USA
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the human immune system, the body’s natural defense system. Once the immune system is weakened by this attack, the body has trouble fighting off diseases. Both the virus and the infection it causes are called HIV. White blood cells are a very vital part of the human immune system; HIV invades and destroys certain white blood cells called CD4+ cells. If too many CD4+ cells are destroyed, the body can no longer defend itself against infection.
The last stage of HIV infection is AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). People with AIDS have a low number of CD4+ cells and are particularly vulnerable to opportunistic infections from bacteria that other people fight off. Pneumocystis carinii which causes severe inflammation of the lungs (Pneumonia) is a common infection that affects people with AIDS. Cancers and a wide variety of neurological abnormalities most notably the AIDS dementia complex may also occur. These neurological symptoms occur when the HIV infects the nervous system. (1)
Sexual contact is a major mode of transmission of HIV but it can also be transmitted via blood, blood products and shared needles; in addition, infants born to infected women may become infected before or during birth via transplacental, partuition or postpartum transmission (2). HIV virus does not survive well outside the body hence it cannot be spread by casual contact such as kissing or sharing drinking glasses, spoons or other utensils with an infected person. The risk of HIV infection for International travelers is generally low. Factors to consider when assessing risk include the extent of direct contact with blood, body secretions or sexual contact with potentially infected persons. It is worth noting too that blood supply in low income countries might not be adequately screened. (7)
HIV may not cause symptoms at the early stages. It is possible that infected people may mistake the early symptoms for flu. These early symptoms are fever, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, joint pain, swollen glands (swollen lymph nodes) and skin rash. The symptoms may appear from a few days to several weeks then go away within 2 to 3 weeks.
After the early symptoms are gone, the infected person may not have symptoms again for many years. During this time, the virus continues to grow in the body while attacking the immune system. At a certain point, symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes, extreme tiredness, weight loss, fever and night sweats reappear and this time remain.
If these symptoms last and no other cause can be found, a doctor may suspect HIV and order for some tests. One of the most commonly performed HIV test is antibody test which indicate HIV infection indirectly by revealing HIV antibodies. Recorded protocol requires initial screening of individuals and blood products with an Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). A positive ELISA should be repeated then confirmed by an alternative method usually the Western blot or Immunofluorescence Assay. (3)
HIV can be spread by people who don't know that they are infected with the virus. The best ways to protect oneself and others include; Practice of safe sex, the use of condom during sexual intercourse (including oral sex) until partners are sure through medical tests that are not infected with HIV, not having multiple sex partners, going for medical test before having unprotected sex for the first time, avoidance of alcohol or drugs before sex as this may lead to impaired judgment in case of sexual advances from strangers, not sharing personal items, such as toothbrushes or razors, needles and syringes.
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control); since 1996, the introduction of powerful antiretroviral therapies has dramatically changed the progression time between HIV infection and the development of AIDS. There are also other medical treatments that can prevent or cure some of the illnesses associated with AIDS though the treatments do not cure AIDS itself. (4) The search for the cure still continues to be intensified by several research organizations funded by various nations. Through research, zidovudine (AZT), didanosine (DDI) and other antiretroviral drugs were developed; they impair the ability of HIV to insert itself into a host cell. Protease inhibitors, another class of antiretroviral agents have greatly increased life expectancy for persons with AIDS. Whereas treatment focuses on the prevention of opportunistic infections; alternative therapies which focus on enhancing overall health are available, these include vitamin supplementation with herbal medicines, Acupuncture, mind body therapies as well as massage which improve circulation as well as reduce emotional and mental stress. (2)
Women constitute approximately 47% of the world population of 33 million living with HIV/AIDS (5). In the United States where the disease was first diagnosed in 1981, women continue to be the fastest growing new group of persons with AIDS with proportions of women with AIDS rising from 75 in 1995 to 22% in 1997. At the moment, women contribute 20% of all AIDS cases in the US (5). CDC estimates that 30% of the 40,000 new HIV infections each year occur in women.
The toll of HIV/AIDS in the society and households is very severe. No part of the general population is unaffected by the disease. However, it is often the poorest sectors of the society that are most vulnerable to the epidemic and for whom the consequences are most severe. The presence of AIDS causes the household to dissolve as parents die and children are forced to be cared for by relatives or grand parents. AIDS strips families of their assets, income and income earners further impoverishing the poor.
HIV/AIDS is an epidemic of international proportions in whose realization the United Nation created UNAIDS, an agency within the world body that addresses issues pertaining to HIV/AIDS. In order to effectively address these challenges, UNAIDS was set up with five focus areas which include leadership and advocacy, strategic information and technical support, tracking monitoring and evaluation, civil society engagement and mobilization of resources (6). This UN agency engages the efforts of many sectors and partners from governments and civil society in fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
References
(1) NORD COMPEDIUM OF RARE DISEASES – A publication by the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Mary Ann Libert Publishers.
(2) DISEASES OF THE HUMAN BODY – By Carol D.Tamparo and Marcia A. Lewis
(3) PROFESSIONAL GUIDE TO DISEASES 8TH EDITION – By Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
(4) www.cdc.gov
(5) THE NEW HARVARD GUIDE TO WOMWN’S HEALTH – By Karen J Carson M.D & Stephanie Eisenstat M.D
(6) www.unaids.org
(7) HEALTH INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVELLERS 2003-2004 By Department of Health and Human Services (CDC) Centers for Diseases Control
