Summary about Disease
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the body's immune system, specifically the CD4 cells (T cells). If left untreated, HIV can lead to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), a condition where the immune system is severely damaged, making the body vulnerable to opportunistic infections and cancers.
Symptoms
Early Stage (Acute HIV Infection): Flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, rash, sore throat, swollen lymph glands, fatigue, and muscle aches. These symptoms may last a few weeks and then disappear. Many people don't realize they have HIV at this stage.
Clinical Latency (Chronic HIV Infection): This stage can last for many years (even decades with antiretroviral therapy - ART). During this time, the virus is still active but reproduces at very low levels. People may not have any symptoms.
AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome): Symptoms include rapid weight loss, recurring fever or profuse night sweats, extreme and unexplained tiredness, swollen lymph glands, prolonged diarrhea, sores of the mouth, anus, or genitals, pneumonia, blotches on or under the skin or inside the mouth, nose, or eyelids, neurological disorders such as memory loss, depression, and other problems.
Causes
HIV is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It's transmitted through certain bodily fluids, including:
Blood
Semen (cum)
Pre-seminal fluid (pre-cum)
Rectal fluids
Vaginal fluids
Breast milk The virus enters the body through:
Unprotected sex (vaginal, anal, or oral)
Sharing needles or syringes
From mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding (vertical transmission)
Less commonly, through blood transfusions (now rare in developed countries due to screening) or organ/tissue transplants from infected donors.
Medicine Used
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is used to treat HIV. ART doesn't cure HIV, but it controls the virus and allows people with HIV to live longer, healthier lives and prevents transmission. ART typically involves taking a combination of medications from different drug classes that work in different ways to block the virus from replicating. Common drug classes include:
Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs)
Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)
Protease inhibitors (PIs)
Integrase inhibitors
Fusion inhibitors
CCR5 antagonists
Post-attachment inhibitors
Is Communicable
Yes, HIV is communicable (transmittable). It is transmitted through specific bodily fluids as noted above. It is not spread through casual contact like hugging, shaking hands, sharing utensils, using the same toilet, or being bitten by mosquitoes.
Precautions
Practice Safer Sex: Use condoms consistently and correctly during every sexual encounter. Consider pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) if you are at high risk.
Don't Share Needles: Never share needles or syringes for injecting drugs.
Get Tested Regularly: If you are at risk for HIV, get tested regularly.
If Pregnant, Get Tested and Treated: If you are pregnant, get tested for HIV and, if positive, start treatment to prevent transmission to your baby.
Male Circumcision: Male circumcision can reduce the risk of HIV transmission during heterosexual sex.
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP): If you think you've been exposed to HIV, seek medical attention immediately for PEP, which can prevent infection if started within 72 hours.
How long does an outbreak last?
HIV is not an outbreak-based disease; it is a chronic infection. Once infected, a person has HIV for life, unless a cure is discovered. With ART, people with HIV can live long and healthy lives and maintain an undetectable viral load, meaning the virus is suppressed to such a low level that it cannot be transmitted sexually.
How is it diagnosed?
HIV is diagnosed through blood or oral fluid tests. Common tests include:
Antibody Tests: Look for antibodies to HIV. These tests can take several weeks to become positive after infection.
Antigen/Antibody Tests: Look for both HIV antibodies and antigens (a part of the virus). These tests can detect HIV sooner after infection than antibody tests.
Nucleic Acid Tests (NAT): Look for the virus itself in the blood. NAT tests are very sensitive and can detect HIV the soonest after infection, but they are more expensive and not typically used for routine screening.
Timeline of Symptoms
2-4 Weeks After Infection (Acute HIV Infection): Flu-like symptoms in some people. Some people have no symptoms.
Clinical Latency (Chronic HIV Infection): Can last for years (even decades with ART). Many people have no symptoms during this stage.
AIDS: Develops when HIV has severely damaged the immune system. Symptoms can vary widely, depending on the opportunistic infections and cancers that develop. The time from initial infection to AIDS varies significantly depending on access to and adherence to ART. Without treatment, it can take an average of 10-12 years.
Important Considerations
Early Diagnosis and Treatment: Early diagnosis and treatment with ART are crucial for managing HIV and preventing progression to AIDS.
Adherence to Treatment: Consistent adherence to ART is essential for controlling the virus and preventing drug resistance.
Prevention is Key: Practicing safer sex and avoiding sharing needles are the most effective ways to prevent HIV infection.
Stigma and Discrimination: HIV-related stigma and discrimination remain significant barriers to prevention and treatment.
Ongoing Research: Research is ongoing to develop new and improved treatments for HIV, including a cure.