What does HIV infection mean? Symptoms of HIV in women in the early and late stages of the disease. Features of antiretroviral therapy

Now in the world, perhaps, there is no adult who does not know what HIV infection is. The “plague of the 20th century” has confidently stepped into the 21st century and continues to progress. The prevalence of HIV is now in the nature of a real pandemic. HIV infection has spread to almost all countries. In 2004, there were about 40 million people living with HIV in the world – approximately 38 million adults and 2 million children. In the Russian Federation, the prevalence of HIV-infected people in 2003 was 187 people per 100 thousand population.

According to statistics, about 8,500 people are infected every day in the world, with at least 100 in Russia.

Basic concepts:

HIV– human immunodeficiency virus – the causative agent of HIV infection.
– an infectious disease whose cause is HIV and the outcome is AIDS.
AIDS– acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is the final stage of HIV infection, when a person’s immune system is so damaged that it becomes unable to resist any type of infection. Any infection, even the most harmless one, can lead to severe illness and death.

History of HIV infection

In the summer of 1981, the US Centers for Disease Control published a report describing 5 cases of PCP and 26 cases of Kaposi's sarcoma in previously healthy homosexual men from Los Angeles and New York.

Over the next few months, cases were reported among injecting drug users and, shortly thereafter, among blood transfusion recipients.
In 1982, the diagnosis of AIDS was formulated, but the causes of its occurrence were not established.
In 1983, it was first allocated HIV from a cell culture of a sick person.
In 1984 it was found that HIV is the reason AIDS.
In 1985, a diagnostic method was developed HIV infection using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that detects antibodies to HIV in blood.
In 1987, the first case HIV infection registered in Russia - he was a homosexual man who worked as a translator in African countries.

Where did HIV come from?

In search of an answer to this question, many different theories have been proposed. No one can answer this for sure.

However, it is known that the first study of the epidemiology of HIV infection found that the maximum prevalence of HIV was in the Central African region. In addition, a virus capable of causing AIDS in humans has been isolated from the blood of the great apes (chimpanzees) living in this area, which may indicate the possibility of infection from these apes, perhaps through a bite or butchering of carcasses.

There is an assumption that HIV existed for a long time among the tribal settlements of Central Africa, and only in the twentieth century, as a result of increased population migration, it spread throughout the world.

AIDS virus

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) belongs to a subfamily of retroviruses called lentiviruses (or “slow” viruses). This means that from the moment of infection to the appearance of the first signs of the disease, and especially to the development of AIDS, a long period of time passes, sometimes several years. Half of HIV-infected people have an asymptomatic period of about 10 years.

There are 2 types of HIV - HIV-1 and HIV-2. The most common in the world is HIV-1; HIV-2 is closer in morphology to the simian immunodeficiency virus - the same one that was found in the blood of chimpanzees.

* - In 2019, a group of scientists in the United States discovered a new strain of HIV for the first time in almost 20 years. This strain is part of the group M species of HIV-1. HIV has many different subtypes or strains. Like other viruses, it can change and mutate over time. This is the first new group M strain discovered since subtype classification principles were established in 2000.

When HIV enters the blood, it selectively attaches to blood cells responsible for immunity, which is due to the presence on the surface of these cells of specific CD 4 molecules that HIV recognizes. Inside these cells, HIV actively multiplies and, even before the formation of any immune response, quickly spreads throughout the body. It primarily affects the lymph nodes, since they contain a large number of immune cells.

Throughout the course of the disease, an effective immune response to HIV is never formed. This is primarily due to damage to immune cells and insufficiency of their function. In addition, HIV has pronounced variability, which leads to the fact that immune cells simply cannot “recognize” the virus.

As the disease progresses, HIV leads to damage to an increasing number of immune cells - CD 4 lymphocytes, the number of which gradually decreases, eventually reaching a critical number, which can be considered the beginning AIDS.

How can you become infected with HIV?

• During sexual intercourse.

Sexual transmission is the most common route of HIV transmission worldwide. Semen contains large amounts of virus; Apparently, HIV tends to accumulate in semen, especially in inflammatory diseases - urethritis, epididymitis, when semen contains a large number of inflammatory cells containing HIV. Therefore, the risk of HIV transmission increases with concomitant sexually transmitted infections. In addition, concomitant genital infections are often accompanied by the appearance of various formations that violate the integrity of the mucous membrane of the genital organs - ulcers, cracks, blisters, etc.

HIV is also found in vaginal and cervical discharge.

You should also remember about the criminal liability (Article 122 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation), which is borne by an HIV-positive partner, putting the other in a situation dangerous from the point of view of contracting HIV infection. In the same article. 122 a note has been added on the basis of which a person is exempt from criminal liability if the partner was promptly warned about the presence of HIV infection and voluntarily agreed to commit actions that created a risk of infection.

During anal intercourse, the risk of transmitting the virus from semen through the thin mucous membrane of the rectum is extremely high. In addition, during anal sex, the risk of injury to the rectal mucosa increases, which means direct contact with blood.

In heterosexual contacts, the risk of infection from a man to a woman is approximately 20 times higher than from a woman to a man. This is due to the fact that the duration of contact of the vaginal mucosa with infected sperm is much longer than the duration of contact of the penis with the vaginal mucosa.

With oral sex, the risk of infection is much lower than with anal sex. However, it has been reliably proven that this risk does occur! Using condoms reduces, but does NOT eliminate, HIV infection.

• When using the same syringes or needles among injection drug users.
• During transfusion of blood and its components.

You cannot become infected by administering normal immunoglobulin and specific immunoglobulins, since these drugs undergo special treatment to completely inactivate the virus. After the introduction of mandatory testing of donors for HIV , the risk of infection has decreased significantly; however, the presence of a “blind period”, when the donor is already infected, but antibodies have not yet formed, does not completely protect recipients from infection.

• From mother to child.

Infection of the fetus can occur during pregnancy - the virus is able to penetrate the placenta; and also during childbirth. The risk of infection of a child from an HIV-infected mother is 12.9% in European countries and reaches 45-48% in African countries. The risk depends on the quality of the mother's medical care and treatment during pregnancy, the mother's health status, and the stage of HIV infection.

In addition, there is a clear risk of infection during breastfeeding. The virus has been found in the colostrum and breast milk of HIV-infected women. That's why is a contraindication for breastfeeding.

• From patients to medical staff and vice versa.

The risk of infection when injured by sharp objects contaminated with the blood of HIV-infected people is about 0.3%. The risk of contact of infected blood with mucous membranes and damaged skin is even lower.

The risk of HIV transmission from an infected healthcare worker to a patient is theoretically difficult to imagine. However, in 1990, a report was published in the United States about the infection of 5 patients from an HIV-infected dentist, but the mechanism of infection remained a mystery. Subsequent observations of patients who were treated by HIV-infected surgeons, gynecologists, obstetricians, and dentists did not reveal a single fact of infection.

How not to become infected with HIV

If there is an HIV-infected person in your environment, you must remember that you cannot become infected HIV at:

• Coughing and sneezing.
• Handshake.
• Hugs and kisses.
• Consumption of shared food or drinks.
• In swimming pools, baths, saunas.
• Through “injections” in transport and the metro. Information about possible infection through infected needles that HIV-infected people place on seats, or try to inject people in a crowd with them, is nothing more than myths. The virus does not persist in the environment for very long; in addition, the virus content at the tip of the needle is too small.

Saliva and other biological fluids contain too little virus to cause infection. The risk of infection occurs if body fluids (saliva, sweat, tears, urine, feces) contain blood.

Symptoms of HIV

Acute febrile phase

The acute febrile phase appears approximately 3-6 weeks after infection. It does not occur in all patients - approximately 50-70%. The rest immediately enter an asymptomatic phase after the incubation period.

Manifestations of the acute febrile phase are nonspecific:

• Fever: increased temperature, often low-grade fever, i.e. not higher than 37.5ºС.
• Sore throat.
• Enlarged lymph nodes: the appearance of painful swellings in the neck, armpits, and groin.
• Headache, eye pain.
• Pain in muscles and joints.
• Drowsiness, malaise, loss of appetite, weight loss.
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.
• Skin changes: skin rash, ulcers on the skin and mucous membranes.
• Serous meningitis can also develop - damage to the membranes of the brain, which is manifested by headache and photophobia.

The acute phase lasts from one to several weeks. In most patients it is followed by an asymptomatic phase. However, approximately 10% of patients experience a fulminant course of HIV infection with a sharp deterioration in their condition.

Asymptomatic phase of HIV infection

The duration of the asymptomatic phase varies widely - in half of HIV-infected people it is 10 years. The duration depends on the rate of virus reproduction.

During the asymptomatic phase, the number of CD 4 lymphocytes progressively decreases; a drop in their level below 200/μl indicates the presence of AIDS.

The asymptomatic phase may not have any clinical manifestations.

Some patients have lymphadenopathy – i.e. enlargement of all groups of lymph nodes.

Advanced stage of HIV - AIDS

At this stage, the so-called opportunistic infections– these are infections caused by opportunistic microorganisms that are normal inhabitants of our body and under normal conditions are not capable of causing disease.

There are 2 stages of AIDS:

A. Decrease in body weight by 10% compared to the original.

Fungal, viral, bacterial infections of the skin and mucous membranes:

• Candidal stomatitis: thrush is a white cheesy coating on the oral mucosa.
• Hairy leukoplakia of the mouth is white plaques covered with grooves on the lateral surfaces of the tongue.
• Shingles is a manifestation of the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus, the causative agent of chickenpox. It manifests itself as severe pain and rashes in the form of blisters on large areas of the skin, mainly the torso.
• Repeated frequent occurrences of herpetic infection.

In addition, patients constantly suffer from pharyngitis (sore throat), sinusitis (sinusitis, phronitis), and otitis (inflammation of the middle ear).

Bleeding gums, hemorrhagic rash (bleeding) on ​​the skin of the hands and feet. This is associated with developing thrombocytopenia, i.e. a decrease in the number of platelets - blood cells involved in clotting.

B. Decrease in body weight by more than 10% from the original.

At the same time, others are added to the infections described above:

• Unexplained diarrhea and/or fever for more than 1 month.
• Tuberculosis of the lungs and other organs.
• Toxoplasmosis.
• Helminthiasis of the intestines.
• Pneumocystis pneumonia.
• Kaposi's sarcoma.
• Lymphomas.

In addition, severe neurological disorders occur.

When to suspect HIV infection

• Fever of unknown origin for more than 1 week.
• Enlargement of various groups of lymph nodes: cervical, axillary, inguinal - for no apparent reason (no inflammatory diseases), especially if lymphadenopathy does not go away within several weeks.
• Diarrhea for several weeks.
• The appearance of signs of candidiasis (thrush) of the oral cavity in an adult.
• Extensive or atypical localization of herpetic eruptions.
• A sharp decrease in body weight, regardless of any reason.

Who is at higher risk of contracting HIV?

• Injection drug addicts.
• Homosexuals.
• Prostitutes.
• Persons who practice anal sex.
• People who have multiple sexual partners, especially if they do not use condoms.
• Persons suffering from other sexually transmitted diseases.
• Persons requiring transfusions of blood and its components.
• Persons requiring hemodialysis (“artificial kidney”).
• Children whose mothers are infected.
• Medical workers, especially those in contact with HIV-infected patients.

Prevention of HIV infection

Unfortunately, to date, no effective vaccine against HIV has been developed, although many countries are now conducting thorough research in this area, which has high hopes.

However, so far the prevention of HIV infection comes down to only general preventive measures:

• Safe sex and a permanent, reliable sexual partner.

Using condoms helps reduce the risk of infection, but even when used correctly, a condom is never 100% effective.

Rules for using a condom:

• The condom must be the right size.
• It is necessary to use a condom from the very beginning of sexual intercourse until completion.
• the use of condoms with nonoxynol-9 (spermicide) does not reduce the risk of infection, since it often leads to irritation of the mucous membrane, and, consequently, to microtraumas and cracks, which only contributes to infection.
• There should be no air left in the seminal receptacle - this may cause the condom to rupture.

If sexual partners want to be sure there is no risk of infection, they should both be tested for HIV.

• Quitting drug use. If it is impossible to cope with addiction, you should use only disposable needles and never share needles or syringes.
• HIV-infected mothers should avoid breastfeeding.

Drug prophylaxis has been developed for suspected HIV infection. It consists of taking antiretroviral drugs, as in the treatment of patients with HIV, only in different dosages. A course of preventive treatment will be prescribed by a doctor at the AIDS center during an in-person visit.

HIV test

Early diagnosis of HIV is extremely important for successful treatment and increasing life expectancy in such patients.

When should you get tested for HIV?

• after sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal or oral) with a new partner without a condom (or if the condom breaks). after sexual violence.
• if your sexual partner has had sex with someone else.
• if your current or past sexual partner is HIV positive.
• after using the same needles or syringes to inject drugs or other substances, or for tattoos and piercings.
• after any contact with the blood of an HIV-infected person.
• if your partner has shared needles or been exposed to any other risk of infection.
• after detection of any other sexually transmitted infection.

Most often, HIV infection is diagnosed using methods that determine antibodies to HIV in the blood - i.e. specific proteins that are formed in the body of an infected person in response to the virus. Antibody formation occurs within 3 weeks to 6 months after infection. Therefore, an HIV test becomes possible only after this period of time; the final test is recommended to be performed 6 months after the suspected infection. Standard method for determining antibodies to HIV called enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) or ELISA. This method is very reliable, with a sensitivity of more than 99.5%. Test results may be positive, negative or inconclusive.

If the result is negative and there is no suspicion of recent (within the last 6 months) infection, the diagnosis of HIV can be considered unconfirmed. If there is a suspicion of recent infection, a repeat examination is carried out.

There is a problem with so-called false positive results, so when a positive or questionable answer is received, the result is always checked using a more specific method. This method is called immunoblotting. The result can also be positive, negative or doubtful. If a positive result is obtained, the diagnosis of HIV infection is considered confirmed. If the answer is questionable, a repeat study is required after 4-6 weeks. If the result of repeated immunoblotting remains equivocal, the diagnosis of HIV infection is unlikely. However, to completely exclude it, immunoblotting is repeated 2 more times with an interval of 3 months or other diagnostic methods are used.

In addition to serological methods (i.e., determination of antibodies), there are methods for direct detection of HIV, which can be used to determine the DNA and RNA of the virus. These methods are based on PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and are very accurate methods for diagnosing infectious diseases. PCR can be used for early diagnosis of HIV - 2-3 weeks after questionable contact. However, due to the high cost and the large number of false-positive results due to contamination of the test samples, these methods are used in cases where standard methods cannot confidently diagnose or exclude HIV.

Video about what HIV tests you need to take and why:

Drug treatment of HIV infection and AIDS

Treatment consists of prescribing antiviral – antiretroviral therapy; as well as in the treatment and prevention of opportunistic infections.

After diagnosis and registration, a series of studies are carried out to determine the stage and activity of the disease. An important indicator of the stage of the process is the level of CD 4 lymphocytes - the very cells that affect HIV, and the number of which is progressively decreasing. When the CD 4 lymphocyte count is less than 200/μl, the risk of opportunistic infection, and therefore AIDS becomes significant. In addition, to determine the progression of the disease, the concentration of viral RNA in the blood is determined. Diagnostic tests must be carried out regularly, since the course HIV infection it is difficult to predict, and early diagnosis and treatment of concomitant infections is the basis for prolonging life and improving its quality.

Antiretroviral drugs:

The prescription of antiretroviral drugs and the choice of a specific drug is a decision of a medical specialist, which he makes depending on the patient’s condition.

• Zidovudine (Retrovir) is the first antiretroviral drug. Currently, zidovudine is prescribed in combination with other drugs when the CD 4 lymphocyte count is below 500/μl. Zidovudine monotherapy is prescribed only to pregnant women to reduce the risk of infection of the fetus.

Side effects: impaired hematopoietic function, headache, nausea, myopathy, liver enlargement

• Didanosine (Videx) – used in the first stage of treatment HIV and after long-term treatment with zidovudine. More often, didanosine is used in combination with other drugs.

Side effects: pancreatitis, peripheral neuritis with severe pain, nausea, diarrhea.

• Zalcitabine (Khivid) is prescribed for ineffectiveness or intolerance of zidovudine, as well as in combination with zidovudine at the initial stage of treatment.

Side effects: peripheral neuritis, stomatitis.

• Stavudin – used in adults in later stages HIV infection.

Side effects: peripheral neuritis.

• Nevirapine and delavirdine: prescribed in combination with other antiretroviral drugs in adult patients when signs of progression occur HIV infection.

Side effects: maculopapular rash, which usually goes away on its own and does not require discontinuation of the drug.

• Saquinavir is a drug belonging to the group of protease inhibitors HIV. The first drug from this group approved for use. Saquinavir is used in later stages HIV infection in combination with the above antiretroviral drugs.

Side effects: headache, nausea and diarrhea, increased liver enzymes, increased blood sugar levels.

• Ritonavir is a drug approved for use both as monotherapy and in combination with other antiretroviral drugs.

Side effects: nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, lip paresthesia.

• Indinavir – used to treat HIV infection in adult patients.

Side effects: urolithiasis, increased blood bilirubin.

• Nelfinavir is approved for use in both adults and children.

The main side effect is diarrhea, which occurs in 20% of patients.

Antiretroviral drugs should be provided free of charge to patients registered at the AIDS center. In addition to antiretroviral drugs, treatment HIV infection lies in the adequate selection of antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal, and antitumor agents for the treatment of manifestations and complications AIDS.

Prevention of opportunistic infections

Prevention of opportunistic infections helps to increase the duration and improve the quality of life of patients AIDS m.

• Prevention of tuberculosis: for the timely detection of persons infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, all HIV-infected persons are given a Mantoux test annually. In case of a negative reaction (i.e. in the absence of an immune response to tuberculin), it is recommended to take anti-tuberculosis drugs for a year.
• Prevention of Pneumocystis pneumonia is carried out for all HIV-infected people with a decrease in CD 4 lymphocytes below 200/μl, as well as with fever of unknown origin with a temperature above 37.8ºC that persists for more than 2 weeks. Prevention is carried out with biseptol.

Opportunistic infections– these are infections caused by opportunistic microorganisms that are normal inhabitants of our body, and under normal conditions are not capable of causing disease.

• Toxoplasmosis - the causative agent is Toxoplasma gondii. The disease manifests itself as toxoplasma encephalitis, i.e. damage to the brain substance, with the development of epileptic seizures, hemiparesis (paralysis of half the body), aphasia (lack of speech). Confusion, daze, and coma may also occur.
• Intestinal helminthiasis - the causative agents are many helminths (worms). In patients AIDS can lead to severe diarrhea and dehydration.
• Tuberculosis . Mycobacterium tuberculosis is common even among healthy individuals, but they can cause disease only if the immune system is impaired. This is why most HIV-infected people are prone to developing active tuberculosis, including its severe forms. In approximately 60-80% of HIV-infected people, tuberculosis affects the lungs, and in 30-40% it affects other organs.
• Bacterial pneumonia . The most common pathogens are Staphylococcus aureus and pneumococcus. Often pneumonia is severe with the development of generalized forms of infection, i.e. entry and proliferation of bacteria in the blood - sepsis.
• Intestinal infections – salmonellosis, dysentery, typhoid fever. Even mild forms of the disease, which go away without treatment in healthy people, last a long time in HIV-infected people with numerous complications, prolonged diarrhea and generalization of the infection.
• Syphilis – In HIV-infected people, complex and rare forms of syphilis such as neurosyphilis and syphilitic nephritis (kidney damage) are more common. Complications of syphilis develop faster in AIDS patients, sometimes even with intensive treatment.
• Pneumocystis pneumonia . The causative agent of Pneumocystis pneumonia is a normal inhabitant of the lungs, but with decreased immunity it can cause severe pneumonia. The causative agent is usually classified as a fungus. Pneumocystis pneumonia develops at least once in 50% of HIV-infected people. Typical symptoms of Pneumocystis pneumonia are: fever, cough with a small amount of sputum, chest pain that gets worse with inspiration. Subsequently, shortness of breath during physical activity and weight loss may occur.
• Candidiasis is the most common fungal infection in HIV-infected people, since the causative agent, the fungus Candida albicans, is normally found in large quantities on the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, and genitourinary tract. In one form or another, candidiasis occurs in all HIV-infected patients. Candidiasis (or thrush) manifests itself as a white, cheesy coating on the palate, tongue, cheeks, throat, and vaginal discharge. In later stages of AIDS, candidiasis of the esophagus, trachea, bronchi and lungs is possible.
• Cryptococcosis is the leading cause of meningitis (inflammation of the meninges) among HIV-infected patients. The causative agent, a yeast fungus, enters the body through the respiratory tract, but in most cases affects the brain and its membranes. Manifestations of cryptococcosis include: fever, nausea and vomiting, impaired consciousness, headache. There are also pulmonary forms of cryptococcal infection - which are accompanied by cough, shortness of breath, and hemoptysis. In more than half of patients, the fungus penetrates and multiplies in the blood.
• Herpetic infection. HIV-infected people are characterized by frequent relapses of herpes of the face, oral cavity, genitals and perianal area. As the disease progresses, the frequency and intensity of relapses increases. Herpetic lesions do not heal for a long time and lead to extremely painful and extensive damage to the skin and mucous membranes.
• Hepatitis – more than 95% of HIV-infected people are infected with the hepatitis B virus, many of them are also concomitantly infected with the hepatitis D virus. Active hepatitis B is rare in HIV-infected people, but hepatitis D in these patients is severe.

Neoplasms in HIV infection

In addition to an increased susceptibility to infections, patients AIDS the tendency to form both benign and malignant tumors increases, since tumors are also controlled by the immune system, in particular CD4 lymphocytes.

• Kaposi's sarcoma is a vascular tumor that can affect the skin, mucous membranes and internal organs. The clinical manifestations of Kaposi's sarcoma are varied. Initial manifestations appear as small red-purple nodules raised above the surface of the skin, most often occurring in exposed areas most exposed to direct sunlight. As the nodes progress, they can merge, disfiguring the skin and, if located on the legs, limiting physical activity. Of the internal organs, Kaposi's sarcoma most often affects the gastrointestinal tract and lungs, but sometimes the brain and heart.
• Lymphomas are late manifestations HIV infection. Lymphomas can affect both the lymph nodes and internal organs, including the brain and spinal cord. Clinical manifestations depend on the location of the lymphoma, but are almost always accompanied by fever, weight loss, and night sweats. Lymphomas can manifest as rapidly growing mass formations in the oral cavity, epileptic seizures, headaches, etc.
• Other malignancies occur in HIV-infected people with the same frequency as in the general population. However, in patients HIV they have a rapid course and are difficult to treat.

Neurological disorders

• AIDS dementia syndrome;

Dementia is a progressive decline in intelligence, which is manifested by impaired attention and ability to concentrate, memory deterioration, difficulty reading and solving problems.

In addition, manifestations of AIDS dementia syndrome are motor and behavioral disorders: impaired ability to maintain a certain posture, difficulty walking, tremor (twitching of various parts of the body), apathy.

In the later stages of AIDS dementia syndrome, urinary and fecal incontinence may occur, and in some cases a vegetative state develops.

Severe AIDS-dementia syndrome develops in 25% of HIV-infected people.

The cause of the syndrome has not been definitively established. It is believed to be caused by the direct effect of the virus on the brain and spinal cord.

• Epileptic seizures;

The causes of epileptic seizures can be opportunistic infections affecting the brain, neoplasms or AIDS dementia syndrome.

The most common causes are: toxoplasma encephalitis, brain lymphoma, cryptococcal meningitis and AIDS dementia syndrome.

• Neuropathy;

A common complication of HIV infection that can occur at any stage. Clinical manifestations are varied. In the early stages, it can occur in the form of progressive muscle weakness and minor sensory impairment. In the future, the manifestations may progress, including burning pain in the legs.

Living with HIV

Positive test for HIV... What to do about it? How to react? How to live further?

First, try to overcome panic as quickly as possible. Yes, AIDS fatal disease, but before development AIDS you can live 10, or even 20 years. In addition, scientists all over the world are now actively searching for effective drugs; many recently developed drugs actually significantly prolong life and improve the well-being of patients AIDS. Nobody knows what science in this area will reach in 5-10 years.

WITH HIV you need to learn to live. Unfortunately, life will never be the same again. For a long time (possibly many years), no signs of illness may appear; the person feels completely healthy and full of strength. But we should not forget about infection.

First of all, you need to protect your loved ones - they must know about infection. It can be very difficult to tell your parents or loved one about HIV-positive analysis. But no matter how difficult it may be, loved ones should not be at risk, so your partner(s) (both current and former) must be informed of the test result.

Any sex, even with a condom, can be dangerous in terms of transmitting the virus, even if sometimes the risk is extremely small. Therefore, when a new partner appears, you need to give the person the opportunity to make his own choice. It must be remembered that not only vaginal or anal sex, but also oral sex can be dangerous.

Medical supervision:

Although there may be no signs of illness, regular monitoring of the condition is required. Typically this control is carried out in specialized AIDS-centers. Timely detection of disease progression and onset of development AIDS, and, therefore, timely treatment is the basis for successful treatment in the future and slowing down the progression of the disease. The level of CD 4 lymphocytes is usually monitored, as well as the level of viral replication. In addition, the general condition of the patient and the possible presence of opportunistic infections are assessed. Normal indicators of the state of immunity allow us to exclude the presence AIDS, which means they allow you to lead a normal life and not be afraid of any runny nose.

Pregnancy:

Most people become infected HIV In young age. Many women want to have children. They feel absolutely healthy and able to give birth and raise a child. No one can prohibit the birth of a child - this is the mother’s personal matter. However, before planning a pregnancy, you need to weigh the pros and cons. After all, HIV is most likely transmitted through the placenta, as well as during childbirth through the birth canal. Is it worth exposing a child to congenital carriage of HIV, growth under constant medical supervision, and taking toxic drugs? Even if the child does not become infected, he risks being left without parents before reaching adulthood... If the decision is nevertheless made, you need to treat pregnancy planning and pregnancy with full responsibility and, even before pregnancy, contact a doctor at the AIDS center, who will guide your actions and review treatment.

Life with AIDS:

When the CD 4 count falls below 200/μL, an opportunistic infection occurs or any other sign of a decreased immune response is diagnosed AIDS. Such people should follow a number of rules.

• Proper nutrition: You should not follow any diet, any malnutrition can be harmful. Nutrition should be high in calories and balanced.
• Give up bad habits: alcohol and smoking
• Moderate physical exercise can have a positive effect on the immune status of HIV-infected people
• You should discuss the possibility of vaccinations against certain infections with your healthcare provider. Not all vaccines can be used in people living with HIV. In particular, live vaccines should not be used. However, killed and particulate vaccines are suitable for many people living with HIV, depending on their immune status.
• It is always necessary to pay attention to the quality of food and water consumed. Fruits and vegetables must be thoroughly washed with boiled water, food must be heat-treated. Untested water must be disinfected; in some countries with hot climates, even tap water can be contaminated.
• Communication with animals: it is better to exclude any contact with unfamiliar (especially homeless) animals. At the very least, you should definitely wash your hands after touching an animal, even your own. You need to look after your pet especially carefully: try to prevent it from interacting with other animals and do not allow it to touch garbage on the street. After a walk, be sure to wash it, preferably with gloves. It is also better to wear gloves when cleaning up after an animal.
• Try to limit your communication with sick or cold people. If communication is necessary, you should use a mask and wash your hands after contact with sick people.

The human immunodeficiency virus, which is commonly called simply HIV, is a very insidious microorganism, since it can stay in the patient’s body for a long time and gradually destroy it. Moreover, the person does not even realize that he is sick.

The clinical course of HIV infection, especially in the early stages, is not characterized by pronounced symptoms, which makes diagnosing the disease difficult. Patients attribute the first signs to fatigue or do not notice them at all for a long time. But at the same time, it has been proven that the first symptoms of HIV in women are more pronounced than in men, which makes diagnosis a little easier.

In this topic we want to tell you what HIV infection is, how to fight it and what are the methods of its prevention. We will also look in detail at the symptoms of HIV in women in the early and late stages.

HIV, as we said earlier, is a virus that enters the human body, multiplies in it and blocks the functioning of the immune system. As a result, the human body cannot resist not only pathogenic microbes, but even opportunistic microorganisms.

When a person becomes infected with HIV, he is called HIV-infected, but not sick. The disease is spoken of when symptoms of AIDS appear. It has been proven that there is a fairly long period of time between the moment of infection and the development of the disease.

The term AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

AIDS is the final stage of development of HIV infection, which is characterized by a combination of diseases and their symptoms that appear as a result of a decrease in the body’s protective properties.

HIV: characteristics and routes of transmission

HIV belongs to the retrovirus family. There are two types of HIV – 1 and 2. Let’s look at the features of HIV.

• The genome of the virus, represented by double-stranded RNA. The pathogen also has a number of antigens to which the human body produces corresponding antibodies.
• This virus differs from other viruses in that it has a special enzyme – reverse transcriptase, the main purpose of which is to introduce the information encoded in the RNA of the virus into the patient’s DNA.
• HIV, tropic to human cells that have CD4 receptors.
• Almost all disinfectant solutions and high temperatures have a detrimental effect on HIV.
• The source of this infection is an HIV-infected person or a person with AIDS.
• HIV circulates in all biological fluids, namely: tears, saliva, blood, semen, breast milk, vaginal secretions and others.

The largest amount of the virus is concentrated in blood, semen and vaginal secretions, as well as breast milk. That's why the disease can be transmitted in the following ways:

• sexual: during sexual intercourse;
• vertical: from mother to child during pregnancy, passage through the birth canal, when breastfeeding through breast milk;
• blood transfusion: transfusion of infected blood;
• blood-contact: through medical instruments and needles that contain remains of blood contaminated with HIV;
• transplantation: during transplantation of organs and tissues from an HIV-infected donor.

HIV is not transmitted through a kiss, air, handshake, insects, clothing or shared utensils. But there is a low risk of contracting this infection through razors and manicure accessories used by a sick or HIV-infected person if there are blood residues on them after cuts.

HIV: risk groups

Given the various routes of HIV transmission, The following high-risk groups can be formed:

• injection drug addicts;
• sexual partners of drug addicts;
• persons with a disordered intimate life who prefer sexual intercourse without the use of barrier contraceptives;
• patients who received blood transfusions without prior HIV testing;
• medical workers (nurses, surgeons, dentists, obstetricians-gynecologists and others);
• men and women who provide sexual services for money, as well as persons who use such services.

During HIV infection, the following stages are distinguished:

Early Symptoms of HIV in women may include:

Early symptoms of HIV infection in a woman manifest on average after one month with a flu-like syndrome, so most patients rarely seek medical help and treat their “cold” on their own at home. Literally after two weeks, the above symptoms subside.

In the photo you can see what the skin manifestations of HIV infection and AIDS look like.

Symptoms of the latent stage

The latent stage of HIV infection in women is characterized by an asymptomatic latent course. Patients lead normal lives, not even suspecting that they are infected, while the virus actively multiplies and gradually destroys the immune system.

In addition, despite the fact that the disease does not manifest itself in any way, a woman can be a source of infection, especially for her sexual partner.

Stage of secondary diseases

This stage of the course of HIV is characterized by the addition of opportunistic infections, such as:

• mycoses of various localizations;
• skin lesions (condylomas, papillomas, pink rash, urticaria, aphthae, seborrhea, lichen psoriasis, rubrophytia, molluscum contagiosum and others);
• diseases of a viral nature;
• bacterial infections;
• shingles;
• inflammation of the paranasal sinuses;
• inflammation of the pharynx;
• chronic diarrhea;
• increased body temperature;
• pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis;
• hairy leukoplakia
• CNS lesions;
• cancer tumors of various locations;
• Kaposi's sarcoma and others.

Symptoms of AIDS in women

Symptoms of AIDS in women appear if HIV infection is not treated.

Signs of the transition of HIV infection to AIDS are the following manifestations:

If you have been experiencing fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, excessive sweating and other symptoms characteristic of HIV infection for more than a month, especially if you are in a high-risk group, we strongly recommend that you undergo free anonymous HIV testing at your nearest clinic , an anonymous HIV/AIDS diagnostic room or a center for the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS.

• All pregnant women undergo HIV testing in the first and second trimester. In case of a positive HIV test, the woman is sent for consultation to the AIDS center, where the test is repeated and a consultation with an infectious disease specialist is held.
• A child can become infected with HIV from the mother in several ways: in late pregnancy, during passage through the birth canal, or during breastfeeding.
• Modern antiretroviral drugs that a woman takes during pregnancy minimize the risk of transmitting the virus to the child. All medications prescribed by a specialist at the center are dispensed at the pharmacy free of charge with a prescription.
• Without treatment, every second child is born with HIV.
• All children born to HIV-positive mothers or fathers are examined three times using PCR.

HIV diagnosis

What are the most accurate tests for detecting HIV? Today there are only two tests to detect HIV, namely:

• immunofluorescence test (ELISA) of blood, which is carried out to detect antibodies to HIV. It takes several weeks for the formation of antibodies to the pathogen, so ELISA is recommended to be carried out 2-3 weeks after the suspected infection. Performing this test before the specified time will be uninformative;
• immunoblotting reaction, which is carried out in the presence of a positive ELISA. The method is based on the detection of antibodies to HIV. The reliability of this test is close to 100%.

Also, polymerase chain reaction and rapid methods that detect the presence of the virus itself can be used to diagnose HIV.

HIV treatment

Treatment of HIV consists of systematically taking antiretroviral drugs, symptomatic therapy and prevention of concomitant diseases.

The most effective drugs against HIV today are Zidovudine, Nevirapine and Didanosine.

All antiretroviral drugs are issued free of charge at the pharmacy of the HIV/AIDS Center upon presentation of a prescription from the attending infectious disease specialist.

Unfortunately, despite the high level of development of world medicine, it has not yet been possible to find an effective medicine that could completely cure HIV. But early detection of HIV significantly affects the prognosis of the disease, since modern antiretroviral drugs, when prescribed in a timely manner, can stop the progression of the disease.

Most often, HIV infection is diagnosed only at the stage of secondary manifestations, when symptoms of trouble become obvious. Signs at the stage of primary manifestations are often blurred and disappear quickly. Infected people do not attach any importance to them. On the other hand, sometimes the cause of the initial symptoms cannot be identified.

Human immunodeficiency virus is a retrovirus that causes HIV infection. Depending on the clinical signs of HIV infection, the following stages are distinguished:

• Incubation period.
• Primary manifestations:
  acute infection;
  asymptomatic infection;
  generalized lymphadenopathy.
• Secondary manifestations.
  damage to the skin and mucous membranes;
  persistent damage to internal organs;
  generalized diseases.
• Terminal stage.

The primary signs of HIV infection are the same in men and women. Only with the appearance of secondary symptoms does a diagnosis of HIV infection become suspected. At the stage of secondary manifestations, features of the course of the disease in people of different sexes are formed.

How long does it take for HIV to appear?

The very first symptoms of HIV infection, which often go unnoticed, appear between 4 months and 5 years after infection.
The first signs of secondary manifestations of HIV infection can occur anywhere from 5 months to many years after infection.

Incubation period

For some time after infection, the disease does not manifest itself in any way. This period is called incubation and lasts from 4 months to 5 years or more. At this time, the patient does not have any abnormalities in tests, including serological, hematological and immunological. A person is outwardly completely healthy, but he poses a danger as a source of infection to other people.

Some time after infection, the acute stage of the disease begins. At this stage, HIV infection can already be suspected based on certain clinical signs.

Acute infection

The most common first manifestation of HIV infection is symptoms resembling. A person’s temperature rises to 38˚C or higher for no apparent reason, inflammation of the tonsils appears (), and the lymph nodes become inflamed (usually the cervical ones). The cause of the increase in temperature often cannot be determined; it does not decrease after taking antipyretics and antibiotics. At the same time, severe weakness and fatigue appear, mainly at night. The patient suffers from headache, loss of appetite, and disturbed sleep.

When examining the patient, one can determine the enlargement of the liver and, which is accompanied by complaints of heaviness in the hypochondrium, aching pain there. A small maculopapular rash appears on the skin in the form of small pale pink spots, sometimes merging into larger formations. A long-term intestinal disorder appears in the form.

In blood tests with this variant of the onset of the disease, an increased level of leukocytes, lymphocytes is determined, and atypical mononuclear cells are detected.

This variant of the first symptoms of HIV infection is observed in 30% of patients.

In other cases, acute infection may manifest as serous or encephalitis. These conditions are characterized by intense headache, often nausea and vomiting, and increased body temperature.

Sometimes the first symptom of HIV infection is inflammation of the esophagus - esophagitis, accompanied by chest pain and difficulty swallowing.
Other nonspecific symptoms of the disease, as well as an asymptomatic course, are also possible. The duration of this stage ranges from several days to 2 months, after which all signs of the disease disappear again. Antibodies to HIV may also not be detected at this stage.

Asymptomatic carrier stage

At this stage, there are no clinical signs of infection, but antibodies to HIV are already detected in the blood. If the damage to the immune system is minor, then this stage can last for many years. Within 5 years after infection, the following stages of HIV infection develop in only 20–30% of those infected. In some patients, the carrier stage, on the contrary, is very short (about a month).

Generalized lymphadenopathy

Generalized lymphadenopathy is an enlargement of the lymph nodes of two or more groups, not counting the inguinal ones. It may be the first symptom of HIV if the previous stages were erased.

Most often the cervical lymph nodes are affected, especially those located on the back of the neck. In addition, the lymph nodes above the collarbones, axillae, and in the elbow and popliteal fossae may become enlarged. The inguinal lymph nodes enlarge less frequently and later than the others.

Lymph nodes increase in size from 1 to 5 cm or more, they are mobile, painless, not fused to the skin. The surface of the skin over them is not changed.
At the same time, there are no other causes of enlarged lymph nodes (infectious diseases, medications), so such lymphadenopathy is sometimes mistakenly regarded as difficult to explain.

The stage of enlarged lymph nodes lasts 3 months or more. Gradually at this stage body weight begins to decrease.

Secondary manifestations

The occurrence of secondary manifestations may be the first sign of HIV infection, even if many years have passed since infection. The most common conditions that occur are:

1. Pneumocystis pneumonia.
   A person’s body temperature rises, a cough appears, first dry, and then with sputum. Arises and then at rest. The general condition worsens. Such pneumonia is difficult to treat with traditional antibiotics.
2. Kaposi's sarcoma.
   This is a tumor that develops from lymphatic vessels. It is more common in young men. Kaposi's sarcoma is externally manifested by the formation of many small cherry-colored tumors on the head, torso, limbs, and in the oral cavity.
3. Generalized infection (candidiasis,).
   Generalized infectious diseases occur more often in women. This is mainly due to the fact that HIV-infected women are most often prostitutes or promiscuous. At the same time, they very often become infected with vaginal candidiasis and herpes. The emergence of HIV infection leads to the spread and severe course of these diseases.
4. Damage to the nervous system, manifested primarily by memory loss. Subsequently, progressive development develops.

Features of the first signs of HIV infection in women

Women are much more likely than men to experience secondary manifestations such as herpes, cytomegalovirus infection and vaginal candidiasis, as well as candidal esophagitis.

In addition, at the stage of secondary manifestations, the first signs of the disease may be inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs, most often acute. Diseases of the cervix, such as carcinoma or dysplasia, may occur.

Features of HIV infection in children

Children infected with HIV in utero have peculiarities in the course of the disease. Children get sick in the first 4–6 months after birth. The main and early symptom of the disease is damage to the central nervous system. The child is lagging behind in weight, physical and mental development. He cannot sit and his speech is delayed. A child infected with HIV is susceptible to various purulent diseases and intestinal dysfunction.

Which doctor should I contact?

If you suspect HIV infection, you should contact an infectious disease specialist. The test can be taken anonymously at the AIDS Prevention and Control Center, which is located in every region. There, doctors also provide consultations on all issues related to HIV infection and AIDS. For secondary diseases, a pulmonologist (for pneumonia), a dermatologist (for Kaposi's sarcoma), a gynecologist (for diseases of the genital organs in women), a hepatologist (for often concomitant viral hepatitis), and a neurologist (for brain damage) are involved in the treatment. Infected children are seen not only by an infectious disease specialist, but also by a pediatrician.

The immunodeficiency virus, penetrating the body, begins to actively multiply and affect the functioning of all internal organs. In this case, there is a violation of their functions and the development of certain pathological processes. Diseases arising from HIV are characterized by a particularly malignant course, regardless of location.

AIDS (HIV) marker disease is any pathological process that develops against the background of immunodeficiency. As a rule, these arise due to the fact that the body is weakened and cannot fully resist even the most common cold, not to mention more serious types of HIV diseases.

Any person can become infected with such a disease if he does not follow the basic rules. To exclude the development of diseases caused by HIV viruses, you should know the routes of transmission of infection. They are:

• Through blood: the use of contaminated medical instruments, syringes among drug addicts.
• Transplacentally: a child can become infected from a sick mother both during childbirth and by consuming breast milk.
• Sexually. With unprotected sexual contact, the possibility of infection is almost 100%.

AIDS-indicative diseases include all pathologies that arise against the background of immunodeficiency. Why do they develop and how often do HIV-infected patients get sick?

Mechanism of development of AIDS-defining diseases

After a retrovirus enters the human body, it can remain completely unnoticed there. In this case, they speak of the asymptomatic development of the disease, and the patient does not even suspect the presence of a problem. This period can last several years, and the reason for the detection of pathology is secondary diseases associated with HIV, which often become the first signs of a terrible disease.

Penetrating into the body, the virus begins to bind to target cells, in most cases they become T-lymphocytes. It is their number that progressively decreases when the pathological process is advanced. The virus binds to the cell using the CD4 receptor and then penetrates the structure. From this moment on, the body is considered infected and it is not yet possible to cure it completely.

What diseases are considered indicators for HIV?

Each of their pathologies has its own characteristics of the course of the disease during HIV infection. As a rule, this means a more aggressive development of any disease than in patients who do not suffer from immunodeficiency.

AIDS and other diseases accompanying this pathology require mandatory treatment immediately after detection. Otherwise, the risk of more rapid development of pathology increases significantly. Any doctor can tell you how HIV-infected people get sick, but not one will say that these conditions are easy. Frequent concomitant diseases with HIV (AIDS) are the reason for adjusting the treatment regimen, which will be aimed at strengthening the immune system.

HIV-associated diseases

AIDS is caused by viruses, which completely destroy the immune system. HIV-associated pathologies develop in almost every patient. In turn, experts divide them into two categories:

• The first includes a number of AIDS-associated infections, in the presence of which a doctor can diagnose an immunodeficiency state without ordering additional tests. This category includes fungal infection of internal organs, in particular the esophagus, respiratory system, cryptococcosis, pneumonia caused by pneumococcus, viral pathologies (herpes, cytomegalovirus).
• The second group includes AIDS-associated diseases, which are quite common and can occur even in people who do not suffer from immunodeficiency. These are pathologies of fungal and bacterial origin that affect the skin, lymph nodes, internal organs, tumors, and brain diseases. If the development of HIV and related diseases is suspected, an additional test is carried out to determine antibodies to the virus.

Respiratory damage

According to statistics, AIDS-associated infections affect the respiratory system in more than 60% of cases. The most dangerous and at the same time widespread is tuberculosis. It is caused by mycobacteria, which are transmitted by airborne droplets. Both adults and children can become infected.

Tuberculosis against the background of immunodeficiency is malignant and rapidly progresses. For the purpose of early diagnosis, all infected patients undergo screening examinations twice a year. The Mantoux reaction is also shown.

• The first signs of tuberculosis are:
• Fever.
• Increased sweating, especially at night.
• Weakness, fatigue.
• A wet cough that lasts more than 21 days.
• Chest pain.

If any of the above signs appear, you should immediately seek specialized help.

Patients often develop Pneumocystis pneumonia. It is accompanied by hyperthermia, chest pain, cough, shortness of breath, and weight loss. The inflammatory process is difficult and almost impossible to avoid. Therefore, for prevention, patients periodically take medications for the purpose of prevention.

It is also possible to develop other problems with the respiratory system, which are caused by bacterial, viral, and fungal flora.

Skin manifestations

HIV-associated infections often present with skin lesions. Most often, their development is caused by a fungus. In this case, red, brown or pinkish rashes appear on the surface. They may be accompanied by itching and pain. It is important to remember that any such manifestations require mandatory treatment, since there is a high risk of secondary infection.

Any scratches, punctures, or damage, even the smallest ones, also cannot be ignored. In healthy people, such problems usually go away on their own, while in case of immunodeficiency they require mandatory treatment, since they can also cause secondary infections. If this happens, the wound becomes painful, the edges swell, rise, and a local increase in temperature is observed.

Seborrheic dermatitis is also a secondary disease of HIV infection. It is accompanied by itching and flaking of the scalp.

Tumor processes

The development of neoplasms in AIDS is observed quite often. The most common is Kaposi's Sarcoma. It manifests itself as a red or brownish rash, which is localized mainly on the mucous membrane of the mouth and skin. The elements are flat or slightly convex, painful. The pathology is not contagious. Treatment is carried out using radiation therapy.

Other common tumors include cervical cancer in women, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and leukemia.

Viral diseases

Herpes and cytomegalovirus are considered the most common HIV-associated diseases. The first appears in the form of small bubbles with transparent contents. When integrity is violated, painful wound surfaces are exposed. Similar elements are localized in the oral cavity, near the lips, and on the genitals. In the latter case, infection occurs through sexual contact. Local and general antiviral drugs are used for treatment.

Cytomegalovirus significantly complicates the course of HIV infection. Often accompanied by eye damage, therefore, when diagnosing this problem, it is necessary to regularly consult an ophthalmologist.

In addition, the concept of HIV-associated diseases also includes damage to the nervous system, which manifests itself in the form of encephalitis, meningitis, dementia, myelopathy, encephalopathy, and various types of polyneuropathy. Myopathic syndrome is also sometimes detected, which is manifested by muscle weakness, pain, and increased fatigue. When performing a biopsy, it is possible to see the degeneration of myofibrils.

The AIDS-associated complex consists of many pathological processes that significantly complicate the course of immunodeficiency. They can be localized in any of the organs, but each requires mandatory therapy. This will help improve the quality of life and prolong it.

AIDS is an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. This is not a disease, but a syndrome manifested by a variety of diseases that can lead to death. The causative agent of AIDS is considered to be the human immunodeficiency virus, which affects the blood and sharply reduces the body's ability to resist tumor and infectious diseases.

What is AIDS

AIDS is acquired immune deficiency syndrome. This means that the disease is acquired by a person (it is not transmitted through genes, although a mother can pass it on to her child during fetal development, during childbirth, or through breast milk).

AIDS attacks and weakens the immune system, causing the body to lose its ability to protect itself from various diseases and from so-called spillover infections (infections that occur as a side effect of a weakened immune system).

The term “AIDS” includes 3 concepts:

• Syndrome means that the disease manifests itself in a stable combination of several symptoms at once.
• Acquired – that is, the disease is not hereditary, but develops throughout life.
• Immunodeficiency – the patient’s body is not able to cope with all kinds of infections on its own.

AIDS is one of those diseases that is said to kill slowly but surely. The infectious agent changes the DNA structure of healthy cells and can persist in the host’s body for more than 3 years. Throughout this period, it does not lose its activity and gradually becomes an integral element in the blood.

It is with this feature of the virus that researchers associate an extremely high risk of contracting AIDS when using poorly sterilized instruments that previously came into direct contact with the blood of an infected person.

HIV and AIDS: what is it?

It is worth immediately noting that the two terms “AIDS” and “HIV” differ from each other. These are not synonyms, as most people think. AIDS is a term that refers to a deficiency of immunity that can develop due to prolonged exposure to radiation, chronic illnesses, and the use of potent pharmaceutical drugs. But recently this term is used only to refer to the last stage of HIV.

Scientists and specialists distinguish four stages in the course of HIV infection:

• incubation period;
• first signs;
• secondary diseases;

The very first signs of AIDS

Patients with HIV infection are seen by an infectious disease specialist. Additionally, a consultation is carried out with an immunologist, therapist, and in case of damage to organs and systems, an examination by a specialized specialist: pulmonologist, neurologist, dermatologist, gastroenterologist.

When infected with HIV, a person does not find out about it in the first days after infection. Its early signs can become apparent after 2–6 weeks. In most cases, they are expressed by symptoms of flu, or mononucleosis. In the stage of primary manifestations of AIDS, some patients experience:

• temperature increase;
• chills;
• muscle pain;
• enlarged cervical lymph nodes.

Some people who become infected do not have these symptoms, and this course of HIV infection is called the asymptomatic stage.

The first signs of a disease such as AIDS may be wounds that take a long time to heal. An ordinary scratch festers and bleeds for quite a long period. Further, the disease can occur in several forms:

• The pulmonary form is the development of Pneumocystis pneumonia.
• Intestinal – prolonged diarrhea leads to dehydration and rapid weight loss.
• Skin damage is the appearance of ulcers and erosions on the body, which gradually progress.
• Damage to the nervous system leads to memory impairment, constant apathy, and epileptic seizures.

Causes of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

The causative agent is the human immunodeficiency virus of the retrovirus family. By attaching to and penetrating leukocytes, it begins the process of active replication, spreading throughout the body. HIV not only malignizes lymphocytes, but also destroys them. Gradually, the number of CD4 lymphocytes decreases and when their number is less than 200 per ml, a diagnosis of AIDS is made.

The source is a person who becomes infectious already during the incubation period (the period from the moment of infection until the appearance of clinical symptoms), the infectious period continues into the febrile stage of HIV infection, the latent stage of secondary diseases.

The patient releases the greatest amount of virus with all biological environments precisely at the stage of AIDS (terminal stage).

HIV is not transmitted through normal contact with infected people, so you should not be afraid of infection. AIDS is not transmitted in the following ways:

• When using a swimming pool or public toilet.
• When kissing, shaking hands or hugging (naturally, if people do not have open bleeding wounds at the point of contact when shaking hands and kissing, but it is quite difficult to imagine this).
• Airborne droplets.
• When using household items.
• Through food.
• When bitten by various blood-sucking insects (for example, mosquitoes).
• When touching the doorknob.
• In contact with pets.

Transmission routes

The following transmission routes exist:

• during sexual intercourse with an infected person;
• in the womb, when AIDS is transmitted directly to the fetus through the placenta;
• when transfusion of contaminated blood or when it enters the body in any other way, for example, when using poorly processed surgical instruments.

Symptoms of AIDS in adults

It is worth noting that HIV occurs in three stages:

• acute febrile;
• asymptomatic;
• AIDS or advanced stage.

In the acute febrile stage, the infection manifests itself in the form of nonspecific symptoms, such as:

• headache,
• sore throat, muscle and/or joint pain,
• elevated temperature (usually subfebrile - up to 37.5°C),
• nausea,
• diarrhea,
• swelling of the lymph nodes.

At the next stage of the course of HIV infection, the above main signs and symptoms of AIDS are supplemented by significant loss of body weight (more than 10% of total weight). The patient may experience:

• tuberculosis;
• toxoplasmosis;
• lymphoma;
• Kaposi's sarcoma;
• Pneumocystis pneumonia, etc.

Severe AIDS is also accompanied by serious neurological disorders.

Symptoms to look out for and get checked

In order not to miss the first symptoms of AIDS in time, you need to know what they include:

• Causeless and asymptomatic elevated body temperature of the patient up to 37.5-38 degrees, which disappears as suddenly as it appears.
• Enlarged lymph nodes in the groin, armpits, and neck. They do not hurt and have a compacted structure to the touch.
• Red spots all over the body.
• Increased fatigue.
• Intermittent fever and night sweats.
• Sometimes there is discomfort in the throat, pain when swallowing.
• Problems with stool, diarrhea.

Such symptoms are characteristic of simple or, so many do not pay attention to these signs.

Infectious diseases that affect people with AIDS are called opportunistic diseases. Their peculiarity is that the causative agents of these infections often live in the human body, but the immune system does not give them the opportunity to become active. Activation indicates a serious immunodeficiency. Therefore, the occurrence of opportunistic infections is always a direct indication to be tested for HIV.

Complications

Complications of AIDS:

• HPV, or;
• histoplasmosis;
• Pneumocystis pneumonia;
• cryptococcal;
• cryptosporosis;
• herpes zoster;
• Kaposi's sarcoma;
• invasive cervical cancer;
• side effects of medications.

Complications are observed among patients diagnosed with HIV at the stage of AIDS, as well as in people who are not receiving antiretroviral therapy or who are resistant to these drugs.

Diagnostics

If a person shows the first signs of AIDS, he should immediately contact a medical facility for diagnosis, confirmation or refutation of the diagnosis. Only a competent doctor can confirm the presence of such a dangerous disease after examination and receipt of test results.

Patients with HIV infection are being seen by an infectious disease specialist. Additionally, a consultation is carried out with an immunologist, therapist, and in case of damage to organs and systems, an examination by a specialized specialist: pulmonologist, neurologist, dermatologist, gastroenterologist.

Laboratory diagnosis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome:

• specific – decrease in the level of CD4 lymphocytes to 50 cells per μl; increase in viral load;
• specific laboratory criteria for a particular infection (blood and other biological fluids for antigens and antibodies, PCR diagnostics);
• general laboratory data (blood, urine, biochemical tests).
• instrumental diagnosis of lesions of certain organs and systems (ultrasound, X-ray, MRI).

A person is diagnosed with AIDS when they have less than 200 T4/CD4 cells per cubic meter in their blood. mm. At a normal level, there are approximately 1000 such cells. In addition, a person may have secondary infections or diseases that accompany AIDS.

Treatment methods

Is there a cure for AIDS? No. But methods, technologies and drugs have been developed to combat cancer and opportunistic infections - consequences of decreased immunity. Proper suppression of the virus and stimulation of the body’s defense response should be developed by qualified doctors.

Scientists have developed special treatment regimens that can significantly slow down the development of the disease. The most popular antiretroviral and other drugs to fight AIDS:

• zidovudine;
• zalcitabine, stavudine and didanosine;
• trimethoprim, pentamidine, foscarnet, ganciclovir, fluconazole;
• saquinavir, indinavir, ritonavir;
• nevirapine and nelfinavir.

Treatment of AIDS patients includes several areas:

• Mandatory hospitalization of patients in specialized departments of clinics dealing with the problems of HIV-infected people.
• Skilled nursing.
• Complete nutrition.
• Active antiretroviral therapy, which even at the AIDS stage makes it possible to increase the number of CD4+ lymphocytes so that the patient’s body at least somehow begins to resist infections.
• Specific treatment aimed at combating developed secondary diseases.
• Chemoprophylaxis of opportunistic infections

AIDS prevention

Prevention includes the need to:

• have only one sexual partner;
• avoid sexual relations with unfamiliar and suspicious people, prostitutes, drug addicts;
• have no group contacts;
• use condoms;
• do not use other people’s machines, razors, toothbrushes, used medical devices;
• insist on disposable instruments in the office of a dentist, gynecologist, cosmetologist and other specialists.

The difficulty in identifying the disease is that its symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. AIDS has no specific phenomena. Even if your temperature rises frequently and without any complaints, doctors do not always suspect AIDS. You must go to the AIDS center yourself and conduct an HIV test.