Thursday, September 27, 2007

HIV & AIDS: What Are They?

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS, a condition in humans in which the immune system begins to fail, leading to life-threatening opportunistic infections). Infection with HIV occurs by the transfer of blood, semen, vaginal fluid, pre-ejaculate, or breast milk. Within these bodily fluids, HIV is present as both free virus particles and virus within infected immune cells.

The four major routes of transmission are:

  • Unprotected Sexual Intercourse,
  • Contaminated Needles (included but not limited to health care workers, drug users and those who give and receive tattoos and piercing),
  • Transmission from an infected mother to her baby at birth, or
  • Through breast milk

If untreated, eventually most HIV-infected individuals develop AIDS (Aquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) and die; however about one in ten remains healthy for many years, with no noticeable symptoms.

SYMPTOMS

80-90% of individuals develop an influenza or mononucleosis-like illness called acute HIV infection, the most common symptoms of which may include:

  • Fever,
  • Lymphadenopathy,
  • Pharyngitis,
  • Rash,
  • Myalgia,
  • Maiaise,
  • Mouth and Esophagal Sores, and may also include, but less commonly,
  • Headache,
  • Nausea and Vomiting
  • Enlarged Liver/Spleen,
  • Weight Loss
  • Thrush, and
  • Neurological Symptoms.

Infected individuals may experience all, some, or none of these symptoms. Symptoms have an average duration of 28 days and usually last at least a week although duration of symptoms may vary. Because of the nonspecific nature of these illnesses, it is often not recognized as a sign of HIV infection.

(www.cdc.gov)