HIV is an incurable sexually transmitted disease that develops into AIDS in its last stage. Besides sex, the virus is transmitted through intravenous needle exchange, and may be passed from an HIV-positive mother to her unborn child. The NIH states that a patient with HIV may not have any symptoms for up to 10 years, but may transmit to other people if protection is not used. By the time the patient develops AIDS, her immune system is weak, and she becomes susceptible to infections.
Statistics
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) states that in 2006, about 56,300 people were infected with HIV. While anybody can be infected with HIV, certain populations have a higher risk. For example, the CDC notes that from the beginning of the epidemic through 2007, the highest number of HIV and AIDS cases were in the African American community, with 426,003 cases; the second-highest rate was in the Caucasian community, with 404,465 cases.
Symptoms of HIV
Some of the early symptoms of HIV may be confused for the flu or another illness. These symptoms include a sore throat, diarrhea, fatigue, fever, headache and muscle aching. The patient may also have swollen lymph glands, mouth sores, rashes or frequent yeast infections.
AIDS-Related Infections
An AIDS patient has a weakened immune system from the virus, leaving him susceptible to certain infections. These infections result in the symptoms of the disorder, such as blisters in the mouth or severe weight loss. For example, the NIH notes that when an AIDS patient has a CD4 (type of immune cell) count of below 350 cells/mcl, he is prone to Kaposi's sarcoma, shingles, tuberculosis, yeast infections, Herpes simplex virus and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Infections associated with a CD4 count of below 200 cells/mcl include PCP pneumonia, bacillary angiomatosis and candida esophagitis. Cryptococcal meningitis, Wasting syndrome, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, crytosporidium diarrhea, toxoplasma encephalitis and AIDS dementia are linked with a CD4 count of below 100 cells/mcl. If a patient has a CD4 count of below 50 cells/mcl, he may contract mycobacterium avium or cytomegalovirus infection.
Diagnosis
The two tests used to diagnose HIV are the HIV ELISA and HIV Western blot, which detect the presence of antibodies in the patient's blood. The NIH recommends that at-risk persons should be retested three months after the initial HIV test, as it takes time for the antibodies to form in the patient's blood.
Treatment
No cure exists for HIV or AIDS; the treatment available focuses on increasing the patient's quality of life. The NIH states that highly active antiretroviral therapy is effective in suppressing HIV, though some patients may become resistant to the treatment if she misses a dose or takes them irregularly. Side effects of this treatment include nausea, fat accumulation on the patient's back and abdomen, headaches and weakness.
