HIV and AIDS: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention
HIV and AIDS are related, but different conditions that affect the immune system. HIV is a virus that infects and destroys certain white blood cells called CD4 cells, which assist the body in fighting infections. As a result of HIV infection, the immune system becomes severely damaged, which leaves the patient vulnerable to opportunistic infections and cancers. We will explore the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of HIV and AIDS in this blog post.
Causes of HIV and AIDS
HIV is transmitted through contact with bodily fluids that contain the virus, such as blood, semen, vaginal fluid, breast milk, or rectal fluid. The most common ways of getting HIV are:
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Having unprotected sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) with someone who has HIV.
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Sharing needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment with someone who has HIV.
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Getting a blood transfusion, organ transplant, or tissue graft from someone who has HIV (very rare in countries where blood and organs are screened for HIV).
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Being born to or breastfed by a mother who has HIV.
A person can have HIV for many years without developing AIDS. However, without treatment, HIV will gradually weaken the immune system and increase the risk of progressing to AIDS. AIDS is diagnosed when a person with HIV has either:
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A CD4 cell count below 200 cells per cubic millimeter of blood (normal range is 500 to 1,600 cells per cubic millimeter).
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An opportunistic infection or cancer that is rare or severe in people with healthy immune systems, such as Pneumocystis pneumonia, Kaposi’s sarcoma, or tuberculosis.
Symptoms of HIV and AIDS
The symptoms of HIV and AIDS vary depending on the stage of infection, the presence of other illnesses, and the individual’s response to treatment. Some of the common symptoms of HIV and AIDS are:
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Flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache, sore throat, swollen glands, or rash, within 2 to 4 weeks of getting infected with HIV. These symptoms usually last for a few days to weeks and may not occur in everyone.
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No symptoms or mild symptoms, such as fatigue, weight loss, night sweats, or recurrent infections, for several years after the initial infection. This is called the asymptomatic or chronic phase of HIV infection.
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When the immune system is severely compromised and AIDS develops, severe symptoms occur, including persistent fever, diarrhea, cough, shortness of breath, skin lesions, oral ulcers, neurological issues, or wasting syndrome. The weakened immune system can be exploited by opportunistic infections or cancers.
Diagnosis of HIV and AIDS
The diagnosis of HIV and AIDS is based on the results of blood tests and the presence of certain illnesses. Some of the tests that are used to diagnose or monitor HIV and AIDS are:
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A blood sample or saliva sample can be used for these tests, which detect antibodies that are produced in response to HIV infection. In the first few weeks after exposure, when the body has not yet produced enough antibodies, these tests may not detect HIV infection. The window period occurs during this time.
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The antigen test is a blood test that detects the presence of a protein called p24, which is part of the HIV virus; it can detect HIV infection sooner than an antibody test, usually within two to four weeks after exposure.
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A nucleic acid test detects HIV genetic material (RNA or DNA) in the blood and can detect HIV infection within 10 to 33 days of exposure.
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In this test, the number of CD4 cells in the blood is measured, which indicates how well the immune system is functioning and how advanced the HIV infection is. A normal CD4 cell count is above 500 cells per cubic millimeter, while a CD4 cell count below 200 cells per cubic millimeter indicates AIDS.
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This test indicates how active the HIV infection is and how effectively the treatment is working by measuring the amount of HIV virus in the blood. When a virus multiplies rapidly and damages the immune system, a high viral load indicates that the virus is suppressed and effective treatment is being administered.
Treatment of HIV and AIDS
The treatment of HIV and AIDS consists of taking antiretroviral drugs that prevent the HIV virus from multiplying and damaging the immune system. There are several types of antiretroviral drugs that target different stages of the HIV life cycle, such as:
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Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), which block the enzyme that converts HIV RNA into DNA.
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Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), which bind to and disable the same enzyme.
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Protease inhibitors (PIs), which block the enzyme that cuts HIV proteins into smaller pieces.
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Integrase inhibitors (INSTIs), which block the enzyme that inserts HIV DNA into the host cell’s DNA.
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Entry inhibitors, which block the entry of HIV into the host cell by interfering with the receptors or the fusion process.
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Post-attachment inhibitors, which block the attachment of HIV to the host cell after it has entered.
The current standard of care for HIV treatment is to take at least three antiretroviral drugs from different classes, referred to as highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) or combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). The regimen reduces the viral load, increases CD4 cell counts, improves the immune system, and prevents the development of drug resistance. People with HIV can live longer and healthier lives with antiretroviral drugs, but they are not a cure.
As well as antiretroviral drugs, HIV and AIDS patients may need to take antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, or chemotherapy to prevent or treat opportunistic infections or cancer. Additionally, vitamin, mineral, or probiotic supplements may be necessary to improve their nutrition and digestion.
Prevention of HIV and AIDS
The prevention of HIV and AIDS involves avoiding or reducing the exposure to the virus and taking preventive measures to protect oneself and others. Some of the ways to prevent HIV and AIDS are:
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Whenever you have vaginal, anal, or oral sex, use a condom, dental dam, or female condom to practice safe sex. Additionally, you should limit your number of sexual partners, get tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections regularly, and treat any infections as soon as possible.
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If you are addicted to drugs, you should not share needles, syringes, or other injection equipment. You should also use clean or sterile equipment, dispose of used equipment safely, and seek help if necessary.
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If you suspect you have been exposed to HIV, get tested and treated as soon as possible. If you take antiretroviral drugs within 72 hours of exposure to HIV, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) can prevent it. In addition to informing your sexual partners, you should also encourage them to get tested and treated.
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If you are at high risk of contracting HIV, such as having a sexual partner with HIV, having multiple sexual partners, or injecting drugs, you can take pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which is a daily pill of antiretroviral drugs. Besides PrEP, you should use condoms and other prevention methods as well as get tested for HIV every three months.
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Getting circumcised if you are a male, as this can lower your risk of getting HIV from female partners by reducing the surface area of the foreskin, which is more susceptible to HIV infection. In any case, circumcision does not eliminate the risk of HIV, so you should continue to use condoms and other prevention methods.
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You should wear gloves, masks, or goggles when handling or cleaning up blood or other fluids, or do not handle or use someone else's personal items, such as razors, toothbrushes, or nail clippers, if they contain HIV.
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You should get screened for HIV during pregnancy and take antiretroviral drugs if you are HIV-positive to prevent your baby from contracting the virus. Additionally, you should not breastfeed your baby if you have HIV, as breast milk can transmit the virus. To prevent HIV infection in your baby, you should also administer antiretroviral drugs for four to six weeks after birth.
