HIV in Vietnam

Introduction

Nowadays, more and more people are living with HIV, and it has become a serious epidemic in Vietnam. The disease is spreading rapidly from its core population of intravenous drug users, and one of the chief barriers to prevention and treatment is the stigma that ostracizes those who carry the virus. This stigma not only affects individuals' mental health but also discourages them from seeking necessary medical care and support.

HIV in Vietnam

A report shows that one-third of all people in Vietnam are living with HIV. Some municipalities and villages report HIV prevalence over 10 times higher than the national average, especially in areas that are mountainous, remote, and inhabited by ethnic minorities, where people still have limited knowledge and services do not yet adequately address needs (UNAIDS, 2013). In Vietnam, the epidemic remains concentrated in so-called key population groups: people who inject drugs (PWID, 22% in 2013), men who have sex with men (2.4%), and female sex workers (5.3%). The proportion of women living with HIV has been steadily increasing over the years. Most of the people reported to be living with HIV in 2013 (79%) were between 20 and 39 years old (UNAIDS, 2013).

Symptoms and Progression of HIV

Most people infected with HIV experience a short, flu-like illness that occurs 2-6 weeks after infection. The symptoms of HIV vary depending on the stage of infection. Although people living with HIV tend to be most infectious in the first few months, many are unaware of their status until later stages. In the first few weeks after initial infection, individuals may experience no symptoms or an influenza-like illness including fever, headache, rash, or sore throat. After this, HIV may not cause any symptoms for several years. During this time, the virus continues to be active and causes progressive damage to the immune system. As the infection progresses and weakens the immune system, an individual can develop other signs and symptoms, such as swollen lymph nodes, weight loss, fever, diarrhea, and cough. Without treatment, they could also develop severe illnesses such as tuberculosis, cryptococcal meningitis, severe bacterial infections, and cancers (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d.).

Stages of HIV Infection

Acute HIV Infection

The first stage is Acute HIV infection, which is the earliest stage of HIV infection and generally develops within 2 to 4 weeks after a person is infected with HIV. During this time, some people have flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache, and rash. In the acute stage of infection, HIV multiplies rapidly and spreads throughout the body. However, some people also develop opportunistic infections at this stage. Due to their nonspecific character, these symptoms are not often recognized as indicative of HIV infection. During the acute HIV infection stage, the level of HIV in the blood is very high, which greatly increases the risk of HIV transmission (CDC, n.d.).

Chronic HIV Infection

The second stage is Chronic HIV Infection. During this stage of the disease, HIV continues to multiply in the body but at very low levels. People with chronic HIV infection may not have any HIV-related symptoms, but they can still spread HIV to others. Scientists have noted that without treatment with HIV medicines, chronic HIV infection usually advances to AIDS in 10 years or longer, though it may take less time for some people (CDC, n.d.).

AIDS

The last stage is AIDS, which is the most severe stage of HIV infection. Because HIV has severely damaged the immune system, the body can’t fight off opportunistic infections. People with HIV are diagnosed with AIDS if they have a CD4 count of less than 200 cells/mm³ or if they have certain opportunistic infections (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d.). In the absence of specific treatment, around half of people infected with HIV develop AIDS within ten years. Opportunistic infections may be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites that are normally controlled by the immune system. Which infections occur depends partly on what organisms are common in a person’s environment; these infections may affect nearly every organ system.

Conclusion

Addressing the HIV epidemic in Vietnam requires comprehensive strategies that include education, access to medical care, and the reduction of stigma. It is imperative to improve awareness among the general population and provide targeted interventions for key populations. By doing so, Vietnam can better control the spread of HIV and provide adequate care for those affected by the virus.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). HIV Basics. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/index.html

UNAIDS. (2013). HIV/AIDS Estimates. Retrieved from https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/documents

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). HIV/AIDS. Retrieved from https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/overview/about-hiv-and-aids