Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a life-threatening condition caused by
the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). AIDS represents the most advanced stage of HIV infection, characterized by severe damage to the immune system, leaving the body vulnerable to opportunistic infections and certain cancers.
How HIV Leads to AIDS
1. HIV Infection: a. HIV primarily targets the immune system, specifically CD4 cells (a type of white blood cell crucial for immune defense). b. Over time, HIV replicates and destroys these cells, weakening the immune system. 2. Progression to AIDS: a. Without treatment, the gradual decline in CD4 cells leads to immune system failure. b. AIDS is diagnosed when the CD4 count drops below 200 cells per microliter of blood or when an individual develops specific opportunistic infections or cancers associated with HIV.
Symptoms of AIDS
While early-stage HIV infection may show mild or no symptoms, AIDS presents more severe health issues, including:
1. Blood: Sharing needles, transfusions with contaminated blood.
2. Sexual Contact: Unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected person. 3. Mother-to-Child: During pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. 4. Other Routes: Accidental needle-stick injuries, rarely through organ transplants or medical procedures with contaminated equipment.
HIV cannot be transmitted through casual contact, such as hugging, shaking hands, sharing utensils, or using the same toilet.
Diagnosis of HIV/AIDS
1. HIV Testing: Includes rapid tests, ELISA, and confirmatory tests like Western blot. 2. Monitoring Disease Progression: Regular CD4 count and viral load tests.
Treatment
1. Antiretroviral Therapy (ART):
a. ART involves a combination of drugs that suppress HIV replication, slow disease progression, and improve immune function. b. Although ART cannot cure HIV, it can control the virus to undetectable levels, significantly reducing the risk of transmission and progression to AIDS. 2. Preventive Measures: a. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for high-risk individuals. b. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) after potential exposure. c. Safe sex practices and harm-reduction strategies like needle-exchange programs.
• Certain cancers (e.g., cervical cancer, Kaposi's sarcoma). • Wasting syndrome (severe weight loss and muscle atrophy). • Neurological disorders, including HIV-associated dementia.
Prevention
• Education and Awareness: Promoting knowledge about safe practices and HIV testing. • Safe Practices: Using condoms, avoiding needle sharing, and regular testing. • Mother-to-Child Transmission Prevention: ART for pregnant women with HIV.
Global Impact
AIDS has caused millions of deaths worldwide since its discovery in the early 1980s. While significant progress has been made in treatment and prevention, stigma and discrimination remain major barriers to addressing the epidemic. Global initiatives, such as UNAIDS and the World Health Organization (WHO), focus on ending the AIDS epidemic by ensuring access to testing, treatment, and preventive measures.
AIDS is no longer a death sentence with proper medical care and support. Ongoing research continues to offer hope for better treatments and, eventually, a cure or vaccine.
