AIDS(Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome)

AIDS is a serious sexually transmitted fatal disease. AIDS was first described in medical literature in 1981 in homosexuals and hence the diagnosis of the first case. It is spreading to different countries and is threatening a global epidemic.

In the year 1985, it was postulated that AIDS may have originated in Africa as AIDS virus was endemic among African green monkey. Eating uncooked green monkeys brain may have caused transmission of virus to human beings who did not show any sign of illness at that time but acted as carriers.

The AIDS epidemic is like an ice-berg where a few proven cases of AIDS indicate that many more people are carrying the virus. Many of these carriers have no symptoms but can infect other innocent people.

Causes

The causes of AIDS is human immuno-deficiency virus. It belongs to a class of virus called retro-viruses. The virus was previously known as HTLV3(American) and LAV(French). In may 1986 the name HIV was recommended by international committee on taxonomy of viruses. Since then it is known as HIV.

The incubation period for AIDS varies from a few months to more than 2 years. In adults, AIDS may take an average of 10 years to develop. If it is communicable during this “latent period”, many who are feeling perfectly healthy, could silently be spreading the infection to hundreds or thousands of others.

Transmission

• Most of the reported cases of AIDS are sexually transmitted although some cases are due to transfer of semen, blood and blood product. Following are the known ways as to how AIDS virus can be transmitted from one person to another:
• The homosexual, bisexual and heterosexual people with multiple partners are prone to this disease.
• Transfusion of infected blood or blood products.
• Reusing or sharing of infected needle.
• During pregnancy or child birth the fetus can be infected by an infected mother.
• Recipients of semen or body organs from infected person are likely to catch the disease.

Clinical stages(symptoms)

The symptoms of HIV infection vary from complete absence of any symptom to debilitating nerological disorders, and AIDS is only the end stage of disease process. The clinical stages may be:

• As soon as HIV enters blood stream, it stimulates the immune system and produces antibodies.
• Some may suffer from mild febrile illness similar to influenza or glandular fever.
• Gradually the sero positive people may develop enlarged lymph nodes in groin, neck or axilla.
• The lymph-adenopathy may be accompanied by night sweat, fever, diarrhea, weight loss, fatigue, oral thrush, or herpes zoster infection.
• As the disease progresses, people gradually lose all natural defence mechanism. Finally the immune system collapses.
• Kopasi’s sarcoma is the most commonly seen malignancy in AIDS.
• HIV virus can pass through the blood-brain barrier which damage brain cells.

Prevention and control

As there is no cure and no vaccine for AIDS, prevention is the only answer to check further spread of the disease. The following measures will minimize the spread of AIDS:

Each and every citizen should get the information about AIDS and knowledge of how it is transmitted.

• Avoid sex with prostitutes and casual acquaintances.
• Avoid multiple partners and stick to one partner only.
• Use of condom reduces the risk of AIDS.
• Avoid injections and blood transfusion unless absolutely necessary.
• Avoid needle used by drug addicts and infected people.
• Intravenous drug abusers should understand that they should only use disposable syringes and destroy it after single use.
• Screening of blood should be introduced.
• Infected woman should be made aware that if they become pregnant, the baby runs the risk of getting the AIDS.
• If you are exposed to a risky situation, consult your doctor and get a blood test done immediately.