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AIDS

Medical Questions » AIDS
Name: AIDS
Also known as: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome; Human Immunodeficiency Virus [HIV] Infection
An infection caused by a retrovirus known as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) which destroys the body' s defense mechanisms and allows severe infections and cancers to develop. It is spread by the transfer of blood and semen from one person to another. First identified in 1983, it was initially only a disease of homosexuals and drug addicts, but although these remain the most affected groups in developed countries, it is promiscuous heterosexual contact that is the most common method of transmission in poorer countries. Those who are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus are said to be HIV positive. The disease has been classified into several categories. A patient can progress to a more severe category but cannot revert to a less severe one.
Causes of AIDS
AIDS is a relatively hard disease to catch. It can NOT be caught from any casual contact, or from spa baths, kissing, mosquitoes, tears, towels or clothing. Only by homosexual or heterosexual intercourse with a carrier of the disease, by using contaminated needles, or blood from a carrier, can the disease be caught. If someone does come into sexual or blood contact with an AIDS carrier, it is possible for the virus to cross into their body. The body' s defense mechanisms may then fight off the virus and leave the person with no illness whatsoever, or the AIDS virus may spread throughout the body to cause an HIV infection. In 1996 there were 22 million people in the world with an HIV infection, 14 million of them in Africa. There are 6.5 million deaths every year from AIDS. The incidence varies from 2 in every 100,000 people in China, to 115 in Australia, 2100 in Thailand and 20,000 in Uganda (the world' s highest rate).
Symptoms of AIDS
Once the HIV virus enters the body it may lie dormant for months or years. During this time there may be no or minimal symptoms, but it may be possible to pass the infection on to another sex partner, and babies may become infected in the uterus of an infected mother. HIV category 1 — a glandular fever-like disease that lasts a few days to weeks with inflamed lymph nodes, fever, rash and tiredness. HIV category 2 — no symptoms. HIV category 3 — persistent generalized enlargement of lymph nodes. HIV category 4 (AIDS) — varied symptoms and signs depending on the areas of the body affected. May include fever, weight loss, diarrhea, nerve and brain disorders, severe infections, lymph node cancer, sarcomas, and other cancers.
Tests for AIDS
Blood tests are positive at all stages of HIV infection, but there may be a lag period of up to three months or more from when the disease is caught until it can be detected. Tests are available to allow blood banks to screen for AIDS.
Treatment for AIDS
There is no cure or vaccine available at present. Prevention is the only practical way to deal with AIDS. Condoms give good, but not total, protection from sexually catching the virus, and drug addicts may be educated not to share needles. Once diagnosed as HIV positive patients should not give up hope, because they may remain in the second stage for many years. Prolonging this stage can be achieved by the regular long term use of potent antiviral and immunosupportive medications, stopping smoking, exercising regularly, eating a well-balanced diet, resting adequately and avoiding illegal drugs.
Complications of AIDS of its treatment
In stage 4 patients are very susceptible to any type of infection or cancer from the common cold to pneumonia, septicemia and multiple rare cancers (eg. Kaposi' s sarcoma) because the body' s immune system is destroyed by the virus.
Likely Outcome of AIDS
May remain at the category 2 level for many years, possibly even decades. Up to half of those who are HIV positive do not develop category 4 disease for more than ten years. On the other hand, no-one with category 4 HIV (AIDS) has lived more than a few months, and sufferers develop severe infections and cancers that eventually kill them.
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