AIDS (Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is a disease

caused by a virus called HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). The illness alters the immune system,
making people much more vulnerable to infections and diseases. This susceptibility worsens as the
disease progresses.

HIV is found in the body fluids of an infected person (semen and vaginal fluids, blood and breast milk).
The virus is passed from one person to another through blood-to-blood and sexual contact. In addition,
infected pregnant women can pass HIV to their babies during pregnancy, delivering the baby during
childbirth, and through breast feeding.

HIV can be transmitted in many ways, such as vaginal, oral sex, anal sex, blood transfusion, and
contaminated hypodermic needles.

Both the virus and the disease are often referred to together as HIV/AIDS. People with HIV have what is
called HIV infection. As a result, some will then develop AIDS. The development of numerous
opportunistic infections in an AIDS patient can ultimately lead to death.

According to research, the origins of HIV date back to the late nineteenth or early twentieth century in
west-central Africa. AIDS and its cause, HIV, were first identified and recognized in the early 1980s.

There is currently no cure for HIV/AIDS. Treatments can slow the course of the disease - some infected
people can live a long and relatively healthy life.

Estimated HIV/AIDS prevalence among young adults (15-49) by country as of 2008. UNAIDS 2008 report
What is the difference between HIV and AIDS?
HIV is the virus which attacks the T-cells in the immune system.

AIDS is the syndrome which appears in advanced stages of HIV infection.

HIV is a virus.

AIDS is a medical condition.

HIV infection causes AIDS to develop. However, it is possible to be infected with HIV without developing
AIDS. Without treatment, the HIV infection is allowed to progress and eventually it will develop into
AIDS in the vast majority of cases.

HIV testing can identify infection in the early stages. This allows the patient to use prophylactic
(preventive) drugs which will slow the rate at which the virus replicates, delaying the onset of AIDS.

AIDS patients still have the HIV virus and are still infectious. Someone with AIDS can pass HIV to
someone else.
What are the signs and symptoms of HIV/AIDS?
What is the difference between a sign and a symptom? A sign is something other people, apart from
the patient can detect, such as a swelling, rash, or change in skin color. A symptom is something only the
patient feels and describes, such as a headache, fatigue, or dizziness.





For the most part, the symptoms of HIV are the result of infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and
parasites. These conditions do not normally develop in individuals with healthy immune systems, which
protect the body against infection.

Signs and symptoms of early HIV infection

Many people with HIV have no symptoms for several years. Others may develop symptoms similar to
flu, usually two to six weeks after catching the virus. The symptoms can last up to four weeks.

Symptoms of early HIV infection may include:
fever
chills
joint pain
muscle ache
sore throat
sweats (particularly at night)
enlarged glands
a red rash
tiredness
weakness
weight loss
Asymptomatic HIV infection

In many cases, after the initial symptoms disappear, there will not be any further symptoms for many
years. During this time, the virus carries on developing and damages the immune system. This process
can take up to 10 years. The infected person will experience no symptoms, feel well and appear healthy.

Late-stage HIV infection

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

Signs and symptoms of late-stage HIV infection may include:
blurred vision
diarrhea, which is usually persistent or chronic
dry cough
fever of above 37C (100F) lasting for weeks
night sweats
permanent tiredness
shortness of breath
swollen glands lasting for weeks
weight loss
white spots on the tongue or mouth
During late-stage HIV infection, the risk of developing a life-threatening illness is much greater.
Examples include:
esophagitis (an inflammation of the lining of the lower end of the esophagus)
infections to the nervous system (acute aseptic meningitis, subacute encephalitis, peripheral
neuropathy)
pneumonia
some cancers, such as Kaposi's sarcoma, invasive cervical cancer, lung cancer, rectal carcinomas,
hepatocellular carcinomas, head and neck cancers, cancers of the immune system known as
lymphomas
toxoplasmosis (a disease caused by a parasite that infects the brain. It can also cause disease in
the eyes and lungs)
tuberculosis
Life-threatening illnesses may be controlled and treated with proper HIV treatment.
What causes HIV/AIDS?
HIV is a retrovirus that infects the vital organs of the human immune system. The disease progresses in
the absence of antiretroviral therapy. The rate of disease progression varies widely between individuals
and depends on many factors (age of the patient, body's ability to defend against HIV, access to health
care, existence of coexisting infections, the infected person's genetic inheritance, resistance to certain
strains of HIV).

HIV can be transmitted through:
Sexual transmission. It can happen when there is contact with infected sexual secretions (rectal,
genital or oral mucous membranes). This can happen while having unprotected sex, including
vaginal, oral and anal sex or sharing sex toys with someone infected with HIV.
Perinatal transmission. The mother can pass the infection on to her child during childbirth,
pregnancy, and also through breastfeeding.
Blood transmission. The risk of transmitting HIV through blood transfusion is nowadays
extremely low in developed countries, thanks to meticulous screening and precautions. Among
drug users, sharing and reusing syringes contaminated with HIV-infected blood is extremely
hazardous.

Thanks to strict protection procedures the risk of accidental infection for healthcare workers is
low.

Individuals who give and receive tattoos and piercings are also at risk and should be very careful.
Myths: There are many misconceptions about HIV and AIDS. The virus CANNOT be transmitted from:
shaking hands
hugging
casual kissing
sneezing
touching unbroken skin
using the same toilet
sharing towels
sharing cutlery
mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
or other forms of "casual contact"
How is HIV/AIDS diagnosed?
A 2011 report issued by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), USA, found that about 1
in every 5 HIV-positive Americans is unaware of their HIV-status, and only 49% of those who are aware
receive ongoing medical care and treatment. (Link to article)

HIV blood test

Diagnosis is made through a blood test that screens specifically for the virus.

If the HIV virus has been found, the test result is "positive". The blood is re-tested several times before a
positive result is given to the patient.

For those whose tests came back positive, they will be asked to undergo some other tests to see how
the infection has progressed, and also to decide when to start treatment.

If a person has been exposed to the virus, it is crucial that they get tested as soon as possible. The earlier
HIV is detected, the more likely the treatment will be successful. Also, precautions can be taken to
prevent the virus from spreading to other people.

After infection with HIV, it can take up from three weeks to three months for the virus to show up in
testing. Re- testing may be necessary.

If a patient's most at risk moment of becoming HIV infected was within the last three months, he/she
can have the test immediately. However, a good doctor will urge that another test be carried out within
a few weeks.


Ultra-sensitive HIV sensor - scientists from Imperial College London reported in Nature Nanotechnology
(October 2012 issue) that they have developed an extremely sensitive sensor that detects viral
infections, including HIV. They say the sensor is ten times more sensitive at detecting an HIV biomarker
that anything else on the market today; it is also extremely cheap. The doctor can see the results by
looking at the color change in a liquid solution.
What are the treatment options for HIV/AIDS?
Currently, there is no vaccine or cure for HIV/AIDS. But treatments have evolved which are much more
efficacious - they can improve patients' general health and quality of life considerably.

Emergency HIV pills. If an individual believes they have been exposed to the virus within the last 72
hours (three days), anti-HIV medication, called PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) may stop infection. The
treatment should be taken as soon as possible after contact with the virus.

PEP is a very demanding treatment lasting four weeks. It is also associated with unpleasant side effects
(diarrhea, malaise, nausea, weakness and fatigue).

After a positive HIV diagnosis, regular blood tests are necessary to monitor the progress of the virus
before starting treatment. The therapy is designed to reduce the level of HIV in the blood.

Antiretroviral drugs. HIV is treated with antiretrovirals (ARVs). The treatment fights the HIV infection
and slows down the spread of the virus in the body. Generally, patients take a combination of
medications called HAART (highly active antiretroviral therapy).

The combination of drugs is adapted to each individual. HIV treatment is usually permanent and lifelong.
HIV treatment is based on routine dosage. Pills must be taken on a regular schedule, every time.
Common side effects include nausea, fatigue, diarrhea, skin rashes, moodiness, alterations to the
adipose (fat) tissue, birth defects.

Complementary or alternative medicine. Although widely used, alternative/complementary
medications, such has herbal ones, have not been proven to be effective or ineffective. According to
some limited studies, mineral or vitamin supplements may provide some benefits. Patients are urged to
discuss these options with their doctors.
What is the difference between a sign and a symptom? A sign is something other people, apart from
the patient can detect, such as a swelling, rash, or change in skin color. A symptom is something only the
patient feels and describes, such as a headache, fatigue, or dizziness.


Prevention
Unprotected sex. Having sex without a condom can put a person at risk of being infected with HIV and
other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). HIV can be spread by having unprotected sex (vaginal, oral
and anal sex). It can also be caught from sharing sex toys with someone infected with HIV.

Drug abuse and needle sharing. Intravenous drug use is an important factor in HIV transmission in
developed countries. Sharing needles can expose users to HIV and other viruses, such as hepatitis C.

Strategies such as needle-exchange programs are used to reduce the infections caused by drug abuse.

Body fluid exposure. Exposure to HIV can be controlled by employing precautions to reduce the risk of
exposure to contaminated blood. At all times, health care workers should use barriers (gloves, masks,
protective eyewear, shields, and gowns). Frequent and thorough washing of the skin immediately after
being contaminated with blood or other bodily fluids can reduce the chance of infection.

Pregnancy. Anti-HIV medicines can harm the unborn child. But an effective treatment plan can prevent
HIV transmission from mother to baby. Precautions have to be taken to protect the babys health.
Delivery through caesarean section may be necessary. Breastfeeding may have to give way to bottle-
feeding if the mother is infected. A study by scientists from Columbia University, New York, found that
breastfeeding for 6+ months with antiretroviral therapy could help reduce mother-to-child HIV
transmission as well as improve chances of infant's survival. (Link to article)

Education. Health education is an important factor in reducing risky behavior.
Managing HIV
Adherence. HIV treatment is effective if the patient is committed and constant in taking the medication
on time. Missing even a few doses will jeopardize the treatment. A daily methodical routine has to be
programmed to fit the treatment plan around the patient's lifestyle and schedule. "Adherence" is
sometimes known as "compliance".

General Health. It is crucial for patients to take medication correctly and take steps to avoid illness.
Patients should seek to improve their general health and reduce the risk of falling ill by practicing regular
exercise, healthy eating, and not smoking.

Additional precautions. HIV-infected people should be extra cautious to prevent exposure to infection.
They should be careful around animals, avoid coming into contact with cat litter, animal feces.
Meticulous and regular washing of hands is recommended.

Long-term condition. HIV is a lasting condition, and therefore patients have to be in regular contact with
their healthcare team. Treatment plan is reviewed regularly.

Psychological. Common misconceptions about AIDS/ HIV are diminishing. However, the stigma of the
disease persists in many parts of the world. People infected with the virus may feel excluded, rejected,
discriminated and isolated.

Being diagnosed with HIV can be very distressing, and feelings of anxiety or depression are common. If
you feel anxious or have symptoms of depression








The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is one of the most serious, deadly diseases in human history.
HIV causes a condition called acquired immunodeficiency syndrome better known as AIDS.

HIV destroys a type of defense cell in the body called a CD4 helper lymphocyte (pronounced: lim-fuh-
site). These lymphocytes are part of the body's immune system, the defense system that fights
infections. When HIV destroys these lymphocytes, the immune system becomes weak and people can
get serious infections that they normally wouldn't.
As the medical community learns more about how HIV works, they've been able to develop medications
to inhibit it (meaning they interfere with its growth). These medicines have been successful in slowing
the progress of the disease.
If people with HIV get treated, they can live long, relatively healthy lives just as people who have
other chronic diseases like diabetes can. But, as with diabetes or asthma, there is still no cure for HIV
and AIDS.

Thousands of U.S. teens and young adults get infected with HIV each year. HIV can be transmitted from
an infected person to another person through blood, semen (also known as "cum," the fluid released
from the penis when a male ejaculates), vaginal fluids, and breast milk.
The virus is spread through what doctors call "high-risk behaviors," which include things like:
having unprotected oral, vaginal, or anal sexual intercourse ("unprotected" means not using a
condom)
sharing needles, such as needles used to inject drugs, steroids, and other substances, or sharing
needles used for tattooing
Other risk factors:
People who have another sexually transmitted disease (STD) (such as syphilis, genital herpes,
chlamydia, gonorrhea, or bacterial vaginosis) are at greater risk for getting HIV during sex
with infected partners.
If a woman with HIV is pregnant, her newborn baby can catch the virus from her before birth,
during the birthing process, or from breastfeeding.

If doctors know a mom-to-be has HIV, they can usually prevent the spread of the virus from
mother to baby. So all pregnant women should be tested for HIV so they can begin treatment
if necessary
How Does HIV Affect the Body?
A healthy body has CD4 helper lymphocyte cells (CD4 cells). These cells help the immune
system function normally and fight off certain kinds of infections. They do this by acting as
messengers to other types of immune system cells, telling them to become active and fight against an
invading germ.
HIV attaches to these CD4 cells. The virus then infects the cells and uses them as a place to
multiply. In doing so, the virus destroys the ability of the infected cells to do their job in the
immune system. The body then loses the ability to fight many infections.
Because their immune systems are weakened, people who have AIDS are unable to fight off many
infections, particularly tuberculosis and other kinds of otherwise rare infections of the lung (such as
Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia), the surface covering of the brain (meningitis), or the brain itself
(encephalitis). People who have AIDS tend to keep getting sicker, especially if they are not taking
antiviral medications properly.
AIDS can affect every body system. The immune defect caused by having too few CD4 cells also
permits some cancers that are stimulated by viral illness to occur some people with AIDS get forms
of lymphoma and a rare tumor of blood vessels in the skin called Kaposi's sarcoma.
Because AIDS is fatal, it's important that doctors detect HIV infection as early as possible so a person
can take medication to delay the onset of AIDS.
How Do People Know They Have HIV?
Severe symptoms of HIV infection and AIDS may not appear for as long as 10 years (or more for
some people). For years leading up to that, people with HIV may not notice any signs that they have
the virus.
How long it takes for symptoms of HIV/AIDS to appear varies from person to person. Some people
may feel and look healthy for years while they are infected with HIV. It is still possible to infect
others with HIV, even if the person with the virus has absolutely no symptoms. You cannot
tell simply by looking at someone whether he or she is infected.
Doctors diagnose someone with AIDS when that person's blood lacks the number of CD4 cells required
to fight infections. Doctors also diagnose AIDS if the person has signs of specific illnesses or diseases
that occur in people with HIV infection.
When a person's immune system is overwhelmed by AIDS, he or she might notice:
extreme weakness or fatigue
rapid weight loss
frequent fevers that last for several weeks with no explanation
heavy sweating at night
swollen lymph glands
minor infections that cause skin rashes and mouth, genital, and anal sores
white spots in the mouth or throat
chronic diarrhea
a cough that won't go away
trouble remembering things
in girls, severe vaginal yeast infections that don't respond to usual treatment

How Can It Be Prevented?
One of the reasons that HIV is so dangerous is that a person can have the virus for a long
time without knowing it. That person can then spread the virus to others through high-risk
behaviors.
HIV transmission can be prevented by:
not having oral, vaginal, or anal sex (abstinence)
always using latex condoms for all types of sexual intercourse
avoiding contact with the bodily fluids through which HIV is transmitted
never sharing needles
How Do Doctors Test for and Treat HIV?
Doctors now recommend that all people have at least one HIV test by the time they are teens. If you
are having sex, have had sex in the past, or shared needles with someone else, your doctor
will probably recommend that you get tested at least once a year.
If you have questions about HIV and want to get tested, you can talk to your family doctor,
pediatrician, adolescent doctor, or gynecologist.
People also can get tested for HIV/AIDS at pretty much any clinic or hospital in the country.
Clinics offer both anonymous testing (meaning the clinic doesn't know a person's name) and
confidential testing (meaning they know who a person is but keep it private). Most clinics will ask you
to follow up for counseling to get your results, whether the test is negative or positive.
The HIV test can be either a blood test or a swab of the inside of your cheek. Depending on what type
of test is done, results may take from a few minutes to several days. Let the doctor know the best
way to reach you confidentially with any test results.
If you had unprotected sex with someone you know has HIV or if you were raped or forced to have
sex by someone, see your doctor or go to the emergency room right away. They they might be able to
give you medications to prevent HIV infection (within 72 hours), and do the appropriate follow-up
testing.
If you're not sure how to find a doctor or get an HIV test, you can contact the National AIDS Hotlines
at (800) 342-AIDS (English) or (800) 344-7432 (Spanish). A specialist there will explain what you
should do next.
There is no cure for HIV. That's why prevention is so important. Combinations of antiviral
drugs and drugs that boost the immune system have allowed many people with HIV to resist
infections, stay healthy, and prolong their lives, but these medications are not a cure. Right now there
is no vaccine to prevent HIV and AIDS, although researchers are working on developing one.











AIDS (Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome) is a disease caused by a virus called HIV (Human
Immunodeficiency Virus). The illness alters the immune system, making
people much more vulnerable to infections and diseases. This susceptibility
worsens as the disease progresses. HIV
HIV pathogens infect and destroy the T helper cells of the immune system, and without these the
immune system does not respond adequately to infection. (T helper cells (T
h
cells) are a sub-
group of lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, that play an important role in the immune
system, particularly in the adaptive immune system. These cells have no cytotoxic or phagocytic
activity; they cannot kill infected host cells or pathogens. Rather, they help other immune cells
they activate and direct other immune cells.)
When T-Cell numbers are low, the body is particularly vulnerable to infection by anything from
the common cold to tuberculosis. Thus, AIDS is not a disease, HIV is the virus that causes AIDs
which is a syndrome.
Statistics
5.9 million children are estimated to have been orphaned by AIDs
25% of Zimbabwe is infected with HIV
34 million people are infected with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa.
Features
Table 4: Features of HIV/AIDS
Pathogen Human immunodefieciency virus (HIV)
Transmission method
Exchange of body fluids (sexual intercourse, intravenous needle
sharing, blood transfusions)
Incubation
HIV has a few weeks, but AIDs may not develop for up to ten
years
Symptoms
HIV - fever and then none AIDs - hugely increased susceptibility
to disease, such as pneumonia and TB.
Annual infected/new
incidence/mortality worldwide
33.4 million/6 million/2.5 million





What is the difference between HIV and AIDS?
HIV is the virus which attacks the T-cells in the immune system.

AIDS is the syndrome which appears in advanced stages of HIV infection.

HIV is a virus.

AIDS is a medical condition.

HIV infection causes AIDS to develop. However, it is possible to be infected with HIV without developing
AIDS. Without treatment, the HIV infection is allowed to progress and eventually it will develop into
AIDS in the vast majority of cases. AIDS or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is the advanced stage
of this disease, when the immune system becomes irreparably damaged, engendering multiple
infections and cancers.

HIV destroys a type of defense cell in the body called a CD4 helper lymphocyte (pronounced: lim-fuh-
site). These lymphocytes are part of the body's immune system, the defense system that fights
infections. When HIV destroys these lymphocytes, the immune system becomes weak and people can
get serious infections that they normally wouldn't.
Myths: There are many misconceptions about HIV and AIDS. The virus CANNOT be transmitted from:
shaking hands
hugging
casual kissing
sneezing
touching unbroken skin
using the same toilet
sharing towels
sharing cutlery
mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
or other forms of "casual contact"
Statistics: Worldwide
More than 34 million people now live with HIV/AIDS.
3.4 million of them are under the age of 15.
In 2011, an estimated 2.5 million people were newly infected with HIV.
330,000 were under the age of 15.
Every day nearly 7,000 people contract HIVnearly 300 every hour.
In 2011, 1.7 million people died from AIDS.
230,000 of them were under the age of 15.
Since the beginning of the epidemic, more than 60 million people have contracted HIV
and nearly 30 million have died of HIV-related causes.
The Regional Picture
Sub-Saharan Africa
More than two-thirds (69 percent) of all people living with HIV, 23.5 million, live in sub-
Saharan Africaincluding 91 percent of the worlds HIV-positive children. In 2011, an
estimated 1.7 million people in the region became newly infected. An estimated 1.2 million
adults and children died of AIDS, accounting for 71 percent of the worlds AIDS deaths in 2011.
Asia and the Pacific
In Asia and the Pacific, more than 390,000 people became newly infected in 2011, bringing the
total number of people living with HIV/AIDS there to more than 5 million. AIDS claimed an
estimated 331,000 lives in the region in 2011.
Caribbean
More than 13,000 people became newly infected in the Caribbean in 2011, bringing the total
number of people living with HIV/AIDS there to more than 230,000. AIDS claimed an estimated
10,000 lives in 2011.
Central and South America
There were an estimated 86,000 new HIV/AIDS infections and 57,000 AIDS-related deaths in
Central and South America in 2011. This region currently has 1.4 million people living with
HIV/AIDS.
North Africa and the Middle East
Approximately 330,000 people are living with HIV in this region and an estimated 39,000 people
became newly infected in 2011. An estimated 25,000 adults and children died of AIDS.
Eastern Europe and Central Asia
Some 170,000 people were newly infected with HIV in 2011, bringing the number of people
living with HIV/AIDS to 1.5 million. HIV/AIDS claimed 90,000 lives in 2011.
Western and Central Europe
In 2011, there were 30,000 new cases of HIV, bringing the number of people living with HIV in
Western and Central Europe to 860,000. An estimated 9,300 people in these regions died of
AIDS in 2011.
Source: UNAIDS Fact Sheet 2012; Kaiser Family Foundation.

(Last updated July 2012)