Human immunodeficiency virus infection

An infection caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The final stage of the disease is acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (AIDS, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).

B - virus - the virus can reproduce in the cells of its host.

I - immunodeficiency - the immune system is weakened, cells are destroyed, as a result of which your immune system cannot defend itself.

H - human - this virus only infects humans.

C - Syndrome - is a set of symptoms and signs of the disease.

P - Acquired - AIDS is acquired after birth.

I – immuno – the immune system of the body, all organs and cells that fight infections and diseases.

D - Deficiency - AIDS starts when your immune system stops working.

Etiology

HIV is a retrovirus that infects the vital organs of the human immune system.

The retrovirus has reverse transcriptase, an enzyme that provides the synthesis of DNA copies from the RNA of the virus and integrates them into the cell genome. Once HIV enters a host cell, it binds to its own genetic material, resulting in lifelong infection.

Without antiretroviral therapy, the disease progresses. The rate of progression of the disease can vary greatly among individuals and depends on many factors (age of the patient, the body's ability to defend itself against HIV, access to medical care, the presence of coexisting infections, the genetic heredity of the infected person, resistance to certain strains of HIV).

To date, doctors have identified three genotypes of the causative agent of human immunodeficiency - HIV-1, HIV-2 and HTLV-IV.

HIV has been found in many cells and fluids of sick and infected people.The virus is predominantly found in blood and semen.

People at risk of HIV transmission:

1. Sexual transmission. Transmission of the virus is possible during contact with infected sexual secretions (rectal, genital or oral mucosa). Typically, transmission occurs during unprotected sex, including vaginal, oral, and anal sex, or the exchange of sex toys with an HIV-infected person.
2. Drug addicts who share non-sterile needles and syringes for parenteral drug administration.
3. Hemophilia patients.
4. Perinatal transmission. A mother can pass the infection to her baby during childbirth, pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Pathogenesis

HIV infection is characterized by an increase in a defect in predominantly cellular immunity due to lymphopenia, as well as functional failure of lymphocytic cells, their altered polyclonal activation.

Clinic

The first signs that the patient may notice themselves are swelling, rash or changes in skin color. Symptoms (according to the patient): fatigue, headache or dizziness. Most of the symptoms of HIV are due to infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. If a person has a healthy immune system, it protects the body from infection, and such conditions do not appear.

Signs and symptoms of early HIV infection.

Many people with HIV do not show symptoms for several years. Other people, usually 5 to 8 weeks after contracting the virus, may develop flu-like symptoms. Symptoms may last up to four weeks.

Symptoms of early HIV infection may include:

• fever,
• chills,
• joint pain,
• muscle pain,
• sore throat,
• sweating (especially at night),
• enlarged tonsils,
• red rash,
• fatigue,
• weakness,
• weight loss.

Asymptomatic HIV infection

In many cases, after the initial symptoms disappear, no further symptoms appear for many years. During this time, the virus develops and damages the immune system. This process can take up to 10 years. An infected person will not experience any symptoms and will feel good and look healthy.

Late-stage HIV infection

If left untreated, HIV weakens the ability to fight infection. The person becomes vulnerable to serious diseases. This stage of the infection is called AIDS.

Signs and symptoms of advanced HIV infection may include:

• blurred vision,
• diarrhea,
• chronic dry cough,
• fever above 37°C (100F) lasting a week,
• night sweat,
• constant fatigue,
• shortness of breath,
• swollen glands,
• weight loss,
• white spots on the tongue or in the mouth.

In the late stage of HIV infection, the risk of developing a life-threatening disease is much higher.

Examples of such diseases:

• esophagitis (inflammation of the inner lining of the lower esophagus);
• infections of the nervous system (acute aseptic meningitis, subacute encephalitis, peripheral neuropathy);
• pneumonia;
• certain cancers such as Kaposi's sarcoma, invasive cervical cancer, lung cancer, rectal carcinoma, head and neck cancer, cancer of the immune system known as lymphoma.
• toxoplasmosis (a disease caused by a parasite that infects the brain, it can also cause eye and lung disease);
• tuberculosis.

Life-threatening illnesses can be controlled and treated with proper HIV treatment.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is made by taking a blood test, which is specifically checked for the presence of the virus. If the HIV virus is detected, the test result is "positive". Before issuing a positive result to the patient, the blood is sent several times for re-testing. Those people who test positive will be asked to take some other tests to determine the extent of the progression of the infection, as well as when to start treatment. If a person has been exposed to the virus, it is imperative that they get tested as soon as possible.

The earlier HIV is detected, the more likely it is that treatment will be successful. In addition, precautions can be taken to prevent transmission of the virus to other people. After being infected with HIV, the incubation period can be anywhere from three weeks to three months. Therefore, it may be difficult to detect the virus. Reanalysis may be necessary.

Virology Form for HIV Blood Tests

Ultra sensitive HIV sensor. Scientists at Imperial College London reported in Nature Nanotechnology (October 2012 edition) that they have developed an extremely sensitive sensor that detects viral infections, including HIV. They claim that the sensor is ten times more sensitive in detecting the HIV biomarker than all other tools available today. The doctor can see the results by looking at the color change in the liquid solution.

Treatment

In the early stages of HIV, antiretroviral therapy is critical: it improves quality of life, increases life expectancy, and reduces the risk of transmission. This information is provided in the new World Health Organization guidelines released in June 2013.

If an HIV-infected adult's CD4 count is 500 cells/mm3 or below, they should start treatment immediately.

There is currently no vaccine or cure for HIV/AIDS. However, every year the treatment improves and becomes much more effective - as a result, the overall health and quality of life of patients improves.

Pills for "emergency" HIV

If a person thinks they have been exposed to the virus within the past 72 hours (three days), they should take an HIV medication called PEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis) that can stop the infection. Treatment should be completed as soon as possible after exposure to the virus. PEP treatment lasts four weeks and has unpleasant side effects (diarrhea, malaise, nausea, weakness and fatigue).

After a diagnosis of HIV-positive is made, regular blood tests should be performed before starting treatment to monitor the progress of the virus. The goal of treatment is to lower the level of HIV in the blood.

HIV is treated with antiretroviral drugs (ARVs). They fight HIV infection and slow down the spread of the virus in the body. Typically, patients take a combination of drugs called HAART (highly active antiretroviral therapy). The combination of drugs is adapted for each person. Treatment for HIV is usually ongoing and lifelong.

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