Acquired immune deficiency syndrome, AIDS, is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus, HIV. AIDS is an infectious and deadly disease that can be spread through sexual contact, infected blood and mother to child transmission. There is no cure for HIV or AIDS, but educating people about the disease can help prevent new cases.
Immune System
The immune system is composed of tissues, organs and white blood cells that protect people from viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. When organisms invade the body, CD4 cells or T-cells are activated to enable the immune system to fight off these organisms. When a person has AIDS, the virus destroys the CD4 cells and replicates the AIDS virus. When the CD4 cell count falls bellow 200, a diagnosis of AIDS is made, reports AIDS.gov.
Signs and Symptoms
According to MayoClinic.com, signs and symptoms of AIDS can include night sweats, chills, a fever greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit for weeks, cough, diarrhea, shortness of breath, chronic fatigue, blurred vision, weight loss, and skin rashes and bumps. These symptoms are signs that another infection has occurred in the body, called opportunistic infections.
Opportunistic Infections
Opportunistic infections are those that invade the body when the immune system is weakened. These opportunistic infections can be caused by bacteria, protozoans, fungus and cancers. According to AVERT.org, opportunistic infections that generally occur with AIDS include PCP, toxoplasmosis and cryptococcosis. Opportunistic infections can spread to other organs and tissues in the body, which is known as systemic disease and can be fatal.
Treatment
There is no cure for AIDS or HIV but there are treatment options to help slow the progression of the virus. According to MayoClinic.com, there are five classes of medications that can be taken in combinations to provide better results. Highly active antiretroviral therapy, also known as HAART, is a treatment regimen where a person takes more than three medications to prolong the AIDS virus and keep opportunistic infections from occurring.
Prevention
AIDS can develop after a person contracts HIV, so preventing HIV prevents AIDS. Prevention includes abstaining from sex, being faithful to a partner and wearing a male or female condom during sex. Drug users who share needles to inject drugs are at risk for contracting HIV. The best prevention method for drug users is to stop using drugs. However, if the person cannot stop using drugs, using a clean needle each time can help prevent HIV. If an HIV/AIDS-positive woman is pregnant, it is critical that she take medications during pregnancy and during the birth to prevent the transmission of HIV to her baby. According to AVERT.org, a mother should consult her doctor about safe feeding options for her baby.
