AIDS / HIV
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Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a chronic infection caused by HIV-1 or HIV-2, which causes a gradual deterioration of immune function by specifically targeting CD4 T-Helper cells. CD4 T-Helper cells are used by the body to help fight infection and are crucial in the immune response. AIDS was discovered in 1981 and has killed over 25 million people worldwide since that time.
This virus is spread by contact with HIV containing fluids of an infected person. Some of these methods of transmission include sexual intercourse with an infected partner, through contact with infected blood such as sharing needles or blood transfusions, through breast milk, and from mother to child during childbirth. The chances of transmission increase through sexual contact when the partner has an STD, because of open lesions that ease the entry of the HIV virus into the body. STDs may also increase the chances of infection due to immune cells in the mucosa of the genital tract that can carry the virus to local lymph nodes, and spread the infection.
Once a person has been infected with the HIV virus there are typically three stages that are seen. First is the sign of acute infection, where symptoms can be fevers, weight loss, diarrhea, night sweats, and fatigue. Many times this illness is thought to be influenza or a common virus. It is unusual for doctors to immediately identify these symptoms as an HIV infection.
The HIV virus can lie dormant for up to 20 years after the acute infection, although the person still is able to spread the disease. During this phase, called the latent phase, a person might experience some vague symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes, but often they have no detectable signs of the disease. Because of this, safe sex practices and testing for at-risk individuals is crucial.
Once the infected person’s CD4 T-Cell count drops below 200, the person is considered to have the actual disease of AIDS. Their immune system is no longer able to function normally and they are susceptible to illnesses called opportunistic infections. Many of these illnesses would cause minor discomfort in an individual with a healthy immune system, but because the AIDS patient is not able to fight them off, they become overwhelming. Some examples of these infections include the common cold and candidiasis, or yeast infections. A type of pneumonia caused by fungus is also very typical for an AIDS patient to acquire.
The prognosis for a person found to have an HIV infection is rapidly improving as modern medical advances have discovered treatments that are effective in holding off development of AIDS. There is no cure for AIDS, but there are medications such as antiretrovirals, reverse transcriptase inhibitors, and protease inhibitors. These medications are able to slow the development of the disease so the infected person is able to live a longer period without uncomfortable symptoms.
HIV is a preventable disease that has killed millions worldwide. Because of medical advances there are more options to prolong the life of an infected person, but the best treatment is to avoid any situations that can transmit the virus. This includes safe sex, not sharing needles, and always using gloves and protective equipment around blood. It is important to always take precautions to avoid contracting HIV.
