Health Tech

HIV/AIDS

Knowledge about AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is the first step towards prevention. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is such an infection that attacks the body’s immune system, weakening it over time.

According to a UNICEF report, the number of HIV patients is increasing rapidly. Data shows that in 2019, every 1 minute and 40 seconds, a young person under 20 years old falls victim to this disease. Meanwhile, in 2020, the number of people infected with HIV reached nearly 2.8 million. According to the American Health Department, individuals infected with HIV can survive for about three years without medication. Those who receive timely information about HIV and start ART (Antiretroviral Therapy) reduce their risk of death.

In fact, HIV targets white blood cells, also known as helper T cells. Initially, flu-like symptoms appear, which most people tend to ignore. Common signs include weight loss, fever, fatigue, and an increased likelihood of ulcers in the genital area. Changes in skin color and the development of tuberculosis, infections, or cancers may also occur.

Causes Of HIV/AIDS

HIV causes an individual to develop AIDS. HIV is a type of virus that weakens the immune system. There are several ways this virus enters the human body.

Sexual contact : The primary cause of transmission is unsafe sexual contact. Whether penetrative vaginal sex, anal sex, or oral sex, engaging in sex without protection with multiple partners increases the risk of HIV.
Blood transfusion : In some cases, individuals get infected through blood transfusions. Direct transmission through blood transfusion poses a risk, as HIV can enter the body this way. The virus transmits through the bloodstream, leading to infection.
Sharing contaminated needles : Using contaminated needles is a key cause. Sharing any type of syringe exposes a person to infected blood, which can transmit HIV.
Mother to child: HIV can be transmitted from an HIV-positive mother to her child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. HIV-positive mothers can transmit the virus to their babies during these stages.
Body fluids: Vaginal secretions, rectal secretions, breast milk, blood, amniotic fluid around the foetus, and cerebrospinal fluid around the spinal cord are significant mediums through which HIV transmission can occur.

Symptoms of HIV/AIDS

Most people infected with AIDS experience flu-like symptoms within 2 to 6 weeks of infection. After contracting HIV, individuals often develop AIDS.

Stage 1: Acute HIV infection

It is believed that 50 to 70 percent of people with HIV develop flu-like symptoms within 2 to 4 weeks. This is known as the first stage of AIDS, and many people experience only these symptoms for weeks, including:

Repeated fever
Chills
Red rashes on the body
Headache
Swelling in the neck
Night sweats
Mouth and genital ulcers
Mild joint pain
Constant fatigue

Stage 2: Clinical latency

In this stage, the virus multiplies rapidly. This phase is called chronic HIV infection. The duration from initial infection to clinical disease varies. For untreated patients, the average period is 10 years. Patients with high levels of HIV RNA in plasma tend to progress faster. During this stage, there’s a high risk of transmitting the virus to sexual partners.

Stage 3: AIDS

People infected with HIV who are not receiving treatment gradually experience immune weakening. AIDS is diagnosed in individuals over 6 years old with HIV infection. Such individuals show severe symptoms like:

Pneumonia
Mouth and anal infections
Constant fatigue
Fever
Memory impairment and depression

HIV/AIDS: Diagnosis

HIV is diagnosed through serum, saliva, and urine tests for the virus. These tests determine whether a person is infected with HIV. Many HIV symptoms may remain hidden for years.

Laboratory Tests

HIV 1 and HIV 2 antibody tests : HIV has two types: HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 is more commonly associated with higher AIDS risk, especially in West Africa, where HIV-2 is also found. These tests mainly analyze the amount of virus and P24 antigen in the blood.
CD4 Count : This test measures white blood cells in the body. A healthy individual’s count is around 1000. In HIV-positive individuals, the white blood cell count can drop below 200.
Rapid antibody screening ; This test uses saliva or blood and provides results within 30 minutes.
Antibody tests : Rapid tests are immunoassays that screen for HIV antibodies in blood or oral fluids.

HIV/AIDS: Treatment

Currently, there is no cure for HIV. However, effective treatments exist that help most infected people lead healthy, longer lives.

Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)

ART reduces HIV-related morbidity at all stages of infection and transmission. It maintains CD4 counts and prevents AIDS. Most people start daily HIV treatment within six months of diagnosis. This includes nasal sprays and inhalers as part of re-creative medications.

There are four types of antiretroviral therapy:

Entry inhibitors
Integrase inhibitors
Protease inhibitors
Fusion inhibitors

Through medication

This involves combining two or more different classes of drugs. It is a combination therapy against multidrug resistance. It offers benefits like greater potency and reducing the number of resistant organisms compared to monotherapy with broad-spectrum drugs. Do consult a doctor before taking drugs such as Dolutegravir, Tenofovir, Emtricitabine, and Raltegravir.

Disclaimer

This content, including advice, is for general informational purposes only. It does not substitute for qualified medical advice in any way. Always consult a healthcare professional or your doctor for more information.

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