AIDS-AWARE

1. Introduction

AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome) is the scourage of the last two decades of the twentieth century. The WHO (World Health Organisation) has estimated that by 2000 AD, nearly 40 million of the entire world population would be affected by the HIV (Human Immuno Deficiency Virus) infection while the total number of full blown AIDS case would be 12 million. Over 10 million children are likely to be affected.

The AIDS virus destroys the body’s immune system against disease. Hence the person becomes susceptible to all kinds of diseases and slowly dies. It was first identified in 1981 in the United States. Doctors have yet to find a cure. The disease can be transmitted only through sexual relation and infected blood.

AIDS is specified clinical entity associated with infection by a virus, a retrovirus called HTLV-III (Human T-Lymphotoric Virus type III) or LAV (Lymphadenopathy – Associated Virus) depending upon the manner in which the virus was isolated by various research groups. The internal committee on taxonomy on viruses has collectively named it Human Immuno Deficiency Virus (HIV).

The AIDS virus primarily infects certain white blood cells, including macrophages and T helper cells, that play major roles in the functioning of the body’s immune system. The virus reproducing in these cells, eventually, disrupting patients become susceptible to certain illnesses that do not normally occur or that normally are not serious. These clinically unhealthy persons are called opportunistic because they take advantage of damage to the immune system.

2. Symptoms Causing HIV Virus in Body

The AIDS virus can be present in the body for more than 10 years without producing any outward sign of illness. At least half of the people infected with HIV virus eventually have developed symptoms associated with other, usually less serious conditions. With the HIV infections, however, these symptoms are prolonged and are often more severe. It is evident by a prodromal period of lymphadenopathy (Lymph Nodes Swelling), Diarrhoea, wasting and fever followed by an immuno deficiency syndrome characterized by opportunistic infections, Cytomegalo virus and Pneumocystis carinii, Kaposi’s Lymphoma (Cancer of Lymph Node). Generally it is fatal within two years of diagnosis. It is due to RNA virus known as Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus – Type III (HTLV-III), now called Human Immuno Deficiency Virus (HIV-I, HIV-II). Other HTLV Viruses, i.e., HTLV-I and II causes T-Cell Leukemia (Blood Cancer).

Another major symptom of HIV infected body is a severe wasting syndrome, resulting in substantial Weight loss and a general decline in health. In addition, the virus may infect the brain or central nervous system and produce thinking or memory disorder and coordination problems. All these symptoms are sometimes called AIDS-related complex (ARC)

3. AIDS Transmitting media
Scientists have identified the three media in which the AIDS virus is transmitted.

1. Intimate sexual contact

2. Exposure to infected blood and

3. Transmission from an infected pregnant woman to her foetus.

4. Treatment for AIDS

Many treatment for AIDS have been tried, but cures for the disease or AIDS virus infections have yet to be found. According to the latest. AIDS research the 1. TIAS injection 2. Gene Therapy and 3. Vaccines are in present day practice.

5. AIDS Preventive Measures

To prevent transmission of the AIDS virus, intimate sexual contact with anyone who is or might be infected with the virus should be avoided. The other preventive measure is to restrict sexual intimacy to one person. Medical and public health authorities have recommended that a condom be used every time there is sexual intercourse.