Aids is Death Virus

 

This article is about the disease. For the virus, see HIV. For other uses see AIDS disambiguation. Human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome HIV/AIDS is a spectrum of conditions caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus HIV. Following initial infection a person may not notice any symptoms or may experience a brief period of influenza like illness typically this is followed by a prolonged period with no symptoms. As the infection progresses it interferes more with the immune system increasing the risk of common infections like tuberculosis as well as other opportunistic infections and tumors that rarely affect people who have working immune systems. These late symptoms of infection are referred to as AIDS. This stage is often also associated with weight loss. In 2015 about 36.7 million people were living with HIV and it resulted in 1.1 million deaths. HIV/AIDS is considered a pandemic a disease outbreak which is present over a large area and is actively spreading. HIV is believed to have originated in west central Africa during the late 19th or early 20th century. HIV/AIDS has had a great impact on society both as an illness and as a source of discrimination.  The disease also has large economic impacts. There are many misconceptions about HIV/AIDS such as the belief that it can be transmitted by casual non-sexual contact. The disease has become subject to many controversies involving religion including the Catholic Church's decision not to support condom use as prevention. It has attracted international medical and political attention as well as large. The initial period following the contraction of HIV is called acute HIV primary HIV or acute retroviral syndrome. Many individuals develop an influenza-like illness or mononucleosis like illness 2 4 weeks post exposure while others have no significant symptoms. Symptoms occur in 40, 90% of cases and most commonly include fever large tender lymph nodes throat inflammation a rash headache and/or sores of the mouth and genitals. The rash, which occurs in 20–50% of cases presents itself on the trunk and is maculopapular classically. The initial symptoms are followed by a stage called clinical latency, asymptomatic HIV or chronic HIV. Without treatment this second stage of the natural history of HIV infection can last from about three years to over 20 years on average about eight years. While typically there are few or no symptoms at first near the end of this stage many people experience fever weight loss gastrointestinal problems and muscle pains. Between 50 and 70% of people also develop persistent generalized lymphadenopathy characterized by unexplained, non-painful enlargement of more than one group of lymph nodes other than in the groin for over three to six months Although most HIV-1 infected individuals have a detectable viral load and in the absence of treatment will eventually progress to AIDS, a small proportion about 5% retain high levels of CD4⁺ T cells T helper cells without antiviral therapy for more than 5 years. The second most common cancer is lymphoma, which is the cause of death of nearly 16% of people with AIDS and is the initial sign of AIDS in 3 to 4%. Both these cancers are associated with human herpes virus 8. Cervical cancer occurs more frequently in those with AIDS because of its association with human papilla virus HPV. After the virus enters the body there is a period of rapid viral replication leading to an abundance of virus in the peripheral blood. During primary infection the level of HIV may reach several million virus particles per milliliter of blood. Antibody tests in children younger than 18 months are typically inaccurate due to the continued presence of maternal antibodies. Thus HIV infection can only be diagnosed by PCR testing for HIV RNA or DNA or via testing for the p24 antigen. Much of the world lacks access to reliable PCR testing and many places simply wait until either symptoms develop or the child is old enough for accurate antibody testing. In sub Saharan Africa as of 2007–2009 between 30 and 70% of the population were aware of their HIV status.  In 2009 between 3.6 and 42% of men and women in Sub Saharan countries were tested which represented a significant increase compared to previous years. Benefits of treatment include a decreased risk of progression to AIDS and a decreased risk of death. In the developing world treatment also improves physical and mental health. With treatment there is a 70% reduced risk of acquiring tuberculosis. Additional benefits include a decreased risk of transmission of the disease to sexual partners and a decrease in mother-to-child transmission. The effectiveness of treatment depends to a large part on compliance. Reasons for non-adherence include poor access to medical care inadequate social supports, mental illness and drug abuse. The complexity of treatment regimens due to pill numbers and dosing frequency and adverse effects may reduce adherence. Even though cost is an important issue with some medications 47% of those who needed them were taking them in low and middle income countries as of 2010 and the rate of adherence is similar in low income and high-income countries. Treatment recommendations for children are somewhat different from those for adults. The World Health Organization recommends treating all children less than 5 years of age children above 5 are treated like adults. The United States guidelines recommend treating all children less than 12 months of age and all those with HIV RNA counts greater than 100,000 copies/mL between one year and five years of age. Measures to prevent opportunistic infections are effective in many people with HIV/AIDS. In addition to improving current disease treatment with antiviral reduces the risk of developing additional opportunistic infections. Adults and adolescents who are living with HIV even on anti-retro viral therapy with no evidence of active tuberculosis in settings with high tuberculosis burden should receive ionized preventive therapy IPT the tuberculin skin test can be used to help decide if IPT is needed. Vaccination against hepatitis A and B is advised for all people at risk of HIV before they become infected however it may also be given after infection. Trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole  prophylaxis between four and six weeks of age and ceasing breastfeeding in infants born to HIV positive mothers is recommended in resource limited settings. It is also recommended to prevent PCP when a person's CD4 count is below 200 cells/uL and in those who have or have previously had PCP. People with substantial immune suppression are also advised to receive prophylactic therapy for toxoplasmosis and Cryptococcus meningitis. Appropriate preventive measures have reduced the rate of these infections by 50% between 1992 and 1997. The World Health Organization WHO has issued recommendations regarding nutrient requirements in HIV/AIDS. A generally healthy diet is promoted. Some evidence has shown a benefit from micro nutrient supplements. Evidence for supplementation with selenium is mixed with some tentative evidence of benefit. There is some evidence that vitamin a supplementation in children reduces mortality and improves growth.  In Africa in nutritionally compromised pregnant and lactating women a multivitamin supplementation has improved outcomes for both mothers and children. Dietary intake of micro nutrients at RDA levels by HIV-infected adults is recommended by the WHO higher intake of vitamin A zinc and iron can produce adverse effects in HIV positive adults and is not recommended unless there is documented deficiency.