AIDS
What is AIDS?
AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is the most advanced stage of an infection caused by the HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). HIV attacks and weakens the immune system, particularly the CD4 or T-helper cells, which are essential for fighting off infections. As the immune system deteriorates, the body becomes vulnerable to a wide range of opportunistic infections and certain cancers, which would not normally affect a person with a healthy immune system.
Stages of HIV Infection:
- Acute HIV Infection: This is the initial stage, occurring within 2-4 weeks after the virus enters the body. Symptoms are flu-like and include fever, rash, and sore throat.
- Chronic HIV Infection (Asymptomatic or Clinical Latency Stage): After the initial infection, the virus becomes less active but continues to replicate at low levels. During this stage, many people may not have symptoms, but the virus is still damaging the immune system.
- AIDS: If left untreated, HIV progresses to AIDS, the final and most severe phase of the infection. At this stage, the immune system is so damaged that the body is prone to life-threatening infections and illnesses.
How AIDS is Diagnosed:
- AIDS is diagnosed when the number of CD4 cells in the blood falls below 200 cells per cubic millimeter (compared to 500–1,600 in a healthy person).
- AIDS is also diagnosed when someone with HIV develops one or more opportunistic infections or certain types of cancer, such as Kaposi’s sarcoma or lymphoma.
Transmission of HIV:
HIV is primarily spread through:
- Unprotected sexual contact with an infected person.
- Sharing needles or syringes with someone who has HIV.
- Mother-to-child transmission during childbirth or breastfeeding (if untreated).
- Blood transfusions with infected blood (though this is now rare due to screening processes).
HIV is not spread through casual contact, kissing, hugging, or sharing food.
Symptoms of AIDS:
People with AIDS may experience:
- Severe weight loss
- Chronic diarrhea
- Night sweats
- Persistent fever
- Skin rashes and lesions
- Recurrent infections (e.g., tuberculosis, pneumonia)
- Neurological complications (e.g., memory loss, confusion)