Aids
Introduction/Overview
AIDS, or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome is a deadly disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It attacks the human immune system and stops the body from fighting off many diseases, including those caused by various viruses, fungi and bacteria. The diseases and infections that a healthy immune system could successfully drive away, such as meningitis or pneumonia, can cause death if you have AIDS/HIV.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
The symptoms of AIDS are dependent on how advanced the disease is when first diagnosed. The very first symptoms might seem a lot like the flu with a headache, sore throat, and a fever. You might also have a rash or swollen lymph glands. One of the problems with AIDS is that even if you have no symptoms at all, you can still infect others with the disease.
The AIDS virus develops in the nymph nodes and targets T-cells, which help to keep your immune system strong and efficient. Even if you have no AIDS symptoms, the virus is still active and still destroying your T cells. After around ten years or so, you may start to get more symptoms, such as feeling short of breath, losing weight, having a fever or diarrhea. One of the keys to knowing for sure it is AIDS is the swelling of lymph nodes.
You are not said to officially have AIDS until you have a positive HIV-antibody test and you develop any of the following indicators: an infection, such as pneumocystis carinii pneumonia or a CD4 lymphocyte which is 200 or less. Up until then you would have had a count of eight to twelve hundred.
At this more advanced state of the virus, you will have constant headaches, chronic diarrhea, a fever of more than 100 for multiple weeks, shaking chills, night sweats and ongoing fatigue. You are more susceptible to developing cancers and other diseases.
Known Causes
Your T cells, or CD4 lymphocytes, are the continuous target of HIV. The virus enters the cells and then duplicates itself within them. The HIV duplicates enter the blood and search for more cells to overtake. This process is so swift that every day billions of cells are attacked. Eventually you do not have enough CD4 cells to help the immune system fight off viruses and diseases.
Treatments and Procedures
While there is no treatment which can cure AIDS, seven types of anti-retroviral medications can now extend the lives of those infected with AIDS for many years. What is troubling is that some strains of HIV/AIDS have become resistant to the most-used medications and new ones are in constant need of development.
The drugs are used in combinations together, hence the “triple cocktail” nickname for three of them which are taken together. These drugs include nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), protease inhibitors (PIs), non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NtRTIs), fusion inhibitors, integrase inhibitors, and Chemokine co-receptor inhibitors (CCR5 antagonists).
Prevention/Vaccination
There is still no AIDS vaccine which can prevent or cure the disease. You can become infected through semen, blood, breast milk, and vaginal secretions. Education about how AIDS/HIV transmission is the best way to prevent the infection. When you have HIV, dating can have serious consequences.
Don’t have unprotected sex with anyone unless they have tested negative for HIV. Use a new latex or polyurethane condom every time you have sex.
If you inject drugs, always use a clean needle. Never share needles. Circumcision has been proven to lessen the chances of men acquiring AIDS through heterosexual sex. Also, be careful of blood products. Not every country is good at screening their blood supply. Get an HIV test immediately if you have put yourself in an at-risk situation. If you are diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, it’s very important to wear a medical alert bracelet or carry a medical ID card identifying your disease, meds, and who to call in case of emergency.
Prognosis/Management
If you have HIV/AIDS, get a doctor who is experienced in AIDS treatment. Make sure to take your medications as prescribed and let your doctor know right away if your HIV symptoms change. Also, get vaccinations regularly for the flu and pneumonia. Eat healthy, including plenty of fruits and vegetables, so that you can maintain a strong immune system.
Alternative Treatments & Products
There are not many alternative treatments for HIV and AIDS. Some of those used to complement AIDS medications include ayurveda and Chinese acupuncture, chiropractic treatment, massage therapy, yoga, and various botanical remedies.