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What is HIV/AIDS?
HIV is the virus which attacks the T-cells in the immune system.
AIDS is the syndrome which appears in advanced stages of HIV infection.
HIV is a virus.
AIDS is a medical condition.
HIV infection causes AIDS to develop. However, it is possible to be infected with HIV without developing AIDS. Without treatment, the HIV infection is allowed to progress and eventually it will develop into AIDS in the vast majority of cases.
HIV testing can identify infection in the early stages. This allows the patient to use prophylactic (preventive) drugs which will slow the rate at which the virus replicates, delaying the onset of AIDS.
AIDS patients still have the HIV virus and are still infectious. Someone with AIDS can pass HIV to someone else.
Causes of HIV/AIDS
HIV is a retrovirus that infects the vital organs of the human immune system. The virus progresses in the absence of antiretroviral therapy. The rate of virus progression varies widely between individuals and depends on many factors (age of the patient, body’s ability to defend against HIV, access to health care, existence of coexisting infections, the infected person’s genetic inheritance, resistance to certain strains of HIV).
HIV can be transmitted through:
Sexual transmission. It can happen when there is contact with infected sexual secretions (rectal, genital or oral mucous membranes). This can happen while having unprotected sex, including vaginal, oral and anal sex or sharing sex toys with someone infected with HIV.
Perinatal transmission. The mother can pass the infection on to her child during childbirth, pregnancy, and also through breastfeeding.
Blood transmission. The risk of transmitting HIV through blood transfusion is nowadays extremely low in developed countries, thanks to meticulous screening and precautions. Among drug users, sharing and reusing syringes contaminated with HIV-infected blood is extremely hazardous.Thanks to strict protection procedures the risk of accidental infection for healthcare workers is low.Individuals who give and receive tattoos and piercings are also at risk and should be very careful.
Common Myths About HIV and AIDS
There are many misconceptions about HIV and AIDS. The virus CANNOT be transmitted from:
shaking hands
hugging
casual kissing
sneezing
touching unbroken skin
using the same toilet
sharing towels
sharing cutlery
mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
or other forms of “casual contact”
Symptoms of HIV and AIDS
What is the difference between a sign and a symptom? A sign is something other people, apart from the
patient can detect, such as a swelling, rash, or change in skin color. A symptom is something only the patient feels and describes, such as a headache, fatigue, or dizziness.
For the most part, the symptoms of HIV are the result of infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. These conditions do not normally develop in individuals with healthy immune systems, which protect the body against infection.
Symptoms of early HIV infection
Many people with HIV have no symptoms for several years. Others may develop symptoms similar to flu, usually two to six weeks after catching the virus. The symptoms can last up to four weeks.
Symptoms of early HIV infection may include:
fever
chills
joint pain
muscle ache
sore throat
sweats (particularly at night)
enlarged glands
a red rash
tiredness
weakness
weight loss
Asymptomatic HIV infection
In many cases, after the initial symptoms disappear, there will not be any further symptoms for many years. During this time, the virus carries on developing and damages the immune system. This process can take up to 10 years. The infected person will experience no symptoms, feel well and appear healthy.
Late-stage HIV infection
If left untreated, HIV weakens the ability to fight infection. The person becomes vulnerable to serious illnesses. This stage of infection is known as AIDS.
Symptoms of late-stage HIV infection may include:
blurred vision
diarrhea, which is usually persistent or chronic
dry cough
fever of above 37C (100F) lasting for weeks
night sweats
permanent tiredness
shortness of breath
swollen glands lasting for weeks
weight loss
white spots on the tongue or mouth
During late-stage HIV infection, the risk of developing a life-threatening illness is much greater. Examples include:
esophagitis (an inflammation of the lining of the lower end of the esophagus)
infections to the nervous system (acute aseptic meningitis, subacute encephalitis, peripheral neuropathy)
pneumonia
some cancers, such as Kaposi’s sarcoma, invasive cervical cancer, lung cancer, rectal carcinomas, hepatocellular carcinomas, head and neck cancers, cancers of the immune system known as lymphomas
toxoplasmosis (a disease caused by a parasite that infects the brain. It can also cause disease in the eyes and lungs)
tuberculosis
Life-threatening illnesses may be controlled and treated with proper HIV treatment.
Diagnosis of HIV/AIDS
A 2011 report issued by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), USA, found that about 1 in every 5 HIV-positive Americans is unaware of their HIV-status, and only 49% of those who are aware receive ongoing medical care and treatment.
Blood test
Diagnosis is made through a blood test that screens specifically for the virus.
If the HIV virus has been found, the test result is “positive”. The blood is re-tested several times before a positive result is given to the patient.
For those whose tests came back positive, they will be asked to undergo some other tests to see how the infection has progressed, and also to decide when to start treatment.
If a person has been exposed to the virus, it is crucial that they get tested as soon as possible. The earlier HIV is detected, the more likely the treatment will be successful. Also, precautions can be taken to prevent the virus from spreading to other people.
After infection with HIV, it can take up from three weeks to three months for the virus to show up in testing. Re- testing may be necessary.
If a patient’s most at risk moment of becoming HIV infected was within the last three months, he/she can have the test immediately. However, a good doctor will urge that another test be carried out within a few weeks.
Ultra-sensitive HIV sensor
Scientists from Imperial College London reported in Nature Nanotechnology (October 2012 issue) that they have developed an extremely sensitive sensor that detects viral infections, including HIV. They say the sensor is ten times more sensitive at detecting an HIV biomarker that anything else on the market today; it is also extremely cheap. The doctor can see the results by looking at the color change in a liquid solution.
Treatments for HIV/AIDS
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The post What Is HIV/AIDS? Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatments appeared first on Human N Health.
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