HIV & AIDS

What is HIV?

The Immunodeficiency Virus(HIV) is a sexually transmitted virus that attacks the body's immune system, which gives a natural protection against diseases and infections.HIV infects special cells, called CD4 cells, which are found in blood, and they fight against infection.If the human body stops to produce these cells, the immune system stop working.This can develop a serious infection or disease like Cancer in our body.



What is AIDS?

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a term that is used to describe the latter stages of HIV, when the immune system does not work and a life-threatening condition is developed, such as pneumonia (infection of the lungs).The term 'AIDS' was first used when the exact nature of the HIV virus was not fully understood. This term is too general to describe the many different conditions that can affect a body with HIV.



Symptoms of primary HIV infection may include(2-6 weeks after HIV attack):
fever,joint pain,muscle pain,sore throat,tiredness,swollen glands, ora blotchy rash on the chest.If it is left untreated then it can change into a serious and dangerous condition when our immune system stops working.

Symptoms of a serious infection caused by a damaged immune system are:

a fever of above 100F that lasts a few weeks,

swollen glands that last for more than a couple of months,

unexplained weigh loss,

blurred vision,

night sweats,

white spots on your tongue or mouth,

dry cough,

shortness of breath,

persistent tiredness and

Diarrhoea.



How HIV spreads inside the body:

The HIV virus breaks down the genetic code of cells specially CD4 cells used by our immune system, and then uses the raw genetic material to replicate itself. The body can make more CD4 cells, but eventually the HIV virus will reduce the numbers of CD4 cells to such an extent that the immune system will stop working.


How HIV spreads outside the body:

-HIV can be spread through blood transfusions

-People who inject illegal drugs, and share needles, are also at risk from getting the HIV virus. The condition can also be spread from a mother to her unborn child.

-.HIV virus can be spread through the exchange of bodily fluids, such as semen or blood like sexual intercourse.


Treatment:

As part of your treatment, you will undergo regular blood tests. The tests are used to measure two things:your CD4 count - which is the number of CD4 cells in your blood, andviral load - which is the amount of HIV in your bloodThe implications of different CD4 counts are explained below.A CD4 count of 500, or above, means that there is no risk of infection.A CD4 count of between 200 and 500, means that there is a small risk of infection, particularly from tuberculosis (TB).A CD4 count of less than 200 means that there is high risk of serious infection.The viral load will be regularly measured in order to show whether the medicines that are being used to treat HIV are working effectively. A high viral load may mean that you need a new combination of medicines.

Both the CD4 count and viral load can fluctuate over time, so one high, or low, reading does not automatically mean that your condition has got worse. The general trend of your CD4 count and viral load, over time, is more important in tracking the progression of the condition.

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)There is no cure, or vaccine, for HIV, and researchers think it will take many years to find it. However, special medicines such as highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has shown remarkable success in slowing the progression of the condition, and prolonging life.