AIDS is an acronym for Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome. This condition is caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This virus attacks CD4+T cells. These cells are responsible for fighting infections and are a part of immune system and very important for its proper work. So, when the virus attacks the immune system, it becomes unable to resist the illnesses and becomes more and more vulnerable and susceptive to cancers and infections. A normal healthy person has got about 1000 of CD4+T cells and the diagnosis is stated when CD4+T cells number is less than 200. AIDS has got about two dozen of associated conditions and if a person has one of them AIDS is diagnosed.
Sometimes the two notions get confused but it is important to understand that AIDS represents a HIV infection in its advanced stage, when the system has already undergone a substantial damage. It is a condition when the treatment is impossible and so far no cure has been found and AIDS is considered irreversible. Although, it is not necessarily that every person with HIV will have AIDS. The statistics reports about half of such patients who are destined to end up with it in 10 years after the infection. The timing is highly individual and other factors like general health and personal lifestyle are also influential.
HIV has got several ways to spread and get into a person’s organism. First of all it is a sexual intercourse. This way is the most common as the virus enters the body through a vagina lining, penis, mouth and rectum. Saliva is not known to spread the virus but sill open mouth kisses are not recommended.
Another way of the virus spreading is a direct contact with infected blood that usually happens when needles and syringes are used. They can contain small quantities of contaminated blood and therefore evoke the infection. Blood transfusion should also be carried out with all the necessary precautions.
Infected mother is also able to transfer the virus to her baby. Although, the risk of it can be reduced if the anti HIV drugs “AZT” or Zidovudine are taken during the period of pregnancy. Cesarean section during delivery can also reduce this risk while breast-feeding increases it. Therefore breast-feeding is forbidden for HIV-infected women.
Though those above were the ways how the virus spreads there are other cases completely harmless. Hugging or just simple touching of a person is not infectious as well as sharing any household items. Tears and sweat, coughs or sneezing are quite safe and common saunas or swimming pools are too as soon as there is no blood or body fluids there. Still, it is recommended to abstain from sharing razors and tooth brushes.
HIV & AIDS has got the following symptoms: fever, rush, appetite loss, pain in muscles, swollen glands, headaches, etc. They resemble flu symptoms and are often confused. They disappear after a week and do not disturb for a few years afterwards until the infection reaches certain stage. Then more serious symptoms follow. They include loss of weight, seizures, fatigue, enlarged lymph nodes, diarrhea, rush, thrush, mouth lesions, frequent fevers, memory loss, even coma, and a number of others. The less the number of CD4+T cell becomes the worse the immune system works and a person feels. A patient becomes more susceptible to cancers (i.e. Kaposi sarcoma, cervical cancer, and lymphomas, or immune system cancers).
People who have been diagnosed with HIV and AIDS live no longer than 2-3 years and suffer a lot.