- Describe HIV
The HIV virus weakens the immune system. CD4 cells, a type of immune cell known as a T cell, are impacted by untreated HIV and eventually die.
The body is more susceptible to developing numerous diseases and malignancies over time as HIV destroys more CD4 cells.
HIV is spread through body secretions, such as:
Breast milk, vaginal and rectal secretions, and blood
The virus cannot be spread via casual touch, water, or the air.
Due to the fact that HIV binds to cells' DNA, it is a lifelong problem. Although many scientists are striving to develop a medicine to eradicate HIV from the body, none have yet been discovered.
However, with proper medical care, such as antiretroviral therapy, it is feasible to control HIV and live with the infection for a very long time.
A person with HIV is more likely to acquire the deadly illness Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, also known as AIDS, if they don't receive therapy.
At that moment, the immune system is insufficiently strong to effectively combat more illnesses, infections, and disorders.
Life expectancy with end-stage AIDS is around 3 years if untreatedTrusted Source. HIV can be effectively managed with antiretroviral medication, and a person with HIV can expect to live almost as long as someone who has not.
According to estimates, 1.2 million Americans are HIV positive right now. One in seven of them are unaware they have the infection.
The body might undergo alterations as a result of HIV.
- Describe AIDS
HIV-positive individuals have the potential to acquire AIDS. It is HIV's most advanced stage. However, merely having HIV does not guarantee that a person will get AIDS.
CD4 cells die due to HIV. A healthy adult's CD4 count typically ranges from 500 to 1,600 cells per cubic millimeter. AIDS will be declared in an HIV patient whose CD4 level is less than 200 cells per cubic millimeter.
A person with HIV may potentially be identified as having AIDS if they experience an opportunistic infection or malignancy that is uncommon in persons without HIV.
Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia is an example of an opportunistic illness that only affects people who are extremely immunocompromised, such as those with advanced HIV infection (AIDS).
If left untreated, HIV can develop into AIDS in ten years. Currently, there is no therapy for AIDS, and the life expectancy upon diagnosis is just approximately three years. dependable source
If the individual contracts a serious opportunistic sickness, this could be cut short. However, antiretroviral medication therapy can stop the onset of AIDS.
If AIDS does arise, it indicates that the immune system is seriously damaged, or weak to the point where it can no longer effectively fight off most infections and diseases.
As a result, they are more susceptible to a variety of diseases, such as:
pneumonia\tuberculosis
Oral thrush, a fungus in the mouth or throat, cryptococcal meningitis, a fungus in the brain, toxoplasmosis, a brain condition brought on by a parasite, and cryptosporidiosis, a condition brought on by an intestinal parasite, as well as cancers such Kaposi sarcoma (KS) and lymphoma
It is not a direct consequence of the condition itself that untreated AIDS is associated with a shorter life expectancy. Instead, it's a result of the illnesses and problems that come with having an immune system that has been compromised by AIDS.
- Early HIV symptoms
The acute infection stage is the first several weeks after HIV infection.
This is the phase when the virus reproduces quickly. HIV antibodies, which are proteins that take action to respond against infection, are produced as a result of the immune system's reaction.
Some people initially don't have any symptoms during this time. But in the first month or two after catching the virus, a lot of people have symptoms, though frequently without realizing that HIV is the cause of those symptoms.
This is due to the fact that acute stage symptoms might resemble flu-like symptoms or those of other seasonal viruses, such as:
They might range from minor to severe.
They could appear and disappear or linger for a few days to several weeks.
HIV can present with early signs like:
fever \chills
an enlarged lymph node
aches and pains in general
skin rash, headache, and sore throat
nausea
uneasy stomach
The individual experiencing these symptoms might not think they need to consult a healthcare professional because they are comparable to those of common illnesses like the flu.
And even if they do, their doctor might assume they have the flu or mononucleosis and not even think to test for HIV.
During this time, a person's viral load is quite high whether they are experiencing symptoms or not. The amount of HIV in the bloodstream is known as the viral load.
When there is a high viral load, HIV can be spread quickly to new individuals.
As a person reaches the chronic, or clinical latency, stage of HIV, the initial HIV symptoms typically go away within a few months. With treatment, this stage may persist for many years or even decades.
- What HIV symptoms are present?
HIV enters the clinical latency stage after the first month or so. From a few years to a few decades, this stage may last.
While some people may experience only minor or vague symptoms during this time, others may not. A symptom that doesn't relate to a particular disease or condition is said to be generic.
- These vague symptoms could consist of:
aches and pains, including headaches
an enlarged lymph node
persistent fevers
morning sweats
fatigue
nausea \vomiting
diarrhea skin rashes weight loss
pneumonia, shingles, and recurrent yeast infections of the mouth or vagina
HIV can continue spread throughout this time, even if there are no symptoms, just like it did in the early stages.
But unless they get tested, a person won't know they have HIV. It's crucial for someone to get tested if they believe they may have been exposed to HIV and exhibit these symptoms.
- Rash—is it an HIV symptom?
The skin of many HIV-positive patients alters. Rash is frequently one of the initial signs of HIV infection. A typical HIV rash consists of several tiny red lesions that are both flat and elevated.
- HIV-related rash
HIV increases a person's susceptibility to skin issues by destroying immune system cells that fight against infection. The following co-infections can result in rash:
Shingles caused by herpes simplex molluscum contagiosum
HIV symptoms at this stage might fluctuate or develop quickly. With treatment, its advancement can be significantly delayed.
If antiretroviral therapy was started early enough, persistent HIV can persist for decades with regular use and is unlikely to progress to AIDS.
The rash's origin determines:
the way it appears and the duration
Treatment options depend on the underlying cause.
- Rash caused by taking medicine
Rash can result from HIV co-infections, but it can also result from medicines. Some medications prescribed to treat HIV or other ailments can result in a rash.
This kind of rash typically develops a week to two weeks after beginning a new medicine. The rash may occasionally go away on its own. A change in medicine may be required if it doesn't.
Rash brought on by a drug allergy might be quite dangerous.
Among the additional signs of an allergic reaction are:
difficulty swallowing or breathing, disorientation, or fever
There is an uncommon allergic reaction to HIV medicine called Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS). Fever and facial and tongue swelling are symptoms. A blistering rash forms and spreads swiftly, affecting the skin and mucous membranes.
Toxic epidermal necrolysis, a disorder that can be fatal, is a condition in which 30% of the skin is afflicted. Emergency medical care is required if this worsens.
Rashes are widespread and can have a variety of other reasons, despite the fact that they can be associated with HIV or HIV drugs.
- Is there a difference in the signs of HIV in men?
Although HIV symptoms differ from person to person, they are comparable in both men and women. These signs and symptoms may fluctuate or steadily worsen.
A person may have been exposed to other sexually transmitted diseases if they have been exposed to HIV (STIs). These consist of:
gonorrhea \chlamydia \syphilis \trichomoniasis
Men and individuals who have a penis may discover STI signs, such as sores on their genitalia, earlier than women do. However, males often don't go to the doctor as frequently as women do.
- Do women's HIV symptoms differ from men's?
The majority of the time, HIV symptoms in men and women are comparable. However, because men and women have different risks associated with HIV infection, the overall symptoms they encounter may vary.
STIs provide a greater danger to HIV-positive men and women alike. The likelihood that women or individuals who have a vagina will notice little spots or other alterations to their genitalia may, however, be lower than that of men.
- Additionally, women with HIV are more likely to:
recurring yeast infections of the vagina, as well as other vaginal infections such bacterial vaginosis and pelvic inflammatory illness (PID)
Periodic cycle adjustments
Human papillomavirus (HPV), which can result in cervical cancer and genital warts.
Another risk for women with HIV is that the virus can pass to a baby when pregnant, even though this is unrelated to HIV symptoms. Antiretroviral medication is thought to be safe during pregnancy, but.
Pasteurized banked human milk is an alternative to formula.
It's crucial for women who may have been exposed to HIV to be aware of the signs to watch out for.
Antiretroviral therapy patients have a very minimal risk of passing HIV to their unborn child during pregnancy and delivery. The ability of women with HIV to breastfeed is also impacted. Breast milk can spread the infection to an unborn child.
It is advised that mothers with HIV avoid breastfeeding their infants in the United States and other countries where formula is easily available and secure. Use of formula is suggested for these ladies.
Pasteurized banked human milk is an alternative to formula.
It's crucial for women who may have been exposed to HIV to be aware of the signs to watch out for.
- What signs and symptoms do AIDS have?
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is referred to as AIDS. This syndrome is brought on by HIV, which has often gone untreated for many years and has weakened the immune system.
A person will typically not get AIDS if HIV is identified and treated with antiretroviral medication at an early stage.
If HIV is discovered too late or if a person with HIV is aware of their condition but does not take their antiretroviral medication regularly, they run the risk of developing AIDS.
If they have an HIV strain that is resistant to antiretroviral medication, they may also go on to acquire AIDS.
Anus lumps, skin lesions, or rashes; dark splotches on the skin; inside the mouth, nose, or eyelids; sores, spots, or lesions on the mouth and tongue; or genital lesions or anus
diarrhea that comes back or is chronic quick weight loss
neurological issues include memory loss, confusion, and difficulty focusing
both tension and despair
Antiretroviral therapy manages the infection and typically stops the development of AIDS. Treatment options exist for AIDS-related complications and other infections. The person's specific needs must be taken into account when designing the treatment.
- Data on HIV transmission
HIV can infect anyone. The virus is spread through bodily secretions such as:
Breast milk, vaginal and rectal secretions, and blood
HIV can spread from one person to another in a number of ways, including:
During pregnancy, labor, or delivery from a pregnant person to their baby during breastfeeding by vaginal or anal sex, the most prevalent method of transmission, by sharing needles, syringes, and other objects for injection, or by sharing tattoo equipment without cleaning it between uses.
exposure to the blood, semen, vaginal and rectal secretions, and breast milk of someone living with HIV, such as by a needle stick; or "premastication," or chewing a baby's food before feeding it to them.
Additionally, the virus can spread via organ and tissue transplants as well as blood transfusions. However, this is extremely uncommon in the United States thanks to strict testing for HIV among blood, organ, and tissue donors.
Although it is exceedingly unlikely, HIV can possibly be spread through:
oral sex (only if the person has open sores in their mouth or bleeding gums)
being bitten by an HIV-positive person (only if the person has open sores in their mouth or has bloody saliva)
damaged skin, wounds, or mucous membranes in contact with the blood of an HIV-positive person
HIV cannot spread through:
hugging, shaking hands, or kissing air or water with another person's skin on it
consuming or drinking from drinking fountains while also exchanging saliva, tears, or sweat (unless mixed with the blood of a person with HIV)
It's crucial to remember that it is practically impossible to spread HIV to someone else if an HIV-positive individual is receiving treatment and maintains a persistently undetectable viral load.
- Reasons for HIV
A virus that can infect African chimpanzees is related to HIV. The simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), according to scientists, is thought to have spread from chimpanzees to humans through the consumption of chimpanzee meat.
Once in contact with humans, the virus changed into what is today known as HIV. This probably happened back in the 1920s.
- HIV treatment possibilities
Regardless of viral load, treatment should start as soon as possible after an HIV diagnosis.
Antiretroviral therapy, a regimen of daily drugs that prevent the virus from reproducing, is the principal treatment for HIV. This aids in the protection of CD4 cells, maintaining the immune system's capacity to combat disease.
Antiretroviral medication helps prevent the development of AIDS from HIV. It also lessens the chance of HIV transmission to others.
The viral load will be "undetectable" after successful therapy. Despite the absence of the virus in test results, the person nonetheless has HIV.
sharing a bathroom, towels, or mattress with insects like mosquitoes
The virus is still present in the body, though. Additionally, if the patient quits receiving antiretroviral medication, the viral load will rise once more, allowing HIV to once more target CD4 cells.
- Medicine for HIV
The treatment of HIV with antiretroviral therapy involves many different drugs. They try to stop HIV from multiplying and eradicating CD4 cells, which support the immune system's production of an immunological response to infection.
By doing so, the chance of contracting HIV-related problems and spreading the infection to others is decreased.
These antiretroviral drugs are categorized into the following seven classes:
Protease inhibitors, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors
Entry inhibitors integrase strand transfer inhibitors, also referred to as fusion inhibitors CCR5 antagonists
attachment blockers
- A course of treatment
Three HIV drugs from at least two of these drug groups should be included in a starting regimen, according to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
HIV is less likely to develop drug resistance because to this combination. (Resistance indicates that the drug's ability to combat the infection has waned.)
Since many antiretroviral drugs are paired with one another, an HIV patient often only needs to take one or two pills per day.
A healthcare professional will assist an HIV patient in selecting a regimen depending on their general health and unique circumstances.
These prescription drugs must be taken daily and exactly as directed. If they are not taken as directed, viral resistance may develop, necessitating the use of a new regimen.
The effectiveness of the regimen to maintain a high CD4 count and a low viral load will be assessed through blood tests. The patient's healthcare professional will move them to a different, more effective regimen if their antiretroviral therapy regimen isn't functioning.
- Effects and expenses
Antiretroviral medication can have a variety of side effects, some of which include nausea, headaches, and vertigo. These symptoms frequently pass quickly with time.
Swelling of the mouth and tongue as well as liver or renal damage are examples of serious adverse effects. The drug dosage might be changed if side effects become severe.
The price of antiretroviral therapy varies depending on where you live and what kind of insurance you have. To aid with cost-savings, certain pharmaceutical companies offer assistance programs.
- How are HIV and AIDS related?
A person must have acquired HIV in order to develop AIDS. However, carrying HIV does not guarantee that a person will acquire AIDS.
HIV cases develop throughout three stages:
stage 1: the acute phase, the initial weeks following transmission
stage 2: the chronic or clinical latency stage
AIDS during stage 3.
The immune system deteriorates as the CD4 cell count decreases due to HIV. The CD4 count in an average adult is 500 to 1,500 cells per cubic millimeter. A person is said to have AIDS if their count is less than 200.
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