AIDS/HIV

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BRIEF SUMMARY

AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is a disease caused by a virus called HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection). AIDS is a disease of the human immune system that is characterized cytologically especially by reduction in the numbers of CD4-bearing helper T cells to 20 percent or less of normal thereby rendering the subject highly vulnerable to life-threatening conditions (as Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia) and to some (as Kaposi’s sarcoma) that become life-threatening and that is caused by infection with HIV commonly transmitted in infected blood especially during illicit intravenous drug use and in bodily secretions (as semen) during sexual intercourse. The illness alters the immune system, making people much more vulnerable to infections and diseases. This susceptibility worsens as the syndrome 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 syndrome 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 (HIV/AIDS: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments, http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/17131.php).

KEY POINTS

  • HIV/AIDS remains one of the world’s most significant public health challenges, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
  • As a result of recent advances in access to antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV-positive people now live longer and healthier lives. In addition, it has been confirmed that ART prevents onward transmission of HIV.
  • At the end of 2013, 11.7 million people were receiving ART in low- and middle-income countries; this represents 36% [34–38%] of the 32.6 million [30.8–34.7 million] people living with HIV in low- and middle-income countries.
  • Being diagnosed with HIV does not mean that someone has AIDS or will ever be diagnosed with AIDS.
  • You cannot contract HIV/AIDS from shaking hands, sharing a cup or utensils  with someone who has been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.
  • The illness alters the immune system, making people much more vulnerable to infections and diseases. This susceptibility worsens as the syndrome progresses (http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/17131.php).
  • HIV is found in the body fluids of an infected person (semen and vaginal fluids, blood and breast milk (http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/17131.php).
  • 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 (http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/17131.php).
  • The development of numerous opportunistic infections in an AIDS patient can ultimately lead to death (http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/17131.php).

SHARED WISDOM

  • What I have learned: Indiana Statistics on AIDS By the end of December 2012, a total of 10,746 persons were living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in the state of Indiana, up from 10,279 persons by the end of 2011. The disease continues to be male dominated, with the number of diagnosed males almost four times higher than that of females. The rate of infection was at 270.2 for males and 64.6 for females per 100,000 people of the general population. The majority of PLWHA are in their middle ages, ranging from 40 to 49 years of age. However, the majority of people are first diagnosed at the ages of 20 to 24 years of age. Around a third of all PLWHA are Black (36.6%), while about five out of ten people with HIV/AIDS are White (52.2%). Based on the smaller number of Blacks in the general population, the HIV prevalence rate (665.2/100,000) is exceeding the rate of Hispanics (211.7/100,000) and Whites (102.5/100,000). HIV/AIDS continues to affect Black males disproportionably more than their White counterparts (http://www.in.gov/isdh/files/Final_2013_Epi_Profile_Executive_Summary_ap.pdf).
  • What I have learned: Do all people with HIV have AIDS? No. Being diagnosed with HIV does NOT mean a person will also be diagnosed with AIDS. Healthcare professionals diagnose AIDS only when people with HIV disease begin to get severe opportunistic infections (OI), or their T-cell counts fall below a certain level.
  • What I have learned: Can I get AIDS from sharing a cup or shaking hands with someone who has HIV or AIDS? HIV is found only in body fluids, so you cannot get HIV by shaking someone’s hand or giving them a hug (or by using the same toilet or towel). While HIV is found in saliva, sharing cups or utensils has never been shown to transmit HIV (https://www.aids.gov/frequently-asked-questions/).

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This post was created by ABCD ContentManager on August 5, 2016.