AIDS, HIV

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AIDS / HIV: what they are

HIV is a virus that attacks T cells (CD4 cells) in the immune system. AIDS is a syndrome that occurs in the advanced stages of infection.

HIV (HIV in some sources) is a virus.

AIDS is a health condition.

Infection with the virus can lead to the development of AIDS. However, HIV infection does not always lead to the development of immunodeficiency syndrome. Without treatment, HIV infection can develop and eventually turn into AIDS in most cases. After that, a person will always carry it in their medical history.

Causes of disease development

HIV is a retrovirus that infects human immune cells and vital organs.

HIV can be transmitted from one person to another through blood or sexual contact. The virus develops in the absence of antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART slows or prevents the growth of the human immunodeficiency virus.

The rate of virus development is common among humans and depends on many factors. These factors include:

• Age of the patient;
• The body's ability to protect itself from HIV;
• Availability of drugs;
• Presence of other infections;
• Genetic diseases of the sick person;
• Protection against certain strains of the virus.

How HIV is transmitted

Sexually Transmitted Infections - This can occur when you come in contact with infected sexual fluids (oral, rectal, genital, or mucous membranes). This can happen during unprotected sex such as vaginal, oral and anal.

Perinatal transmission - the mother can transmit the infection to the baby during childbirth, during pregnancy, as well as during breastfeeding.

Blood Transfusion - The risk of HIV infection through blood transfusion is currently very low in developed countries due to very careful screening and precautions. However, the risk of infection is very high as a result of drug users or reuse of syringes contaminated with the patient’s blood.

Symptoms of AIDS

In many cases, the symptoms of AIDS (AIDS) are caused by the development of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and / or parasites. These conditions usually do not develop in people who have a healthy immune system that protects the body from infection.

Early symptoms

In many people living with HIV, the signs and symptoms of AIDS go unnoticed for months or even years. Others may develop flu- and flu-like symptoms, which are usually seen 2-6 weeks after the virus is infected.

The first symptoms of the disease may include:

• Fever;
• Varaja to do;
• Pain in the joints;
• Muscle pain;
• Sore throat;
• Sweating (especially at night);
• Enlargement of the glands;
• Red rash rash;
• Fatigue;
• Weakness;
• Weight loss.

Asymptomatic (without symptoms)

In most cases, no additional symptoms of the disease are observed for many years after the initial symptoms of AIDS have disappeared.

During this time, the virus develops and continues to damage the immune system and body organs. Without anti-HIV replication drugs, this process can take up to 10 years on average. An infected person usually has no symptoms, he feels well and looks healthy.

Symptoms observed in advanced (final) stages

If the patient is not treated, HIV weakens a person’s ability to fight infections. The human body cannot fight serious diseases. Even a simple cold can be very severe. This stage is called AIDS.

Recent symptoms of HIV infection may include:

• Blurred vision;
• Diarrhea is usually persistent or chronic;
• Dry cough;
• Temperatures rise above 37 ° C for several weeks;
• Evening sweating;
• Regular fatigue;
• Shortness of breath;
• Enlargement of the glands lasting several weeks;
• Weight loss;
• Occurrence of white rashes on the tongue or mouth.

In the later stages of HIV infection, the risk of developing life-threatening diseases is much higher. Usually life-threatening diseases can be managed, prevented and treated with appropriate medications, in addition to the drugs needed to treat the virus.

Myths and facts about the disease

There are many misconceptions about HIV and AIDS. The virus is not transmitted in the following cases:

• Shaking hands;
• Hugs;
• Daily kisses (if there are no sores in the mouth);
• Accentuation;
• Skin contact;
• Using towels together;
• Household items (spoons, bowls, bowls, etc.).

Diagnosis

CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) reports that one in eight Americans living with HIV is unaware of their condition.

Blood sample analysis for virus and its results

Diagnosis is made using a blood test that clearly shows the presence of the virus. If a virus is found, the test result will be “positive”. The blood is re-tested several times until the patient is informed that the disease is present.

If someone is infected with the virus, it is very important that they get tested as soon as possible. The sooner HIV is detected, the more likely it is that treatment will be successful. You can also use a test tool that can be done at home.

Once infected, it can take 3 weeks to 6 months for the virus to test positive. It may need to be retested. However, the doctor will require the test to be repeated a few weeks later.

Treatment of AIDS

There is currently no cure for HIV or AIDS. Available treatments can slow the progression of the disease and allow most people to live longer and relatively healthy lives.

Antiretroviral treatment is very important when the infection is detected at an early stage - it improves quality of life, prolongs life expectancy. It also reduces the risk of infection in accordance with the guidelines of the World Health Organization, published in June 2013.

No vaccine or drug has been developed against this infection to date, but treatment methods have improved significantly in recent years. One tablet taken daily can significantly improve the health and quality of life of patients.

Emergency pills (postoperative prophylaxis)

If a person is convinced that he or she has been infected with the virus in the last 72 hours (3 days), an anti-HIV drug called PEP [postal [postcontact] prevention) can stop the development of the disease. Treatment should be taken as soon as possible after infection with the virus.

PEP is a very difficult method of treatment that lasts 4 weeks, only 28 days. This can lead to unpleasant side effects (diarrhea, nausea and headaches).

Once a positive diagnosis of HIV has been made, regular blood tests should be performed to monitor the development of the virus before starting treatment. Therapy has many advantages and is aimed at reducing the level of the virus in the blood.

Antiretroviral drugs

HIV is treated with antiretroviral (ARV) drugs. The drugs fight infection and slow down the spread of the virus in the body. Typically, patients receive combination therapy such as YSART (highly effective antiretroviral therapy) or KART (combination antiretroviral therapy).

Combination drugs are suitable for everyone. Control of the disease is usually permanent and lasts a lifetime. HIV treatment is based on the usual dose. Tablets should be taken on a regular basis each time. Each type of ARV has different side effects, but some common side effects include nausea, fatigue, diarrhea, headache, skin rash, or blurred vision. may contain.

Complementary or alternative medicine

According to some limited research, alternative medicines such as herbal medicines have not been used effectively, but minerals or vitamins have a good effect on overall health. Patients are advised to discuss these methods with their physicians.

Prevention

To prevent the spread of the virus, health professionals recommend the following measures:

Unprotected sex - sex without a condom - increases the risk of contracting sexually transmitted HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. The disease can be spread through unprotected sex (vaginal, oral and / or anal).

Drug and needle exchange is one of the leading causes of HIV infection in developed countries using intravenous (intravenous) drugs. Sharing needles can lead to other dangerous viral diseases such as AIDS and hepatitis C. If someone is to use a needle, it must be a clean, unused, unopened needle.

Effects on the body - HIV can be controlled by taking precautions to reduce and prevent the risk of exposure to infected blood. In any case, health workers should use barriers (gloves, masks, goggles, shields, and gowns). Washing the skin quickly and thoroughly immediately after contact with blood or other body fluids reduces the likelihood of infection.

Pregnancy - Some ARVs can harm an unborn baby. However, an effective treatment plan prevents mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Precautions should be taken to protect the health of the child. Cesarean section may be required. Mothers infected with this virus should not breastfeed their children.

Education - Health education is important in explaining to people the ways in which the disease is transmitted and the risk factors for getting the name of the disease.

HIV control

Persistence - Treatment of AIDS is only effective when medications are taken in a timely manner. Even the absence of multiple doses can jeopardize treatment. The daily methodical program should be programmed to fit the treatment plan around the patient’s lifestyle and routine. A treatment plan for one person cannot be a treatment plan for another.

General health - it is important that patients take medication correctly and take precautions to avoid other illnesses (e.g. not staying in the cold for long periods of time). Patients should strive to improve their overall health and exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, do not smoke, do not drink alcohol, and reduce their risk of disease.

Additional Precautions - People living with HIV should try to prevent them from contracting other diseases. They should be careful of animals and avoid contact with cats and animal feces, as well as birds. Thorough and regular hand washing is recommended.

Long-term condition is a long-term condition of this syndrome, so patients should be in constant contact with their health care team. The treatment plan is reviewed regularly.

Psychologically - there has been a decline in common misconceptions about the virus and the immune deficiency syndrome it causes. However, in many countries around the world, this situation persists. People infected with the virus may feel limited, rejected, and discriminated against. In this case, the help of a psychologist is very important.