ALSO KNOWN AS:Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or HIV infection
DESCRIPTION:
AIDS is caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus HIV-1. The HIV virus infects cells in the body that fight infection. The primary cell infected is the CD4 lymphocyte, but it infects other infection-fighting cells as well. This causes immune system impairment and difficulty fighting infection. Because the immune system has a role in cancer prevention, there is also an increase in certain cancers. To be HIV positive means that one is infected with the HIV virus. To be given the diagnosis of AIDS, one must be infected with HIV, which means that the HIV infection has compromised the immune system to
the extent that an AIDS-defining illness (one of multiple illnesses) has occurred. Before current "triple therapy" was developed, nearly all those who were HIV positive went on to develop AIDS. Now it is not the case. But, not all persons respond to "triple therapy" and a proportion still goes on to develop AIDS.
SYMPTOMS:
* HIV syndrome occurs 3 to 6 weeks after infection and includes :
1.Fever
2.Sweats
3.Sore throat
4.Enlarged lymph glands
5.Headaches
6.Weight loss
7.Joint aches
8.Muscle aches
9.Diarrhea
10.Rash
11.Oral ulcers
* Symptoms of any opportunistic illness (i.e., bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and
viruses)
* Some may not develop any symptoms for years after exposure.
* Candidiasis (white patches in mouth)
* Pneumocystis carinii (lung infection characterized by dry cough and shortness
of breath)
* Atypical mycobacterium
* Toxoplasmosis (infection in brain with confusion)
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (causes dementia)
* Herpes simplex (causes ulcers that persist over 1 month)
* Lymphoma (enlarged glands)
* Kaposi's sarcoma (purple skin lesions)
* Diarrheas -- cryptosporidosis and isoporiasis
* Recurrent pneumonias
* Tuberculosis (cough)
* HIV encephalopathy (dementia)
* HIV wasting syndrome
* Cytomegalovirus infection /blindness
* Cryptococcosis (especially meningitis)
* Disseminated coccidiomycosis (fungal infection found in Southwest United
States, typically affects lungs, but in HIV may go into spinal fluid and cause
meningitis)
* AIDS wasting (weight loss) syndrome
* Depression and social/family isolation
* Neuropathies
* Pain
CAUSE:
* HIV can be found in many types of bodily secretions (i.e., semen, urine,
tears, saliva, blood, breast milk, spinal fluid, vaginal secretions).
However, the risk of transmission is highest through semen and sexual
activities.
* Anal sex -- highest transmission rate
* Heterosexual sex, homosexuals, bisexual males who engage in unprotected sex
* Intravenous drug abusers who share needles
* Oral Sex -- lower, but risk still present
* Blood and blood product transfusions between 1977-1985 (now rare, because
blood products are carefully screened)
* Contaminated needle stick as in healthcare professionals (1:300 risk)
* Children born to mothers with HIV infection
* Not spread through casual contact such as touching, hugging, or sharing toilet
seats
* Not transmitted by insect bites such as mosquitoes
* No documented cases of HIV infection from saliva or tears; however, if there
is an open sore on the skin or mouth, the risk increases.
HOW THE DIAGNOSIS IS MADE
* Examination:
* May be normal
* Signs & symptoms of AIDS-defining illnesses (see below)
* Laboratory Findings:
1. HIV antibody test -- the HIV virus multiplies in the body for weeks or
months before the body responds by making antibodies to it, at which time
the HIV test is considered positive. Decreased CD4 lymphocyte (also known
as T-helper cells) count (the lower the count the more likely to develop
infections and illness)
2. Symptoms begin to occur with CD4 count falling below 350/ml
3. Anemia
4. Polyclonal hypergammaglobulenimia
5. High cholesterol
6. Skin antigen testing fails to react to typical antigens
TREATMENT:
* The goal of treatment is to keep CD4 count above 200/ml, prevent/control
opportunistic infections, and improve the quality of life.
* Anti-retroviral drugs (Highly Active Anti Retroviral Therapy or HAART) --
these interfere with the HIV virus' ability to replicate. Some common ones
are listed below:
* Nucleoside analogs
1. Zidovudine (AZT)
2. Zalcitabine (ddC)
3. Lamivudine
4. Stavudine
* Protease inhibitors
1. Indinavir
2. Ritonavir
3. Nelfinavir
4. Saquinavir
* Triple therapy -- it has been found that combining two nucleoside analogue
drugs with one protease inhibitor can substantially reduce the viral burden,
infection rate, and death rate in HIV infection.
* Post-exposure prophylaxis (e.g., after a needle stick)
1. AZT probably beneficial
2. AZT plus other antiretroviral drugs probably will be shown to be more
effective.
PREVENTION:
* Before the more effective "triple therapy" was developed, various regimens
were recommended to prevent specific infections. For example, Trimethoprim-
Sulfamethoxazole for Pneumocystitis carinii included various regimens that
are now reserved for those who fail to respond or are intolerant of "triple
therapy."
1. Abstinence
2. Safe sex (use of condoms and oral barriers)
3. HIV testing prior to a relationship
4. Stop intravenous drug abuse, sharing of dirty needles, and other
high-risk behaviors.
5. Healthy lifestyle and join support groups if at risk
SIMILAR CONDITIONS:
* Tuberculosis
* Many cancers
* Hyperthyroidism
* Endocarditis
* Systemic lupus erythematosus
* Chronic meningitis
* Ulcerative colitis
* Crohn's disease
* Celiac sprue
* Malabsorption syndromes
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