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Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
Definition:
AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. caused by the retrovirus HIV, resulting in a defect in cell-mediated immune response that is manifested by increased susceptibility to opportunistic infections and to certain rare cancers, especially Kaposi's sarcoma. It generally occurs when the CD4 count is below 200/mL and is characterized by the appearance of opportunistic infections. These are infections that take advantage of a weakened immune system. It is very easily transmitted by exposure to contaminated body fluids, especially blood and semen.
Causes
The main cause of AIDS is the HIV virus. It attacks and destroys certain types of cells that are part of the immune system and leaves the body vulnerable to a variety of life-threatening illnesses and cancers. The immune system consists of all those cells, tissues, and substances that protect the body from infection by foreign bodies, such as bacteria.
The human immune system is immensely complex and there are many ways in which it can be affected by a retrovirus such as HIV. Furthermore, it is also not clear what role (if any) other factors - known as co-factors - may play in the development of immune damage. HIV is a highly contagious virus, but the way of transferring of this virus is not the same as is measles or chicken pox. It spreads from one person to other through may other ways like:
- Through Sexual Contact - Including oral, vaginal, and anal sex.
- Blood to Blood Transfer - via blood transfusions (now extremely rare in the U.S) or needle sharing.
- From mother to child - Infected Pregnant women can pass HIV to their babies during pregnancy or delivery, as well as through breast feeding.
Symptoms
People suffering with HIV virus infection show different signs and symptoms as their infection progresses. Only a doctor can tell the exactly what are these signs and symptoms conveying. At first, many people with HIV have flu-like symptoms, followed by a period of no symptoms at all. The symptoms of AIDS are primarily the result of infections that do not normally develop in individuals with healthy immune systems. These are called "opportunistic infections."
Some of the Common Symptoms of AIDS may be:
- fever.
- coughing and shortness of breath.
- diarrhea.
- skin rashes.
- night sweats.
- loss of appetite.
- swollen lymph glands.
- whitish coating on the tongue, throat or vagina.
- significant weight loss.
- people may have difficulty in swallowing.
- seizures and lack of coordination.
- vomiting.
- abdominal pain.
- extreme fatigue.
- white spots in the mouth or vaginal discharge (signs of yeast infection).
- a marked change in an illness pattern, either in frequency, severity, or length of sickness.
- sore throat.
- loss of muscle strength.
- mental symptoms such as confusion and forgetfulness.
- severe headaches.
- appearance of one or more purple spots on the surface of the skin, inside the mouth, anus or nasal passages.
In some other Severe cases there may also be:
- Vision Loss.
- Coma.
Treatment for AIDS (Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome)
There is no cure for AIDS as such - so the only thing we can do is - prevent it from occuring. Combinations of antiviral drugs and drugs that boost the immune system have allowed many people with HIV to resist infections, stay healthy, and prolong their lives, but these medications are not a cure. Right now there is no vaccine to prevent HIV and AIDS, though reaserches are going on.
Primary therapy for HIV infection includes three different types of antiretroviral agents:
- Protease inhibitors (PIs), such as amprenavir, ritonavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, and saquinavir.
- Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), such as zidovudine, didanosine, zalcitabine, lamivudine, abacavir, or stavudine.
- Non-Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), such as efavirenz, nevirapine or delavirdine.
Prevention of AIDS
Some of the prevention tips to stop AIDS from occuring:
- Avoid any type of sex with multiple sex partners.
- During sexual intercource - use condom. It is a must.
- Treat sexually transmitted diseases promptly.
- HIV positive women should not get pregnant.
- Always use disinfected and disposable needles and syringes.
- Do not share / re-use needles during tatooing.
- Avoid sharing razors with others in a saloon.
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