Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome(AIDS)

AIDS:

AIDS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, was first recognized in the USA in 1981.

The causative agent of AIDS is a virus named HIV. It is an abbreviation for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It has been detected in body fluids like blood, semen, saliva, tears and urine. HIV affects the immune system of the body and destroys the white blood cells (WBCs). White blood cells are responsible for fighting against infections. Gradually the body loses its ability to fight against infections and is at risk for serious infections and certain cancers which can even lead to death.

AIDS is the last stage of injection with HIV. Everyone affected with HIV don’t develop AIDS.

The incubation period i.e. the time between the receiving the infection and the appearance of symptoms may be 10-12 years or more. During this period a person, if diagnosed with HIV are called HIV-positive.

When HIV infects a cell, it combines with that cell’s genetic material and may lie inactive for years. Most people infected with HIV are still healthy and can live for several years with no symptoms and only minor illness. They are infected with HIV but they do not have AIDS. Such persons, may transmit HIV to a healthy person.

Most individuals, when AIDS is fully developed, die within 3 years from other infections or cancers. Symptoms during this period may include swollen lymph nodes, fever, night sweats, and weight loss.

Transmission of AIDS:

HIV is highly infective. It is transmitted by any one of the following:

1.    Sexual Intercourse between a man and a woman, when any one of the two are HIV-positive. The virus finds its way through the reproductive passages. Prostitution is the biggest source of spreading AIDS. Safest is the single partnership of wife-and-husband relationship.

Homosexual intercourse, anal sex, with infected person can also spread AIDS. It’s more common in homosexual males.

2.    Contaminated blood transfusion: In some cases the individual may require blood transfusion as in excessive blood loss during accidents or surgery. Some children are born with thalassemia, defective hemoglobin in blood. They require regular blood transfusion every month. Usually blood is transfused from professional donors. Such children are at higher risk in acquiring AIDS.

3.    Mother to child transmission: During pregnancy, if the mother is found to be HIV-positive, the virus may cross the placenta and infect the baby in the uterus. In such cases, the baby born may be HIV-positive.

4.    Injection Needles: Needles when shared with more than one person may introduce the virus from one person to another. This is more common in drug abusers who use the same needle again and again. For the same, hospitals now use disposable syringes which can be only once.

Stages of HIV Infection:

There are three stages in which HIV infection progresses:

1.    Stage 1: Acute HIV Infection: Since the incubation period of AIDS varies from to person to person. Some people do not develop the symptoms after they are infected, while others may have signs in about one month after being infected, referred to as acute HIV infection.

In this stage, the individual develops common symptoms that are similar to any other common infection like fever, headache, and ulcers in mouth; weakness, weight loss, appetite loss, rash, nausea, sore throat and swollen lymph nodes.

These symptoms disappear within few days or weeks just like any other disease.

2.    Stage 2: Clinical Latency Stage (HIV Dormancy): After acute infection, the virus seems to be dormant, and the person completely normal. This stage may last 10-12 years, but it varies from person to person depending upon the strains of HIV.

During this period, the virus multiplies actively. It infects and kills the germ fighting White Blood Cells (WBCs). Though the person don’t have any symptoms of the disease, but at this stage they are contagious and can spread the virus through the transmission modes as described earlier. Gradually the HIV virus count increases and WBC count reduces. As this happens, the person now reaches the vulnerable stage, the final stage of HIV infection, AIDS.

3.    Stage 3: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome: AIDS is the last stage of HIV infection, when the WBCs count falls enough low, i.e. under 500 cell/mL of blood, an infected person is said to have AIDS. Sometimes the diagnosis of AIDS is done when a person has unusual infection or cancers that shows how weak their immune system is.

The infections that occur with AIDS take advantage of the weak immune system of the body. Hence they called opportunistic infections, i.e. they take the opportunity of the weakened host.

Symptoms of HIV:

The symptoms of HIV vary from person to person. There are no specific symptoms of HIV. It’s like any other common disease. Some of them are:

1.     Recurrent fever.

2.     Fatigue

3.     Nausea

4.     Night sweats

5.     Rapid weight loss

6.      Anxiety

7.     Depression

8.     Bumps or rashes of skin

9.     Lesions of mouth, genitals or anus

10.                        Neurological problems such as memory loss or confusion

HIV Prevention:

There is no cure of AIDS. Medications available for AIDS cannot cure it, but can only increase the life span of the individual for few years. So the best way to stay safe is prevention.

AIDS can prevented by:

1.    Safe sex: This is the most common way through which AIDS is spread. Prostitution is the biggest cause of AIDS. The best way for prevention is:

a.     Get test for HIV: Knowing your partner’s HIV status before getting involved in sexual intercourse is the most important step towards preventing AIDS.

b.    Getting test for other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs): If HIV test results positive, then they should get test for other STDs. Having an STD, increases the chance of HIV infection.

c.     Use condoms: There should be correct use of condom each and every time, irrespective of vaginal or anal sex. It should be kept in mind that pre-ejaculation fluids may contain HIV.

d.    Sexual Partners: Sexual intercourse with multiple partners should be avoided. Maintaining single relationship can reduce the risk of AIDS.

e.     Medications: If an individual is diagnosed with HIV-positive, he/she should consult doctor immediately and take proper prescribed medical help. If diagnosed during first stage there is a possibility to get back to normal life and it also reduces transmitting the infection to their partner.

2.    Avoid sharing of needles: One should avoid the use of contaminated needles. Use of disposable syringes lowers the risk of HIV.

3.    Tests during pregnancy: During pregnancy, it’s essential for the mother as well as the baby to undergo certain tests. The mother should get test for HIV in the very first month of gestation period. If found HIV-positive during the first month, certain medication can help the baby to stay safe.

Tests for HIV:

1.     Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Enzyme Immuno Assay (ELISA / EIA)

2.     Radio Immuno Precipitation Assay / Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Assay (RIP / IFA)

3.     Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

4.     Western Blot Confirmatory Test

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