIV?
How to interact normally and healthily with people living with HIV?
What unique challenges do "AIDS orphans" face?
What are HIV-related 'stigma' and 'discrimination'? What are their specific manifestations?
How do stigma and discrimination become major obstacles in HIV prevention and control?
Why is AIDS considered not only a health issue, but also a development, human rights, and security issue?

Key Populations & Epidemiology

Focuses on the specific challenges and needs faced by key populations (such as MSM, women, adolescents, the elderly) in HIV prevention and control.

What are the specific needs of transgender individuals in HIV prevention and care?
Why are interventions targeting key populations (e.g., gay men, sex workers, transgender individuals) crucial for prevention efforts?
What are the characteristics and treatment challenges of HIV and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) coinfection?
Why is the HIV infection rate higher among men who have sex with men (MSM) in many regions?
Why are women more susceptible to HIV infection than men, both physiologically and socially?
What are the challenges in HIV prevention and control among immigrants and mobile populations?
What new health challenges do older people living with HIV face, such as the coexistence of other chronic diseases?
What challenges does HIV prevention and control face among incarcerated populations, such as prisoners?
How can adolescents and young people access accurate HIV information and youth-friendly health services?

Global Response & Public Health

Explores the global AIDS epidemic, response strategies of international organizations, public health policies, and socio-economic impacts.

Is increasing public awareness of HIV fundamental to prevention efforts?
What is the significance of establishing World AIDS Day (December 1st)? What does the red ribbon represent?
How do drug patents and accessibility issues affect AIDS treatment in developing countries?
What are the main challenges in promoting HIV prevention and control programs in resource-limited settings?
What role do international organizations such as The Global Fund and the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) play in combating AIDS?
What impact has the COVID-19 pandemic had on global HIV prevention efforts?
What exactly is the "95-95-95" target proposed by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)?
What impact has the AIDS epidemic had on the economic and social structures of some countries?
What are the key indicators for evaluating the effectiveness of a country's HIV/AIDS prevention and control efforts?
What is the current global prevalence of HIV/AIDS? Which region is most severely affected?

Scientific Frontiers & Future Outlook

Focuses on scientific frontiers related to HIV, including virology research, the search for a cure, vaccine development, and future treatments.

Why is the HIV genome highly prone to mutation? What are the implications for treatment and vaccine development?
What type of infected individuals are referred to as "Elite Controllers"? What are the special characteristics of their bodies?
What are the differences in disease progression between 'rapid progressors' and 'long-term non-progressors'?
What are the main strategies scientists are pursuing for 'functional cures' and 'sterilizing cures'? (e.g., 'kick and kill', 'gene editing')
For HIV-positive partners (serodiscordant or seroconcordant) desiring to conceive, what safe assisted reproductive options are available?
Looking ahead, how far are we from ending AIDS as a global public health threat? What are the greatest hopes and challenges?
What insights can the cases of "The Berlin Patient" and "The London Patient" offer for HIV cure research?
Why is it so difficult to develop an effective preventive HIV vaccine, and what is the current progress in research?

Other

Contains a specific question that could not be categorized into the main sections above.

Is Oral Health Related to HIV Prevention?