Profile
Settings
Refer your friends
Sign out
AIDS was first recognised in the 1980s. AIDS was a new, highly contagious condition with a high fatality rate. These characteristics prompted the thorough investigations into AIDS to understand the syndrome and, possibly, get a cure. Further studies uncovered that AIDS was caused by an infectious agent known as HIV. Furthermore, AIDS is an advanced stage of HIV infection. Therefore, AIDS can best be described as a chronic, life-threatening syndrome caused by the progression of HIV infection that leads to the advanced deterioration of the immune system, increasing the patient’s susceptibility to opportunistic infections. This article explores the symptoms, spread, and treatment of HIV/AIDS.
What is HIV/AIDS?
Human Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV) is a blood-borne virus caused by infection with retroviruses HIV-1 or HIV-2. HIV weakens the body’s immune function by destroying CD4 T lymphocytes, which coordinate the functions of other immune cells to fight infection. Further deterioration of immune cells leads to AIDS, increasing the risk of contracting opportunistic infections.
AIDS is also referred to as late-stage HIV or advanced HIV infection. For a definitive diagnosis of AIDS, a person living with HIV must have a CD4 count of fewer than 200 cells/mm3 whether or not they have an AIDS-defining condition. AIDS manifests as recurrent, severe, potentially life-threatening infections and opportunistic diseases.
How does HIV/AIDS spread?
For infection to occur, an infected person’s blood, semen, or vaginal secretions must enter your body. Infection can occur in several scenarios, including having unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected person, sharing contaminated needles and syringes, and through blood transfusions. Mother-to-child transmissions can happen during pregnancy, delivery, and breastfeeding.
It is paramount to acknowledge how HIV is not spread. HIV is not spread through ordinary contact such as hugging, kissing, or shaking hands. It is also not air-borne, water-borne, or vector-borne.
Furthermore, some risk factors increase the chances of HIV infection. These include having unprotected sex, having multiple sexual partners, having an STI, and sharing needles and syringes. Anyone can get HIV regardless of age, race, sex, or sexual orientation.
HIV/AIDS signs and symptoms.
HIV patients present various signs and symptoms depending on the stage of infection. Possible symptoms include:
Persistent Fever
Skin rashes
Generalised lymphadenopathy
Chronic diarrhoea
Weakness and fatigue
Weight loss
Oral lesions and white spots
These symptoms cannot prove that a person has HIV/AIDS. The only way to confirm HIV infection is by testing.
HIV/AIDS stages.
Stage 1: Acute HIV or Primary infection.
Some people have flu-like symptoms two to four weeks after initial infection. This stage is characterised by acute seroconversion, whereby the immune system produces antibodies against the virus and manifests as a flu-like illness, fever, weakness, and a rash. During this period, HIV replicates quickly, and the viral load is very high, increasing the chances of HIV/AIDS transmission.
Stage 2: Chronic HIV or Clinical latent infection.
This stage is also the asymptomatic stage, as many people may not display symptoms. Chronic HIV lasts for a long time without detection. Many infected people remain unaware of their
infection until they take the HIV test.
Stage 3: Symptomatic HIV infection.
Over time, the virus replicates and damages the immune system, leading to mild and chronic symptoms.
Stage 4: AIDS or Progression to AIDS.
HIV infection is severe at this stage, and the person is considered immuno compromised. The development of AIDS usually takes an average of eight to ten years. Doctors consider the viral load, the CD4 count, and the presence of opportunistic infections to achieve an AIDS diagnosis.
Factors such as general health, lifestyle, and diet influence each stage’s progression, duration, and bodily effect. Moreover, some HIV patients may not experience all stages. There are various effective treatments to manage symptoms and prevent AIDS. Some HIV patients, known as long-term non-progressors, do not develop AIDS despite a lack of medical intervention.
Treatment and prevention
There is no HIV vaccine or AIDS cure despite extensive research and advanced technology. However, there is treatment aimed at managing symptoms and obstructing the progression of HIV in the body. Furthermore, many health organisations encourage people to take preventive measures against HIV/AIDS.
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the main treatment recommended to infected persons to reduce morbidity and mortality. ART administration starts immediately after diagnosis to improve the rate of viral suppression. ART provision involves patient education on its benefits and strategies for optimised care and treatment regimens. ART is prioritised in patients with AIDS-defining conditions, primary infection, and pregnancy.
Preventive measures include avoiding high-risk behaviours, using water-based condoms, and never sharing needles. In case of a positive diagnosis, the infected party should inform their sexual partner to get tested. HIV-positive pregnant women should get medical care to minimise the risk to the baby.
The modern understanding of AIDS greatly surpasses the general terminology used in the 1980s due to advanced technology and extensive research. Currently, scientists are working to develop a cure using mRNA technology. The adoption of preventive measures in our daily lives is the best way to deal with the spread of HIV today. Furthermore, comprehension about the spread of AIDS is implemented in prevention campaigns and hospital protocols. In hospitals, blood is screened before transfusion to test it for HIV/AIDS. Long gone are the days when AIDS was a mysterious, fatal illness. Modern, effective treatments enable most infected people to lead long, healthy lives.
