Introduction to HIV/AIDS
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. If left
untreated, HIV can lead to the disease called AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome). Unlike some other viruses, the human body cannot get rid of HIV
completely. HIV attacks the body’s immune system, specifically the CD4 cells (T
cells), which help the immune system fight off infections. If left untreated,
HIV reduces the number of CD4 cells (T cells) in the body, making the person
more likely to get infections.
untreated, HIV can lead to the disease called AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome). Unlike some other viruses, the human body cannot get rid of HIV
completely. HIV attacks the body’s immune system, specifically the CD4 cells (T
cells), which help the immune system fight off infections. If left untreated,
HIV reduces the number of CD4 cells (T cells) in the body, making the person
more likely to get infections.
Over time, HIV can destroy so many of the CD4
cells to a level that the body cannot fight off infections and disease. These
opportunistic infections take advantage of a very weak immune system and signal
that the person has AIDS, the last state of HIV infection.
cells to a level that the body cannot fight off infections and disease. These
opportunistic infections take advantage of a very weak immune system and signal
that the person has AIDS, the last state of HIV infection.
AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome. AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection, and not everyone who has
HIV advances to this stage. AIDS is the stage of infection that occur when the
immune system is badly damaged and the infected person become vulnerable to opportunistic infections. This usually occurs when the number of
your CD4 cells falls below 200 cells per cubic millimeter of blood (200
cells/mm3), the individual is considered to have progressed to AIDS.
(Normal CD4 counts are between 500 and 1,600 cells/mm3.)
syndrome. AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection, and not everyone who has
HIV advances to this stage. AIDS is the stage of infection that occur when the
immune system is badly damaged and the infected person become vulnerable to opportunistic infections. This usually occurs when the number of
your CD4 cells falls below 200 cells per cubic millimeter of blood (200
cells/mm3), the individual is considered to have progressed to AIDS.
(Normal CD4 counts are between 500 and 1,600 cells/mm3.)
Signs and symptoms HIV/AIDS
The signs and symptoms of HIV/AIDS depends on the
stage of the disease. There are three main stages of HIV infection: acute
infection, clinical latency and AIDS.
stage of the disease. There are three main stages of HIV infection: acute
infection, clinical latency and AIDS.
Acute infection
stage
stage
The acute infection stage of HIV is the initial
period following the contraction of HIV. Many individuals develop an influenza-like illness 2–4
weeks post exposure while others have no significant symptoms. Symptoms occur
in 40–90% of cases and most commonly include fever, throat inflammation, a rash,
headache, and/or sores of the mouth and genitals. Some people also develop opportunistic infections at this
stage. The duration of the symptoms varies, but is usually one or two weeks.
period following the contraction of HIV. Many individuals develop an influenza-like illness 2–4
weeks post exposure while others have no significant symptoms. Symptoms occur
in 40–90% of cases and most commonly include fever, throat inflammation, a rash,
headache, and/or sores of the mouth and genitals. Some people also develop opportunistic infections at this
stage. The duration of the symptoms varies, but is usually one or two weeks.
Due to
their nonspecific character, these symptoms are
not often recognized as signs of HIV infection. Thus,
it is recommended that HIV be considered in people presenting an unexplained
fever who may have risk factors for the infection.
their nonspecific character, these symptoms are
not often recognized as signs of HIV infection. Thus,
it is recommended that HIV be considered in people presenting an unexplained
fever who may have risk factors for the infection.
Clinical latency
stage
stage
The initial symptoms are followed by a stage called
clinical latency or chronic HIV. Without treatment, this second stage of the natural history of HIV infection can last from
about three years to over 20 years (on average, about eight years). While
typically there are few or no symptoms at first, near the end of this stage
many people experience fever, weight loss, gastrointestinal problems and muscle
pains.
clinical latency or chronic HIV. Without treatment, this second stage of the natural history of HIV infection can last from
about three years to over 20 years (on average, about eight years). While
typically there are few or no symptoms at first, near the end of this stage
many people experience fever, weight loss, gastrointestinal problems and muscle
pains.
Acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome stage
syndrome stage
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) stage is
defined in terms of either a CD4+ T cell count below 200 cells or
the occurrence of specific diseases in association with an HIV infection. In
the absence of specific treatment, around half of people infected with HIV
develop AIDS within ten years.
defined in terms of either a CD4+ T cell count below 200 cells or
the occurrence of specific diseases in association with an HIV infection. 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 the person’s environment. These infections may
affect nearly every organ system.
Additionally, people with AIDS frequently have systemic symptoms such as
prolonged fevers, sweats
(particularly at night), swollen lymph nodes, chills, weakness, and unintended weight
loss. Diarrhoea is another common symptom, present in
about 90% of people with AIDS. They can also be affected by diverse psychiatric
and neurological symptoms independent of opportunistic infections and cancers.
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 the person’s environment. These infections may
affect nearly every organ system.
Additionally, people with AIDS frequently have systemic symptoms such as
prolonged fevers, sweats
(particularly at night), swollen lymph nodes, chills, weakness, and unintended weight
loss. Diarrhoea is another common symptom, present in
about 90% of people with AIDS. They can also be affected by diverse psychiatric
and neurological symptoms independent of opportunistic infections and cancers.
Means of transmission of HIV
HIV is transmitted by four main routes:
·
Sexual contact,
Sexual contact,
·
Exposure to infected body
fluids or tissues
Exposure to infected body
fluids or tissues
·
From mother to child
From mother to child
·
Sharing of hypodermic
needles
Sharing of hypodermic
needles
i.
Sexual contact
The most frequent mode of transmission of HIV is
through sexual contact with an infected person. The majority of all
transmissions worldwide occur through heterosexual contacts (i.e. sexual contacts between people
of the opposite sex). Risk of transmission increases in the presence of many sexually transmitted infections and genital
ulcers. Genital ulcers appear to
increase the risk approximately fivefold. Other sexually transmitted
infections, such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, and bacterial vaginosis, are associated with somewhat smaller increases in
risk of transmission.
through sexual contact with an infected person. The majority of all
transmissions worldwide occur through heterosexual contacts (i.e. sexual contacts between people
of the opposite sex). Risk of transmission increases in the presence of many sexually transmitted infections and genital
ulcers. Genital ulcers appear to
increase the risk approximately fivefold. Other sexually transmitted
infections, such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, and bacterial vaginosis, are associated with somewhat smaller increases in
risk of transmission.
ii.
Exposure to infected body fluids or tissues
Exposure to infected body fluids or tissues
The second most frequent mode of HIV
transmission is via blood and blood products. Blood-borne transmission can be
through needle-sharing during intravenous drug use, needle stick injury,
transfusion of contaminated blood or blood product, or medical injections with
unsterilised equipment.
transmission is via blood and blood products. Blood-borne transmission can be
through needle-sharing during intravenous drug use, needle stick injury,
transfusion of contaminated blood or blood product, or medical injections with
unsterilised equipment.
Unsafe medical injections play a significant
role in HIV spread in sub-Saharan Africa. Significant risks are also associated with
assisted delivery, dental care, people giving or receiving tattoos, piercings, and scarification are theoretically at risk of infection.
role in HIV spread in sub-Saharan Africa. Significant risks are also associated with
assisted delivery, dental care, people giving or receiving tattoos, piercings, and scarification are theoretically at risk of infection.
iii.
From mother-to-child
HIV can be transmitted from mother to child
during pregnancy, during delivery, or through breast milk resulting in
infection in the baby. This is the third most common way in which HIV is
transmitted globally. In the absence of treatment, the risk of transmission
before or during birth is around 20% and in those who also breastfeed 35%. With
appropriate treatment the risk of mother-to-child infection can be reduced to
about 1%. Preventive treatment involves the mother taking antiretrovirals
during pregnancy and delivery, an elective caesarean
section, avoiding breastfeeding,
and administering antiretroviral drugs to the newborn.
during pregnancy, during delivery, or through breast milk resulting in
infection in the baby. This is the third most common way in which HIV is
transmitted globally. In the absence of treatment, the risk of transmission
before or during birth is around 20% and in those who also breastfeed 35%. With
appropriate treatment the risk of mother-to-child infection can be reduced to
about 1%. Preventive treatment involves the mother taking antiretrovirals
during pregnancy and delivery, an elective caesarean
section, avoiding breastfeeding,
and administering antiretroviral drugs to the newborn.
iv Sharing of hypodermic needles
Sharing of hypodermic needles leads to the
spread of HIV/AIDS. At the start of every injection, blood is introduced into
the needle and syringe. Therefore, a needle and syringe that an HIV-positive
person has used can contain blood with the virus in it. Transmission occurs
when another person then uses the same syringe without sterilising it. The
reuse of a blood-contaminated needle or syringe by another person can be an
effective means of transmission because a large quantity of blood can be
injected directly into the bloodstream.
spread of HIV/AIDS. At the start of every injection, blood is introduced into
the needle and syringe. Therefore, a needle and syringe that an HIV-positive
person has used can contain blood with the virus in it. Transmission occurs
when another person then uses the same syringe without sterilising it. The
reuse of a blood-contaminated needle or syringe by another person can be an
effective means of transmission because a large quantity of blood can be
injected directly into the bloodstream.
HIV infection from blood can occur in other ways
as a result of injecting drug use:
as a result of injecting drug use:
- Through sharing water used to flush blood
out of a needle and syringe. - Through sharing syringes that have been
cleaned in a way that does not eliminate all the blood they contain. - Through reusing bottle caps, spoons or other
containers used to dissolve drugs in water and to heat drug solutions. - Through unsafe disposal of needles or
syringes used for injecting drugs, leading to accidents in which blood
gets into the body of another person.
Prevention of HIV/AIDS
Since
transmission of HIV occurs through different routes, the measures for its
prevention also depend on what an individual is trying to guide against. There
are several measures that an individual can take to protect him/herself against
and others from HIV/AIDS, these include:
transmission of HIV occurs through different routes, the measures for its
prevention also depend on what an individual is trying to guide against. There
are several measures that an individual can take to protect him/herself against
and others from HIV/AIDS, these include:
·
Abstinence: Simply choosing not to have sex can protect an individual from getting
infected with HIV which may result from sexual contact with an infected
individual.
Abstinence: Simply choosing not to have sex can protect an individual from getting
infected with HIV which may result from sexual contact with an infected
individual.
·
Practice safe sex: Consistent and correct use of safe sex materials such as male and
female condoms during sexual intercourse can help to transmission of HIV/AIDS.
Practice safe sex: Consistent and correct use of safe sex materials such as male and
female condoms during sexual intercourse can help to transmission of HIV/AIDS.
·
Fewer partners/monogamy: The fewer the number of sexual partners an
individual has reduces the risk of HIV infection.
Fewer partners/monogamy: The fewer the number of sexual partners an
individual has reduces the risk of HIV infection.
·
Needle exchange/sharp objects: Sharing of needles and others sharp
objects should be avoided to guide against transmission of HIV due to infected
sharp objects.
Needle exchange/sharp objects: Sharing of needles and others sharp
objects should be avoided to guide against transmission of HIV due to infected
sharp objects.
·
Prevention of mother to child transmission: Transmission of HIV from infected mother to an
unborn child through getting adequate profession health care services from a
qualified medical professional.
Prevention of mother to child transmission: Transmission of HIV from infected mother to an
unborn child through getting adequate profession health care services from a
qualified medical professional.
·
Infected mothers should avoid breastfeeding: HIV positive mothers should not breastfeed their children.
HIV can be transmitted from mother to child via breast milk.
Infected mothers should avoid breastfeeding: HIV positive mothers should not breastfeed their children.
HIV can be transmitted from mother to child via breast milk.
·
Getting tested: The only way to be sure of your HIV status is to get tested. If you
test negative, make effort to remain negative, but If you test positive, get
professional advice on how to manage the situation.
Getting tested: The only way to be sure of your HIV status is to get tested. If you
test negative, make effort to remain negative, but If you test positive, get
professional advice on how to manage the situation.
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