HIV means-Human Immunodeficiency Virus. AIDS- means- Acquired Immunodeficiency syndrome. HIV is a virus and AIDS is a disease. Once the HIV virus enters into the human body, after 2-3 weeks, it causes ‘’ Acute Retroviral Syndrome’’. Symptoms and Signs of AIDS: Fever Pain in the muscles (Myalgia) Pain in the throat Swelling of the lymph glands Rashes on the skin Diarrhea and headache Vomiting The above symptoms subside within 2-3 weeks and antibodies are produced. After again 2-4 weeks of time, the patient becomes positive for HIV tests. Once the patient is positive for HIV, there after the patient will be free from any symptoms for 8 years (on average), then he or she develops HIV infection or AIDS. After the development of AIDS, patient may live for 1-3 years only. This is the normal history of the disease if the patient did not take any treatment for this infection. After the virus enters the body, the CD4 count increases and the viral count increases. CD4 count and related diseases: Normal count is 700-12000. 1. When CD4 count is 500 or slightly more: Disease that are present are, 1. Acute retroviral syndrome 2. Candidial vaginitis 3. Enlargement of lymph nodes. 2. CD4 count is 200-500: 1. Pneumonia 2. T.B 3. Herpes zoster 4. Candidiasis in the mouth 5. Kaposi sarcoma. 3. When CD4 count is 200 or less: 1. Pneumocystis carini pneumonia 2. Tuberculosis 3. Other opportunistic diseases develop in the body and also neurological changes takes place and patient loses mental balance. 4. CD4 count 100 or less: diseases present are 1. Herpes Simplex in severe stage 2. Candidial Oesophagitis. HIV is of two types- HIV1 (more common) and HIV2 (less common). Tests to diagnose HIV: 1. First of all test (screening) be done with Enzyme Immune Assays (serological Assay). If it becomes positive, then confirm this with Western blot test. This is the standard procedure. It is better to do any positive tests, two times, to confirm the diagnosis. Window period: First 3-6 months, usually, the routine tests show negative … [Read more...]
HIV, AIDS and Depression
November 26, 2008 by Leave a Comment
Human immune deficiency virus (HIV) is first present itself in the blood. It does not mean the patient is suffering from AIDS. HIV sero-conversion takes 8-10 years to become AIDS. How HIV/AIDS Spreads: Due to sex: 42.2% Due to Blood transfusion: 15.96% Drug addiction: 13.5% For HIV to become AIDS, the time taken is 6-8 years. Now, the highly active Anti retro viral treatment (HAART) is giving some solace to the patients. Most of the HIV patients suffer from depression and social alienation. This makes the patient to commit suicide. So, counseling has major role in the treatment of AIDS along with medicine. … [Read more...]
