HIV infection is a disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus, characterized by acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, which contributes to the emergence of secondary infections and malignant neoplasms due to a deep suppression of the body's defenses.
A feature of the virus-causative agent of HIV infection is the development of a sluggish infectious and inflammatory process in the human body, as well as a long incubation period. In more detail about what kind of disease it is, what are the causes of its development, symptoms and transmission routes, as well as what is prescribed as treatment, we will consider further.
What is HIV infection?
HIV infection is a slowly progressive viral disease that affects the immune system, the extreme stage of which is AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a retrovirus from the genus of lentiviruses, infection with which inhibits activity immune system and leads to the development of slowly progressive disease HIV infection.
In the human body, nature has laid down a mechanism due to which immune cells produce antibodies that can resist microorganisms with foreign genetic information.
When antigens enter the body, lymphocytes begin to work in it. They recognize the enemy and neutralize it, but when the body is damaged by a virus, the protective barriers are destroyed and a person may die within a year after infection.
The main types of HIV:
- HIV-1 or HIV-1 - causes typical symptoms, very aggressive, is the main causative agent of the disease. Discovered in 1983, it is found in Central Africa, Asia and Western Europe, North and South America.
- HIV-2 or HIV-2 - HIV symptoms are not so intense, it is considered a less aggressive strain of HIV. Discovered in 1986, it is found in Germany, France, Portugal and West Africa.
- HIV-2 or HIV-2 are extremely rare.
Causes and ways of transmission
The higher the immune status of a healthy person, the lower the risk of getting an infection through contact with an HIV-infected patient. And vice versa - weak immunity will lead to an increased risk of infection and a severe course of the resulting disease.
A high viral load in a person with HIV in the body increases his danger as a carrier of the disease several times.
Ways of HIV transmission to humans:
- During intercourse without using a condom. And also during oral sex if there are cuts or injuries.
- The use of a syringe for injection, a medical instrument after a person infected with HIV.
- The ingestion of blood already infected with a virus into the human body. Occurs during treatment, blood transfusion.
- Infection of a child from a sick mother in the womb during childbirth or lactation.
- Using the tool after a person infected with HIV during cosmetic procedures, manicure or pedicure, tattooing, piercing, etc.
- The use of other people's personal hygiene items in everyday life, for example, shaving accessories, a toothbrush, toothpicks, etc.
How can you not get infected with HIV?
If there is an HIV-infected person in your environment, you must remember that you cannot become infected with HIV when:
- Coughing and sneezing.
- Handshake.
- Hugs and kisses.
- Sharing food or drinks.
- In pools, baths, saunas.
- Through "pricks" in transport and metro. Information about a possible infection through infected needles that HIV-infected people put on the seats, or try to inject people in a crowd with them, is nothing more than myths. The virus remains in the environment for an extremely short time, in addition, the content of the virus at the tip of the needle is too small.
HIV is an unstable virus, it quickly dies outside the host's body, is sensitive to the effects of temperature (reduces infectious properties at a temperature of 56 ° C, dies after 10 minutes when heated to 70-80 ° C). It is well preserved in blood and blood preparations prepared for transfusion.
At-risk groups:
- intravenous drug addicts;
- persons, regardless of orientation, using anal sex;
- recipients (recipients) of blood or organs;
- medical workers;
- persons involved in the sex industry, both prostitutes and their clients.
Without highly active antiretroviral therapy, the life expectancy of patients does not exceed 10 years. Application antiviral drugs allows to slow down the progression of HIV and the development of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome - AIDS. Signs and symptoms of HIV at different stages of the disease have their own color. They are varied and grow in severity of manifestation.
The first signs of HIV in adults
Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a retrovirus that causes HIV infection. Depending on the clinical signs of HIV infection, the following stages are distinguished:
- Incubation period.
- Primary manifestations: acute infection; asymptomatic infection; generalized lymphadenopathy.
- Secondary manifestations. damage to the skin and mucous membranes; persistent defeats internal organs; generalized diseases.
- Terminal stage.
HIV has no symptoms of its own and can be disguised as any infectious diseases... At the same time, bubbles, pustules, seborrheic dermatitis appear on the skin. The virus can be detected only with the help of tests: an HIV test.
The first signs to look out for are:
- Fever of unknown origin for more than 1 week.
- An increase in various groups of lymph nodes: cervical, axillary, inguinal - for no apparent reason (absence of inflammatory diseases), especially if lymphadenopathy does not go away within several weeks.
- Diarrhea for several weeks.
- The appearance of signs of candidiasis (thrush) of the oral cavity in an adult.
- Extensive or atypical localization of herpetic eruptions.
- A sharp decrease in body weight, regardless of any reason.
Symptoms of HIV infection
The course of HIV infection is quite diverse, all stages do not always take place, certain clinical signs may be absent. Depending on the individual clinical course, the duration of the disease can be as long as several months or 15-20 years.
The main symptoms of HIV infection:
- Enlargement of 2 or more lymph nodes, unconnected with each other, which are painless, and the skin above them does not change its color;
- Increased fatigue;
- A gradual decrease in CD4-lymphocytes, at a rate of approximately 0.05-0.07 × 10 9 / l per year.
Such symptoms accompany the patient from about 2 to 20 years or more.
In the human body, HIV goes through 5 stages, each of which is accompanied by certain signs and symptoms.
Stage 1 Human Immunodeficiency Virus
HIV infection stage 1 (window period, seroconversion, incubation period) - the period from infection of the body with a virus until the appearance of the first antibodies detected in it. Usually it is from 14 days to 1 year, which largely depends on the health of the immune system.
Stage 2 (acute phase)
The appearance of primary symptoms, which are subdivided into periods A, B, C.
- Period 2A - no symptoms.
- Period 2B - the first manifestations of infection, similar to the course of other infectious diseases.
- 2B - manifests itself in the form of herpes, pneumonia, but at this stage of the development of the disease, infections respond well to treatment. Period 2B lasts 21 days.
The latency period and its symptoms
The latent stage of HIV lasts up to 2-20 years or more. Immunodeficiency progresses slowly, the symptoms of HIV are expressed - by an increase in lymph nodes:
- They are elastic and painless, mobile, the skin retains its normal color.
- When diagnosing latent HIV infection, the number of enlarged nodes is taken into account - at least two, and their localization - at least 2 groups that are not connected by a general lymph flow (the exception is the inguinal nodes)
Stage 4 (pre-AIDS)
This stage begins when the level of CD4 + lymphocytes drops critically and approaches the figure of 200 cells in 1 μl of blood. As a result of such suppression of the immune system (its cellular link), the patient develops:
- recurrent herpes and, genitals,
- hairy leukoplakia of the tongue (whitish protruding folds and plaques on the lateral surfaces of the tongue).
In general, any infectious disease (for example, tuberculosis, salmonellosis, pneumonia) is more severe than in the general mass of people.
Stage 5 HIV infection (AIDS)
The terminal stage is characterized by irreversible changes, treatment is ineffective. The number of T-helpers (CD4 cells) falls below 0.05x109 / L, patients die in weeks or months from the onset of the stage. In drug addicts who have been using psychoactive substances for several years, the CD4 level can remain almost within the normal range, but severe infectious complications (abscesses, etc.) develop very quickly and lead to death.
The number of lymphocytes decreases so much that infections that would otherwise never occur to a person begin to cling to. These diseases are called AIDS-associated infections:
- Kaposi's sarcoma;
- brain;
- , bronchi or lungs;
- pneumocystis pneumonia;
- pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis, etc.
Pathogenic factors that accelerate the development of the disease from stage 1 to AIDS:
- Lack of timely and adequate treatment;
- Coinfection (joining other infectious diseases with HIV infection);
- Stress;
- Poor quality food;
- Elderly age;
- Genetic features;
- Bad habits - alcohol, smoking.
HIV has no symptoms of its own and can disguise for any infectious diseases. At the same time, bubbles, pustules, lichen appear on the skin. The virus can be detected only with the help of tests: an HIV test.
Diagnosis and test for HIV
If you suspect HIV infection, you need to contact an infectious disease specialist. The test can be taken anonymously at the AIDS Prevention and Control Center, which is located in every region. There, doctors provide consultations on all issues related to HIV infection and AIDS.
Given the fact that the course of the disease is characterized by the duration of the absence of pronounced symptoms, the diagnosis is possible only on the basis of laboratory tests, which boil down to the detection of antibodies to HIV in the blood or directly upon detection of the virus.
The acute phase predominantly does not determine the presence of antibodies, however, three months after the moment of infection, in about 95% of cases, they are detected.
HIV diagnosis consists of special tests:
- 1test - enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)... This is the most common diagnostic method. Three months after the virus enters the bloodstream, the amount of antibodies accumulates in the human body, which can be determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In about 1% of cases, it gives false positive or false negative results.
- 2nd test - immunoblot (Immune Blotting)... This test detects the presence of specific antibodies to HIV. The result can be positive, negative, and questionable (or uncertain). An indeterminate result may mean that HIV is present in the person's bloodstream, but the body has not yet developed the entire spectrum of antibodies.
- PCR or polymerase chain reaction used to define any infectious agent, including the HIV virus. In this case, its RNA is detected, and the pathogen can be identified at a very early stages(after infection, at least 10 days must pass).
- Rapid tests, thanks to which within 15 minutes you can determine the presence of HIV infection. There are several types of them:
- Most accurate test Is an immunochromatographic. The test consists of special strips on which capillary blood, urine or saliva is applied. If antibodies to HIV are detected, then the strip has a color and control line. If the answer is no, only a line is visible.
- Home use kits "OraSure Technologies1". Developer - America. This test was approved by the FDA.
Incubation period the HIV virus is 90 days. During this period, it is difficult to detect the presence of pathology, but this can be done by means of PCR.
Even after the final diagnosis of HIV infection, during the entire period of the disease, it is necessary to conduct regular laboratory studies of the patient in order to monitor the course of clinical symptoms and the effectiveness of treatment.
Treatment and prognosis
A cure for HIV has not yet been invented, a vaccine does not exist. It is impossible to remove the virus from the body, and this is a fact at this time. However, one should not lose hope: active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) can reliably slow down and even practically stop the development of HIV infection and its complications.
Mostly, treatment is etiotropic and implies the appointment of such drugs, due to which a decrease in the reproductive capabilities of the virus is ensured. In particular, these include the following drugs:
- nucleoside transcriptase inhibitors (otherwise known as NRTIs) corresponding to different groups: ziagen, videx, zerit, combined drugs (combivir, trizivir);
- nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (otherwise - NTIOT): stokrin, viramune;
- fusion inhibitors;
- protease inhibitors.
The main task of the attending specialist in the selection of a drug regimen for antiviral treatment of HIV is to minimize adverse reactions. In addition to using specific medicines the patient must necessarily carry out the correction of eating behavior, as well as the regime of work and rest.
In addition, one should consider that some HIV-infected people belong to the category of nonprogressors, who have viral particles in their blood, but the development of AIDS does not occur.
Factors slowing down the transition of HIV infection to the stage of AIDS:
- Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) started on time. In the absence of HAART, the patient's death occurs within 1 year from the date of the diagnosis of AIDS. It is believed that in regions where HAART is available, the life expectancy of HIV-infected people reaches 20 years.
- Absence side effects for taking antiretroviral drugs.
- Adequate treatment of comorbidities.
- Adequate food.
- Rejection of bad habits.
HIV infection is completely incurable; in many cases, antiviral therapy has little effect. Today, on average, HIV-infected people live 11-12 years, but careful therapy and modern medications will significantly lengthen the life of patients.
The main role in curbing the developing AIDS is played by the patient's psychological state and his efforts to comply with the prescribed regimen.
The symptoms of HIV are mistaken for those of acute respiratory illness, poisoning, and allergies. Therefore, every person who cares about their health should become more thoroughly familiar with this terrible disease. Human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV for short, is called the "plague of the 20th century." However, in the XI century, it takes place in large quantities. Today, this disease has been identified in almost all countries of the world. About 35 million people living with HIV were registered in 2013. However, there are also cases when a person is unaware of his illness, because the asymptomatic period can last up to 10 years.
What is HIV and AIDS
That the latter is the final stage of the former. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a stage in which a person's immunity is so affected that it can no longer fight even a minor infection. In this case, a simple SARS leads to death.
HIV infection is native to Central Africa, and it is believed that humans inherited the virus from great apes (chimpanzees) by biting or cutting carcasses. Further, the process of migration from this region led to widespread infection of people.
This virus belongs to the family of retroviruses (Retroviridae), the genus of lentiviruses (Lentivirus) - slow viruses. They are called slow because they are accompanied by a long incubation period.
What are the symptoms of HIV
The initial phase is called acute febrile and lasts for 1-7 weeks. It manifests itself 3-6 weeks after the virus has entered the body. However, signs of the acute stage can be detected only in every 2-3 infected. The rest have an asymptomatic phase. Early symptoms of HIV:
- feverish state, body temperature not higher than 37.5 ° С;
- pain in the head, eyes;
- pain in muscles, joints;
- skin rashes, sores on the body;
- general weakness, malaise;
- lack of appetite;
- weight loss;
- enlarged lymph nodes;
- sore throat, possibly pharyngitis, stomatitis;
- hepatomegaly.
The first signs of HIV infection are similar to ARVI diseases, and a person may not attach any importance to this. It is impossible to detect the presence of HIV without testing. This is followed by an asymptomatic phase, only 10% may have a fulminant deterioration.
The second stage is dangerous because the person does not feel any symptoms. As a result, the infected person does not start treatment and endangers loved ones, especially his sexual partner. As mentioned above, the asymptomatic phase can last up to 10 years. Only in a small part of patients is it possible to enlarge the lymph nodes (occipital, cervical, axillary, etc.). It is worth noting that in people at risk, such as drug addicts, smokers and people with chronic diseases, the asymptomatic stage is shortened and lasts from 1 to 5 years. There are facts when this period lasted 15 years. Children have a short and severe second stage.
The third phase - the last, is developed and is called AIDS. During this phase, concomitant illnesses appear. In a healthy person, the immune system copes with them. With a decrease in the body of infected T-lymphocytes, it is more difficult for him to fight viruses. AIDS has two stages, depending on the person's lost weight, which is a symptom of the stage.
Initial stage: loss of 10% of the original weight.
The last stage: loss of more than 10% of weight.
The first signs of AIDS are manifested in the form of fungal diseases, candidal stomatitis, shingles, herpes. The second stage manifests itself in even more serious concomitant diseases, such as pulmonary tuberculosis, intestinal helminthiasis, pneumonia, toxoplasmosis, etc. Disturbances in the nervous system are widespread, neuropsychic diseases occur. In general, AIDS symptoms such as weight loss, constantly elevated temperature up to 37 ° C, enlarged lymph nodes, loose stools, and general malaise are observed. Useful substances, ceasing to be absorbed by the body, do not come in the right amount.
Signs of HIV differ between men and women. Women have more symptoms. Painful critical days, ulcers on the genitals, mucus in the vagina, swollen lymph nodes in the groin, recurrent infections of the reproductive system, herpes in the mouth. In addition, general malaise, fatigue, headaches. In men, the primary signs are manifested on the skin in the form of a rash, loss of color in areas of the skin, as the most real symptom of this diagnosis. It appears 7-20 days after the infection enters a man's body. Inflammation lymph nodes in the groin area, under the armpits, on the neck. Moreover, these areas harden, but the pain is not felt. Fever with fever, headaches, loss of appetite, fatigue.
The manifestations of AIDS are dangerous because of their unpredictability, as well as the speed of destruction. In both men and women, HIV is accompanied by various sexually transmitted diseases.
Infection methods
There are many myths surrounding diseases such as HIV and AIDS. Especially about the ways of transmission of the disease. Sick people, despite the diagnosis, can continue to live in society without fear of infecting others. HIV is not transmitted by airborne droplets. Thus, kisses, hugs, a handshake cannot cause a terrible diagnosis. If an HIV-infected person sneezed nearby or swam in a public pool, bathhouse, sauna, he still cannot infect the people and visitors around. Sharing food is not the cause of infection. You can get infected in the following cases:
- During sexual intercourse. The virus is found in semen and vaginal secretions. More likely to get infected during anal sex, when sperm with the virus enters the body through the rectal mucosa. If you are unsure of your sexual partner, you should have safe sex, that is, use a condom.
- With blood transfusion. If blood containing the virus gets into healthy body infection occurs immediately.
- Drug addicts have a high risk of sharing syringes and needles.
- Pregnancy and childbirth. A child with HIV is not necessarily born with the same diagnosis. However, the possibility of penetration of the virus through the placenta exists. There is a greater likelihood of transmission of the virus to the child from the mother through breast milk, therefore breastfeeding in such cases is strictly contraindicated.
In order to avoid a fatal diagnosis, it is recommended to periodically be tested for the presence of HIV infection in the blood. In hospitals, tattoo parlors, you should check and insist that all tools are treated with antibacterial agents. When changing sexual partners, after piercing, any contact with blood, you should be tested for HIV. To do this, you need to donate blood in free centers for the presence of antibodies to HIV in the blood. This procedure is called enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or ELISA. Saliva can be a biomaterial for such analyzes. There are three types of diagnoses:
- Positive.
- Negative.
- Doubtful.
Most often, the virus is detected 6 or more months after the infection enters the human body.
As you know, there is still no cure for HIV and AIDS in the world, but early detection and timely treatment guarantee a longer life expectancy and improved well-being throughout the disease. At home, this disease is incurable. In modern conditions, HIV infection is not becoming a fatal diagnosis, but chronic disease... Using modern drugs, with AIDS, you can return to health and live a normal life.
Is an abbreviation of the term "Human Immunodeficiency Virus". The virus attacks the immune system of the human body, introducing HIV infection into it. As it develops, this infection manifests itself in various symptoms, combined in the "acquired immunodeficiency syndrome" or AIDS.
Fundamental differences between AIDS and HIV:
AIDS (AIDS) is a state of immunity in which the body is practically defenseless against the harmful effects of the environment and the development of oncological processes. Any infection that is harmless for a healthy person is transformed in an AIDS patient into serious disease with subsequent death from complications, inflammation of the brain,;
HIV infection is a slowly developing viral infection with a long-term course. All currently known methods of treating HIV infection do not lead to a complete cure. The disease affects the immune system that protects the human body from negative impacts external environment. A virus, having entered the body from a carrier of the disease, may not manifest itself for a long time, but over several years it consistently destroys the immune system.
Facts, history and statistics of HIV infection
The danger and rate of spread of HIV infection are so great that it was called the "plague of the 20th century." Every day about 5 thousand people die from the consequences of this disease in the world. Until recently, nothing was known to mankind about this deadly disease. It was only in the 70s of the last century that the first cases of the disease with symptoms similar to AIDS were recorded.
The first facts of official recognition of the existence of HIV infection:
1981 - the publication of scientific articles describing the unusual course of pneumocystis pneumonia caused by a yeast-like fungus and malignant skin lesions (Kaposi's sarcoma) in men with non-traditional sexual orientation;
July 1982 - the appearance of the term "AIDS";
1983 - the simultaneous discovery of the virus in two independent laboratories: at the French Institute. Louis Pasteur (research leader - Luc Montagnier) and at the American National Cancer Institute (leader - Robert Gallo);
1985 - development of a method of enzyme immunoassay, which determines the presence of antibodies to the immunodeficiency virus in the blood;
1987 - the first person infected with HIV appears in the USSR. The man worked as a translator in African countries, had homosexual relationships;
About the history of the emergence of HIV
There are several hypotheses for the emergence of the human immunodeficiency virus. One of them is infection from great apes. Researchers have isolated a virus from the blood of chimpanzees living in Central Africa that can cause it in the human body. It is possible that a person could become infected by being bitten by a monkey or by contact with raw animal meat.
This type of virus is not capable of causing significant harm to the human body, since the immune defense is capable of destroying it within 7 days. In order for it to acquire the properties characteristic of HIV infection, it is required to transfer it to another person in this short period. In this case, mutations occur with the virus, and it acquires characteristics that are dangerous for humans.
In addition to this hypothesis, it is suggested that AIDS existed long before its official discovery by science, affecting the indigenous people of Central Africa. Its rapid spread across countries and continents began thanks to active migration in the twentieth century.
Statistics on the number of HIV-infected
Ukraine - about 410 thousand,
Kazakhstan - about 20 thousand,
Belarus - more than 30 thousand,
Moldova - 17800,
Georgia - 6600,
Armenia - 4000,
Tajikistan - 16400,
Azerbaijan - 4171,
Kyrgyzstan - about 10 thousand,
Turkmenistan - the authorities claim that there are isolated cases of HIV infection in the country,
Uzbekistan - about 33 thousand.
Globally, as of 01.12.2016, the number of infected people was 36.7 million.
In Russia, as of December 2016, there were about 800,000 people, and 90,000 were identified in 2015. In the same year, more than 25 thousand people died from AIDS in Russia, and over the entire observation period since 1987 - more than 200 thousand.
For the CIS countries (data at the end of 2015):
Since statistics only record officially detected cases, the actual picture is much worse. A huge number of people do not even suspect that they are HIV-infected, and continue to infect others.
Since the beginning of the spread of the infection, the number of deaths from AIDS has exceeded more than 36 million people worldwide. This epidemic can be contained and even improved annual mortality rates downward due to HAART (highly active antiretroviral therapy).
Notable persons who have died as a result of AIDS:
Rudolf Nureyev, a world famous ballet soloist, passed away in 1993;
Gia Carangi - American top Model, was addicted to hard drugs, died in 1986;
Michael Westfall is a promising tennis player who passed away at the age of 26.
Freddie Mercury - rock legend, soloist Queen groups... Passed away in 1991;
Ryan White is the first child to be infected with AIDS. He became famous for the fight for the rights of HIV-infected people to ordinary life, which he led with the support of his mother. He got infected at the age of 13 during a blood transfusion, which he needed due to a hereditary disease - hemophilia. He passed away at the age of 18, in 1990, leaving a memory of himself as a person who proved that HIV-infected people do not pose a threat to society if precautions are taken.
Despite close attention to the nature of the virus and the recognition of its exceptional danger to humans, scientists have made little progress in the search for an effective cure for AIDS. The peculiarity of HIV is that it mutates extremely quickly, mutating at a rate of 1000 mutations per gene. For comparison, mutations of the influenza virus occur 30 times less often. The rapid transformation of HIV has led to the fact that there is still no vaccine against this infection, there is no one hundred percent effective drug for the treatment of AIDS. The variety of virus strains creates additional problems.
The structure of the human immunodeficiency virus
The main types of HIV:
HIV-1 or HIV-1 - causes typical symptoms, is very aggressive, is the main causative agent of the disease. Discovered in 1983, it is found in Central Africa, Asia and Western Europe, North and South America.
HIV-2 or HIV-2 - HIV symptoms are not so intense, it is considered a less aggressive strain of HIV. Discovered in 1986, it is found in Germany, France, Portugal and West Africa.
HIV-2 or HIV-2 are extremely rare.
The virus has the shape of a sphere with a size of 100-120 nanometers. Its dense shell consists of a double layer of lipids, has peculiar "thorns", under the fat-like top layer there is a protein layer p-24-capsid.
Elements of the virus under the capsule:
Ribonucleic acid (RNA), which stores genetic information;
Virus enzymes: integrase, protease, reverse transcriptase;
Human immunodeficiency virus belongs to the family of retroviruses that do not synthesize protein and do not have cellular structure... Reproduction of such a virus occurs extremely slowly, exclusively in the cells of the human body.
Thanks to one of their enzymes, reverse transcriptase, retroviruses convert their own RNA molecule into DNA. Then they introduce this guardian and transmitter of genetic information into the cells of the organism in which they are located.
Resistance to the external environment:
Outside the host dies within a few minutes;
At t over 56 ° C, it dies in half an hour;
When boiled, it dies instantly;
Dies very quickly under the influence of ether, acetone, 5% hydrogen peroxide solution, 70% alcohol, chloramine solution;
In a dried state at t + 22 ° C, it lasts from 4 to 6 days;
In solution, heroin lasts up to 3 weeks;
In the cavity of a medical needle, it remains viable for several days.
The virus is not affected by ultraviolet and ionizing radiation; after freezing, it remains active.
Features of the life cycle of the virus - prefers for the introduction of cells of the immune system:
Macrophages - absorbers and utilizers of pathogenic viruses and microorganisms;
T-lymphocytes (helpers) - stimulators of the immune system, producing substances to counteract foreign cells: viruses, fungi, microbes, allergens;
Monocytes - cells that digest pathogenic cells after their death;
Cells nervous system with special receptors - CD4 cells.
Phases of the HIV life cycle (for example, T-lymphocyte)
The virus enters the body, finds a T-lymphocyte and binds on its surface with special receptors - CD4 cells. Having got into the cage with their help, he throws off his protective outer shell;
With the help of the reverse transcriptase enzyme, one DNA strand is synthesized on the RNA matrix of the virus, then it is completed into a 2-strand molecule;
With the help of the enzyme integrase, the DNA molecule is introduced into the nucleus of the T-lymphocyte and is incorporated into its DNA;
A molecule can be in a dormant state for several months or even years. A test for antibodies to the virus at this stage can already detect its presence in the body;
Infection of any etiology can provoke further multiplication of the virus by transferring information from a copy of DNA to the RNA matrix of the virus;
With the help of the ribosomes of the cell, HIV proteins are synthesized on viral RNA;
New viruses are assembled from the RNA matrix and new synthesized proteins. Leaving the cell, they destroy it;
New viruses find themselves new cells to implant (other T-lymphocytes), the cycle repeats.
Without counteraction in the form of treatment, the human immunodeficiency virus reproduces its own kind at a rate of 10 to 100 billion per day.
Ways and risks of HIV infection
No one is immune from HIV infection; a person of any gender, age, social status, sexual orientation and financial situation is a target for the virus. The source of its distribution is an HIV-infected person, regardless of the stage of development of the disease.
The medium that transmits the virus is blood, semen, breast milk, vaginal discharge, cerebrospinal fluid, that is, the biological fluids of the human body. It is impossible to get HIV by airborne droplets. The infectious dose is at least 10 thousand viral particles that have entered the bloodstream.
Ways of HIV infection:
Unprotected heterosexual contact. Vaginal sex is the most common way of transmission of the virus from person to person (70-80% of the total infected worldwide). In Russia, 40% of those infected with HIV received the virus in this way.
Single intercourse with ejaculation carries minimal risk. For a passive partner, it is equal to 0.1-0.32%, for an active partner - from 0.01 to 0.1%. These values increase if one of the partners has sexually transmitted diseases (chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, trichomoniasis, etc.). In the focus of inflammation, there is always a high concentration of cells of the immune system, for example, T-lymphocytes. The Human Immunodeficiency Virus will certainly take advantage of this situation.
With genital infections, the mucous membrane of the reproductive organs is often prone to inflammation and microtrauma in the form of ulcers, cracks and erosions. This is another factor of increased risk of contracting HIV.
Repetitive sex significantly increases the risk of infection. A man infected with HIV, within 3 years, in 45-50% of cases, necessarily infects his regular partner, and a woman with HIV infection in 35-40% of cases infects a regular partner. For women, this risk is higher, as the infected sperm stay in contact with the vaginal mucosa for longer and cover a larger area.
Intravenous drug use. For Russia, this route of infection is typical in 57.9% of cases, global statistics are 5-10%. Drug addicts are infected through common drug injection pins that are not sterilized, possibly through a common preparation container intravenous solution... It is this route of infection that is typical for 30-35% of cases. The rest of the indicators are related to infection due to promiscuous sexual intercourse of persons dependent on intravenous drugs.
Unprotected anal sex. The route of infection is typical for both homosexual and heterosexual contacts. Even with a single act, the risk of infection for a passive partner is 0.8-3.2%, and for an active partner - 0.06%. This difference is due to the vulnerability and good blood supply to the rectum.
Unprotected oral sex. With a single contact, ending with ejaculation, the risk of infection for a passive partner is 0.03-0.4%, and for an active partner it is practically safe. However, such contact becomes more dangerous if there are defects in the mucous membrane of the "jam" type, ulcers, wounds in the oral cavity.
Transmission of the virus to a child from an HIV-infected mother. In 25-35% of cases, babies become infected during childbirth through contact with fragments of the placenta, as well as during breastfeeding. A healthy woman can get the virus from an infected child when breastfeeding, if the baby has damage to the oral mucosa, and the woman has cracks in the nipples.
Accidental injuries during medical procedures, subcutaneous and intramuscular injections. The probability of infection is 0.2-1%, provided that there was contact with any body fluid of an infected person.
Blood transfusion and organ transplants. The probability of infection from an infected donor is almost 100%.
The higher the immune status of a healthy person, the lower the risk of getting an infection through contact with an HIV-infected patient. And vice versa - weak immunity will lead to an increased risk of infection and a severe course of the resulting disease. A high viral load in a person with HIV in the body increases his danger as a carrier of the disease several times.
HIV symptoms in men and women
It is almost impossible to identify the specific symptoms of HIV infection, since they are disguised as manifestations of other diseases. And the first sign and symptom of HIV in men and women as such does not exist at all. In addition, HIV infection has a different course depending on the state of the patient's immune system.
Stages of HIV infection in accordance with the clinical classification of V.I. Pokrovsky, adopted in Russia:
HIV symptoms at stage 1
Incubation lasts from the moment of infection to 1-1.5 months (in some cases up to a year), is characterized by active multiplication of the virus.
The first symptoms of HIV, both in men and women, are absent, testing does not reveal antibodies to the virus. The onset of infection is suspected in the presence of a dangerous situation: unprotected sex, blood transfusion.
HIV symptoms in stage 2
An immune response occurs to the invasion and multiplication of the virus. The first symptoms of HIV infection may appear before seroconversion. The second stage lasts from 2-3 weeks to several months.
There are 3 options for the flow of stage 2:
Stage 4 HIV symptoms
Kaposi's sarcoma - malignant tumor skin;
Symptoms at Stage 4B
Stage 4B develops 10-12 years after infection. It is characterized by the appearance of life-threatening diseases. The course of infections is extremely difficult, they are difficult to heal. However, this stage is also reversible with the use of HAART.
Typical symptoms of HIV and disease at stage 4B:
Extreme exhaustion, accompanied by weakness, patients are forced to spend most of their time in bed;
Pneumocystis pneumonia, a characteristic symptom of HIV infection, is caused by a fungus;
Recurrent herpes;
Fungal infection of the skin and internal organs: the esophagus, respiratory organs;
Cryptococcal meningitis, caused by soil fungus, does not occur in a healthy person;
Mycobacteriosis, which targets the gastrointestinal tract, brain, lungs, and central nervous system, are characteristic of HIV infection;
Diseases of the central nervous system (awkwardness in movements, dementia, absent-mindedness, impaired memory, intelligence) are the result of complications and the effect of the virus on the cells of the nervous system;
Damage to the heart and kidneys;
Oncological diseases.
Stage 5 HIV symptoms
The terminal stage develops as the patient's condition worsens. HIV stage 5 symptoms progress due to ineffective treatment of secondary infections. Deaths are frequent over several months.
All stages and manifestations of HIV infection are given for the average case. Not all infected people pass through them sequentially, they can skip some stages or stay at some of them. The duration of the disease depends on the state of the patient's immune system and the type of virus; it can last from 7-9 months to 20 years.
This classification of Pokrovsky is not the only one; there is a less structured WHO classification. However, specialists use a more detailed structure.
Features of HIV symptoms in men, women and children
In men, the symptoms are not specific. In women, they are noted with irregularities in the cycle, an increased risk of malignant degeneration of the tissues of the cervix. Inflammatory diseases pelvic organs in women infected with HIV occur 3 times more often, have a more severe course.
Children infected with HIV are delayed in mental and physical development compared to their peers.
An effective drug for a complete cure for this disease has not yet been created. However, there are many effective drugs that reduce viral load and improve the quality of life for HIV patients. With strict adherence to the recommendations for their intake, an increase in CD4 cells is noted and a minimum titer of HIV is recorded with the most sensitive diagnostic methods.
This result can be easily achieved with developed patient self-discipline: timely and continuous medication, adherence to the correct dosage.
The main directions of therapy:
Preservation of the quality of life of HIV-infected;
Prevention and temporary postponement of conditions that threaten the patient's life;
Achievement of remission with HAART and prevention of secondary infections;
Practical and psychological support for patients;
Provision of free medicines.
The principles of prescribing HAART by stage of the disease:
At the first stage, treatment is not carried out; in contact with HIV, chemoprophylaxis is performed;
In the second stage, treatment is carried out depending on the level of CD4 lymphocytes present;
At the third stage, HAART is prescribed if the patient actively wishes or if the RNA level exceeds 10 thousand copies and the CD4 lymphocyte level is less than 200 CD4 / mm3;
At the fourth stage, treatment is prescribed when the RNA level is more than 100 thousand copies and the level of CD4 lymphocytes is less than 200 CD4 / mm3;
The fifth stage is always accompanied by treatment.
Current HIV treatment standards are likely to be changed in line with recent research showing that early HAART treatment leads to better outcomes.
At the moment, therapy includes a combination of the following groups of drugs:
HIV protease inhibitors,
HIV nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors,
Non-nucleoside inhibitors of HIV reverse transcriptase.
There is evidence of the development of a new drug for the treatment of HIV infection - Quad, which is more effective and has less side effects... The drug is taken once a day and replaces several drugs.
HIV prevention measures
The assertion that it is easier to prevent a disease than to cure it later became an axiom. This is true for the prevention of AIDS and HIV infection.
Heterosexual and homosexual relationships:
Have one sex partner with a negative HIV status;
Protect sexual intercourse with a reliable condom (latex with standard lubrication).
Even such a condom cannot give a 100% guarantee of safe intercourse, since the virus can penetrate the pores of the latex. In addition, they can expand with friction. You can significantly reduce the risk of infection with the correct use of a condom: choosing the appropriate size, putting it on before intercourse, avoiding rupture (removing air between the latex layer and the genital organ). Condoms made from other materials are completely unreliable.
Intravenous injections for drug addiction and inability to stop taking drugs:
Single-use disposable spitz for injection;
Preparation of a solution for intravenous injection in an individual container.
Reducing the risk of conceiving a fetus in an HIV-infected woman:
Using the self-insemination method (with a non-HIV partner);
Disinfection of sperm for further fertilization (with an HIV-infected partner);
IVF (in vitro fertilization).
Before conception, a woman who decides to become an HIV-positive mother is informed of the possible risks to her health and the health of the fetus. Further, STDs, chronic pathologies are necessarily treated, factors that reduce the protective properties of the placenta are excluded: smoking, alcoholism, drug addiction. The key to successful gestation and birth healthy child- exact implementation of the recommendations of doctors, protecting yourself from infection, diagnostics for viral load and the level of CD4 cells.
A pregnant woman is taking the following medications:
HAART for the treatment and prevention of infection;
Iron preparations;
Multivitamins.
Pregnancy with HIV infection is resolved with a cesarean section to exclude the child's contact with cervical mucus and placenta, which contains a large amount of viruses.
Protection of medical personnel from infection:
Use of personal protective equipment (mask, glasses, gloves, clothing);
Disposal of used needles in special puncture-proof containers;
In case of accidental contact with infected body fluids - chemoprophylaxis with HAART;
In case of accidental contact of damaged skin with a supposedly infected environment - do not stop bleeding from a puncture or cut for a few seconds, treat with alcohol with a strength of at least 70%;
In case of accidental contact of intact skin with a biological environment - wash with soap under running water, wipe with 70% alcohol;
In case of contact with mouth - rinse with 70% alcohol;
In case of contact with eyes, rinse with running water;
In case of contact with shoes or clothes - wipe with a disinfectant solution or soak in it, wipe the skin under clothes with alcohol;
In case of contact with tiled floors and walls - pour disinfectant solution for half an hour, wipe.
HIV: answers to questions
Infection occurs from an HIV-infected patient, regardless of the stage of the disease. A healthy person becomes infected when a sufficient dose of the virus enters his bloodstream to become infected.
Virus transmission methods:
Heterosexual and homosexual unprotected intercourse with an HIV-infected partner. Most often, infection occurs in those who have promiscuous sex. The risk is increased with anal sex, regardless of the orientation of the sexual partners;
For drug addicts, when injecting drugs intravenously with non-sterile syringes, using one container for preparing a solution for injection;
Children from HIV-infected mothers during pregnancy, during childbirth, during breastfeeding;
During medical manipulations, injections associated with contact with contaminated body fluids;
With blood transfusion and donor organ transplantation, the situation may arise if the donor has a false negative result during the "window period".
According to the law on the protection of the rights of HIV-infected people, information about their status must be kept confidential and cannot be passed on to third parties. This measure allows you not to fear discrimination in the event of a positive result.
A blood test for HIV is carried out free of charge in two ways:
Anonymously. The test is assigned a number to obtain the result, and the name of the person taking the test remains secret;
Confidentially. The laboratory staff keep medical confidentiality, although they know the name and surname of the person being tested for HIV.
Testing is carried out:
At the Regional AIDS Prevention Center;
In the polyclinic at the place of residence in the anonymous testing room,
In private medical center with special features (paid).
Before and after testing, psychological support and counseling is provided to a person who has decided to conduct an HIV test. The test result can be obtained on the same day, or 2-3 to 14 days after diagnosis.
What if the HIV test is positive?
If the result is positive, an anonymous conversation with the doctor is conducted about the course of the disease, additional research and treatment methods needed, and possible risks and complications. Such advice can be obtained from the infectious disease doctor at your place of residence or at the regional center for the prevention and control of AIDS.
Mandatory research:
To determine the level of CD4 cells;
For the presence or absence of viral hepatitis;
Viral load;
For p-24-capsid antigen.
According to the indications, studies of the general immune status are carried out, for the causative agents of STDs, markers of malignant neoplasms, CT scans, etc.
By airborne droplets (when sneezing and coughing);
When using common cutlery;
In the bath, sauna, steam room;
When swimming in a pool, a common pond;
When bitten by an animal or insect;
During the physical examination;
In public places, in transport;
When using one toilet;
Through a kiss or handshake.
Sick viral hepatitis, for example, are much more dangerous to others than people infected with HIV.
These are people who deny the presence of the human immunodeficiency virus.
Their beliefs are based on the following reasons:
The virus has not been identified and cultured outside the human body... Nobody has seen HIV, so far only a set of proteins has been isolated, it is debatable that they belong to the same virus. In fact, there are a large number of photos of the virus taken with an electron microscope;
Patients die from AIDS therapy with antiviral drugs more often than without treatment. Indeed, the early treatments for HIV infection had many side effects. But modern drugs are effective and safe, besides, the newest, even more effective developments are constantly appearing;
AIDS is a conspiracy of pharmaceutical companies. If that were true, then companies would be offering a cure for a disease that is not available to this day;
AIDS is an autoimmune disease that does not have a viral nature. Allegedly, immunodeficiency is caused by toxic poisoning, stress, radiation and other reasons. The argument, in contrast to this statement, is that after patients start taking HAART, their condition improves. Such statements disorient patients, and some of them refuse treatment. In fact, the special therapy started on time allows HIV-infected people to lead ordinary life, have healthy children, and work. In this case, the course of the disease slows down, life expectancy is maintained. All this is possible provided that the diagnosis is timely and that HAART is started on time.
About the doctor: 2010 to 2016 Practitioner of the therapeutic hospital of the central medical-sanitary unit No. 21, city of elektrostal. Since 2016 she has been working in the diagnostic center No. 3.
AIDS is the last and irreversible stage of HIV infection, leading to the death of the patient.
When is AIDS diagnosed?
To date, AIDS is diagnosed with certain criteria... Diagnosis of AIDS is based on the diagnosis of certain secondary diseases that occur in HIV-infected people.
Full list Diseases “definitely indicator” for AIDS include:
- Candidiasis of the mucous membranes of the esophagus, trachea, bronchi and lungs;
- Extrapulmonary cryptococcosis;
- Cryptococcosis with diarrhea lasting more than 1 month;
- Cytomegalovirus lesions of various organs (except for the liver, spleen, lymph nodes);
- Kaposi's sarcoma in patients younger than 60 years old;
- Brain lymphoma in patients under 60 years of age;
- Infection caused by atypical mycobacteria;
- Pneumocystis pneumonia;
- Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy;
- Toxoplasmosis of the brain in patients older than 1 month.
Detection in a patient of at least one of the above diseases, confirmed by reliable diagnostic methods, with laboratory confirmation of HIV infection, allows you to diagnose AIDS.
The classification proposed by the Centers for Disease Control (USA) allows for the diagnosis of AIDS even in the absence of laboratory confirmation of HIV infection. Such a diagnosis is made with the exclusion of other causes of immunodeficiency, if the patient has:
1.Diagnostically confirmed Pneumocystis pneumonia or
2. A combination of the following two circumstances:
- any of the above diseases ("definitely indicator diseases") diagnosed by a reliable method
- the level of CD4 lymphocytes is less than 0.2x10 9 / l.
Other classifications
For developing countries, where laboratory diagnosis of both HIV infection and opportunistic diseases is problematic, simplified options for the clinical diagnosis of AIDS have been proposed, based only on clinical manifestations... One of these classifications was proposed by WHO back in 1985 and includes 3 major and 6 minor signs of AIDS.
"Big" symptoms:
- Decrease in body weight by 10% or more;
- Chronic diarrhea for more than 1 month;
- Prolonged fever for more than 1 month.
"Minor" symptoms:
- Persistent cough lasting more than 1 month;
- Generalized dermatitis, accompanied by itching;
- Recurrent shingles;
- Candidiasis of the oral cavity and pharynx;
- Chronic infection caused by the herpes simplex virus;
- Generalized enlargement of the lymph nodes.
An adult patient is diagnosed with AIDS when at least two “major” and at least one “minor” symptom is found. In addition, detection of advanced Kaposi's sarcoma or cryptococcal meningitis according to this classification is sufficient for a diagnosis.
The clinical picture of AIDS
Due to deep damage to the immune system, all organs and systems are affected. The condition of the patients is severe, signs of intoxication are expressed. Severe general weakness is expressed. Most of the patients are forced to stay in bed. Fever is constant, body temperature reaches 38-38.5 ° C. Weight loss is more than 10%. Constant diarrhea worries. All groups of lymph nodes are enlarged.
Against this background, malignant neoplasms develop in the form of widespread Kaposi's sarcoma and malignant lymphoma.
Depending on the severity of the prevailing clinical symptoms, there are a number of clinical forms of AIDS:
- with predominant damage to the lungs (pneumocystis pneumonia);
- with defeat gastrointestinal tract;
- with damage to the central nervous system or neuropsychiatric phenomena (multifocal leukoencephalopathy, HIV-related dementia);
- with damage to the skin or mucous membranes;
- generalized or septic forms;
- undifferentiated forms, manifested by intoxication syndrome, prolonged fever and weight loss.
In the future, the disease enters the terminal phase. The clinical manifestations of opportunistic infections are most pronounced. Cachexia (extreme exhaustion) develops, high fever persists, and signs of intoxication. Due to damage to the nervous system, almost all patients develop dementia (dementia). The content of the virus in the blood during this period is extremely high, and the content of lymphocytes reaches zero values.
The rate of development of any disease depends on the number of infectious agents that have entered the body, on the type of pathogen and on general condition human health at the time of infection.
HIV infection is most often diagnosed when clinical manifestations become apparent. Until the moment of manifestation, the disease is asymptomatic, and the viral presence in the blood is not detected.
There are 4 clinical stages diseases:
- incubation period;
- stage of primary manifestations;
- stage of secondary diseases;
- terminal stage (or AIDS).
Let's consider what are the main symptoms and signs of each stage of HIV infection.
After infection with the immunodeficiency virus, irreversible changes begin to occur in the human body. The number of viral particles in the blood gradually increases, they attach to the surface of immune cells and destroy them. The main feature of the period is that there are no clinical symptoms of the disease.
They begin to appear on average after 12 weeks. However, this period can be much shorter - from 14 days, and can stretch over years.
At the stage of incubation of HIV in the blood, there are no indicators of the presence of the virus. Antibodies to it have not yet been determined. As a result, the incubation period is usually called the "serological window".
Can an HIV-infected person be outwardly different from a healthy person? No, in appearance he does not differ from other people. The problem is that minor signs that indicate infection are not perceived by a person as a disease. Only in the presence of factors predisposing to infection (contact with an HIV-infected person, working in a medical clinic with contaminated biological material) can the symptoms raise suspicion of HIV.
These include:
- subfebrile body temperature, not exceeding 37.5 ° C;
- a slight increase in different groups of lymph nodes;
- moderate muscle pain;
- weakness, apathy.
Such signs, when the cause of their occurrence is unclear, are an indication for a diagnostic test for HIV infection.
Despite the absence of hematological and clinical manifestations, the patient during the incubation period is dangerous to others. An infected person is already a source of infection that can transmit the disease to other people.
Signs and symptoms at the primary stage of HIV infection
The transition of the disease to the second stage is marked by the development of seroconversion. The process by which specific antibodies begin to be detected in the patient's blood. From this point on, HIV infection can be diagnosed using serological methods for examining biological materials.
The stage of primary manifestations of HIV can proceed in the form of three independent forms.
Asymptomatic phase
The period is characterized by a complete absence of clinical symptoms. The person considers himself to be absolutely healthy. The phase can last up to several years, but a rapid course is also possible, lasting no more than a month. Statistics show that if a person has an asymptomatic infection for a long time, then after 5 years the symptoms of immune deficiency (AIDS) begin to develop in only 30% of those infected.
Acute HIV infection
The manifestation of primary symptoms develops in 30% of infected people. The first obvious signs appear in 1-3 months after the virus enters the human body.
They resemble the manifestations of infectious mononucleosis:
- an increase in body temperature up to 37 ° C and above, without visible signs of the disease;
- hyperthermia is not eliminated by taking antipyretic drugs;
- signs of HIV infection appear in the oral cavity - sore throat, inflammation and enlargement of the palatine tonsils (like a sore throat);
- taking antibacterial drugs is not successful;
- an increase in the size and soreness of the lymph nodes in the neck;
- an increase in the size of the liver and spleen;
- the appearance of diarrhea;
- insomnia, increased sweating at night;
- small specks of a pale pink color may form on the skin - a maculopapular rash;
- apathy, loss of appetite, headaches and weakness.
The stage proceeds in the form of inflammation of the brain and its membranes (meningitis or encephalitis). Characteristic symptoms develop: headache, rise in body temperature to 40 ° C, nausea and vomiting.
Another option for the course of the acute phase is esophagitis - inflammation of the esophagus. The disease is accompanied by pain when swallowing, causeless pain in the chest.
In any of the above cases, leukocytosis, lymphocytosis is found in the patient's blood, and atypical cells - mononuclear cells - appear.
Generalized lymphadenopathy
swollen lymph nodes
This phase is characterized by an increase in lymph nodes. Lymphadenopathy is considered to be the defeat of more than two groups of lymph nodes, the exception of which is the inguinal. Most often, there is an increase in the cervical and supraclavicular nodes. They reach up to 5 cm in diameter and become painful. It is noteworthy that the skin over them does not change, and there is no soldering with the subcutaneous tissue. These symptoms are often the first to appear in an HIV-infected person.
The average duration of this stage is 3 months. By the end, the patient develops cachexia (a sharp, causeless weight loss).
Signs and symptoms of the stage of secondary diseases of HIV infection
The third stage of the development of the disease is characterized by persistent suppression of the human immune system. The peculiarities of the course of the disease in HIV-infected during this period are changes in the blood: a decrease in the level of leukocytes, in particular, the number of T-lymphocytes is significantly reduced.
At the third stage, symptoms appear that are characteristic of various visceral diseases (affecting internal organs).
Kaposi's sarcoma
The disease is characterized by the formation of many cherry-colored spots and tubercles up to 10 cm in diameter. They are localized on any part of the body: head, limbs, mucous membranes. In fact, these formations are tumors originating from the tissues of the lymphatic vessels.
The prognosis for life with this disease depends on the form of its course. At acute current disease people live on average 2 years, with a chronic form, life expectancy reaches 10 years.
Pneumocystis pneumonia
With this type of pneumonia, symptoms of the disease develop quickly. First, there is a high body temperature, not knocked down by antipyretic drugs. Then chest pain, cough (first dry, then with phlegm), shortness of breath join. There is a lightning-fast deterioration in the patient's condition. Treatment with antibacterial drugs is ineffective.
Generalized infection
This form of secondary manifestations of HIV is most typical for women. Various infections in patients infected with a retrovirus acquire a generalized course, affecting the entire body as a whole.
Such diseases include:
- tuberculous lesions of various organs;
- fungal diseases - more often candidiasis;
- cytomegalovirus infection, etc.
The course of the disease is extremely severe, with damage to the respiratory system, digestive system, and brain. The development of sepsis is characteristic of them.
Neurological symptoms of HIV infection
With this variant of the course, the brain is affected with depression of cognitive functions. Symptoms will be: decreased memory, decreased concentration, distraction. An extreme manifestation of brain dysfunctions is the development of progressive dementia.
The above diseases do not always develop with HIV, but their presence helps doctors to identify the period of development of the disease.
Signs and symptoms of terminal HIV infection
The last stage of HIV infection is called acquired immune deficiency syndrome. The symptoms of AIDS are the same in men and women.
In patients with AIDS, cachexia (emaciation) is pronounced, even the simplest infectious and inflammatory diseases are long and difficult. A characteristic feature is a significant increase in the size of the inguinal lymph nodes.
The last period, when HIV infection turns into AIDS, can be characterized by the following forms:
- Pulmonary - develops, has a severe course.
- Intestinal - associated with impaired digestion and absorption nutrients... Typical traits: diarrhea, dehydration, weight loss.
- Neurological - a severe course of meningitis and encephalitis, the development of malignant neoplasms in the brain and spinal cord. May manifest as epileptic seizures, the duration and frequency of which increase over time.
- Mucocutaneous - symptoms appear on the skin, in the genital area. They look like ulcers, erosion, rashes. Often, ulceration can grow into underlying tissues (muscles, bones). Small wounds, cuts, scratches do not heal for a long time, which is an unfavorable prognostic sign.
- Widespread - the most severe form of AIDS, in which all organs and systems are affected simultaneously. Death usually occurs in the first six months from severe renal failure.
AIDS progresses and develops very quickly. with the terminal stage of HIV infection does not exceed 2-3 years. However, timely antiretroviral therapy can sometimes delay death for a long period of time.
