Definition AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS is a serious condition that weakens the body's immune system, leaving it unable to fight off illness. AIDS is the last stage in a progression of diseases resulting from a viral infection known as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV or AIDS virus). The diseases include a number of unusual and severe infections, cancers and debilitating illnesses, resulting in severe weight loss or wasting away, and diseases affecting the brain and central nervous system. Presently, there is no cure for HIV infection or AIDS, nor is there a vaccine to prevent HIV infection. However, there are new medications which help slow the progression of the infection and reduce the seriousness of HIV consequences in many people. Description The immune system is a network of cells, organs and proteins that work together to defend and protect the body from potentially harmful, infectious microorganisms (microscopic life-forms), such as bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi. When the immune system is missing one or more of its components, the result is an immunodeficiency disorder. AIDS is an immunodeficiency disorder. Lymphocytes (white blood cells) are one of the main types of immune cells that make up the immune system. There are two types of lymphocytes: B cells and T cells. (T cells are also called CD4 cells, CD4 T cells, or CD4 cell lympocytes). B cells secrete antibodies (protein) into the body's fluids to ambush and attack antigens (foreign protein). T cells attack and destroy infected or malignant cells in the body. There are two types of T cells: helper T cells and killer T cells. Helper T cells recognize the antigen and activate the killer T cells. Killer T cells then destroy the antigen. When HIV is introduced into the body, this virus is too strong for the helper T cells and killer T cells. The virus then invades the cells and starts to reproduce itself, thereby free to infect otherwise healthy cells. The HIV virus cannot be destroyed and lives in the body undetected for months or years before any sign of illness appears. With the T cells inactivated, other viruses, parasites or cancer cells (called "opportunistic diseases") which would not have been able to get past a healthy body's defense, can multiply within the body without fear of destruction. Commonly seen opportunistic diseases in persons with HIV infection include: pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, tuberculosis, cytomegalovirus retinitis and Kaposi's sarcoma. Causes AIDS is transmitted via three main routes:

The most common mode of transmission is the transfer of sexual secretions through sexual contact. This is accomplished through exposure of mucous membranes of the rectum, vagina, mouth to blood, semen or vaginal secretions containing HIV.
Blood or blood products can transmit the virus, most often through the sharing of contaminated syringes and needles.
HIV can be spread during pregnancy from mother to fetus.

You cannot get AIDS/HIV from touching someone or sharing items, such as cups or pencils, or through coughing and sneezing. Additionally, HIV is not spread through routine contact in restaurants, the workplace or school. Symptoms Some people infected with HIV are asymptomatic (no symptoms) while others may develop symptoms of HIV from two to 15 years after initial infection. The symptoms are as follows:

extreme fatigue
rapid weight loss from an unknown cause (more than 10 lbs. in two months for no reason)
appearance of swollen or tender glands in the neck, armpits or groin, for no apparent reason, lasting for more than four weeks
unexplained shortness of breath, frequently accompanied by a dry cough, not due to allergies or smoking
persistent diarrhea
intermittent high fever or soaking night sweats of unknown origin
a marked change in an illness pattern, either in frequency, severity, or length of sickness
appearance of one or more purple spots on the surface of the skin, inside the mouth, anus or nasal passages
whitish coating on the tongue, throat or vagina
forgetfulness, confusion and other signs of mental deterioration

It can take as short as a year to as long as 10 to 15 years to go from being infected with HIV to "full-blown" AIDS. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, a person is considered to have AIDS when they have a T cell count (also called CD4 cell count) of 200 or less (healthy T cell levels range from 500 to 1500) or they have an AIDS-defining condition. The AIDS-defining conditions are: Â· Candidiasis Â· Cervical cancer (invasive) Â· Coccidioidomycosis, Cryptococcosis, Cryptosporidiosis Â· Cytomegalovirus disease Â· Encephalopathy (HIV-related) Â· Herpes simplex (severe infection) Â· Histoplasmosis Â· Isosporiasis Â· Kaposi's sarcoma Â· Lymphoma (certain types) Â· Mycobacterium avium complex Â· Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia Â· Pneumonia (recurrent) Â· Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy Â· Salmonella septicemia (recurrent) Â· Toxoplasmosis of the brain Â· Tuberculosis Â· Wasting syndrome People who are not infected with HIV may also develop these diseases; this does not mean they have AIDS. To be diagnosed with AIDS, a person must be infected with HIV. Some people infected with HIV may develop a disease that is less serious than AIDS, referred to as AIDS Related Complex (ARC). ARC is a condition caused by the AIDS virus in which the patient tests positive for AIDS infection and has a specific set of clinical symptoms. However, ARC patients' symptoms are often less severe than those with classic AIDS. Signs and symptoms of ARC may include loss of appetite, weight loss, fever, night sweats, skin rashes, diarrhea, tiredness, lack of resistance to infection or swollen lymph nodes. Note: Not everyone who has been infected with HIV develops AIDS. However, these people may develop some of the symptoms related to AIDS. DiagnosisScreening for HIV infection is most commonly done by testing blood for HIV antibodies. A newer test, the Orasure test, involves collecting secretions between the cheek and gum and evaluating them for HIV antibodies. Orasure is essentially as accurate as a blood test, and, ecause it doesn't involve a needle stick, it is favored by many individuals. Orasure is available through physicians offices and many public health clinics. Finally, there is a new urine test available for screening, although if the test is positive, blood tests need to be performed for confirmation of the presence of HIV. In 1996, a home HIV blood test (called Home Access) became available to the public. These home kits are available in pharmacies and by mail. The kit contains a few sharp tools called lancets, a piece of blotting paper marked with a unique identification number and a prepaid return envelope with a protective pouch. After pricking the finger with the lancet, a few drops of blood are blotted onto the paper, sealed into the envelope and sent to the address on the envelope. In about a week, the person calls a toll-free number to get the results of the test. Treatment Anti-HIV (also called antiretroviral) medications are used to control the reproduction of the virus and to slow the progression of HIV-related disease. Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) is the recommended treatment for HIV infection. HAART combines three or more anti-HIV medications in a daily regimen, sometimes referred to as a â€œcocktailâ€. Anti-HIV medications do not cure HIV infection and individuals taking these medications can still transmit HIV to others. Anti-HIV medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) fall into four classes: 1. Nonnucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs), such as Efavirenz (Sustiva), bind to and block the action of reverse transcriptase, a protein that HIV needs to reproduce. 2. Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs), such as zidovudine (Retrovir), tenofovir DF (Viread), and stavudine (Zerit), are faulty versions of building blocks that HIV needs to make more copies of itself. When HIV uses an NRTI instead of a normal building block, reproduction of the virus is stalled. 3. Protease Inhibitors (PIs), such as lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra), disable protease, a protein that HIV needs reproduce itself. 4. Fusion Inhibitors, such as enfuvirtide (Fuzeon ), are newer treatments that work by blocking HIV entry into cells. (View more complete list of HIV drugs). How many pills you will need to take and how often you will take them depends on what medications you and your doctor choose. There is no one â€œbestâ€ regimen. You and your doctor will decide which medications are right for you. For people taking HAART for the first time, the recommended regimens are: â€¢ Sustiva + Epivir + (Retrovir or Viread or Zerit) â€¢ Kaletra + Epivir + (Retrovir or Zerit) In general, taking only one or two drugs is not recommended because any decrease in viral load is almost always temporary without three or more drugs. The exception is the recommendation for pregnant women, who may take Retrovir alone or with other drugs to reduce the risk of passing HIV to their infants. If you are pregnant or considering becoming pregnant, there are additional treatment considerations. The treatment of HIV infection and AIDS is in a highly dynamic state. Individuals with this condition are advised to seek out experts in their local community who are current with the latest modes of therapy and ongoing clinical trials for evaluating newer therapies. The following is a partial list of drugs approved for the treatment of HIVinfection. Nonnucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs) Delavirdine (Rescriptor, DLV) Pfizer Efavirenz (Sustiva, EFV) Bristol-Myers Squibb Nevirapine (Viramune, NVP) Boehringer Ingelheim Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs) Abacavir (Ziagen, ABC) GlaxoSmithKline Abacavir,Lamivudine, Zidovudine (Trizivir) GlaxoSmithKline Didanosine (Videx, ddI, Videx EC) Bristol-Myers Squibb Emtricitabine (Emtriva, FTC, Coviracil) Gilead Sciences Lamivudine (Epivir, 3TC) GlaxoSmithKline Lamivudine, Zidovudine (Combivir) GlaxoSmithKline Stavudine ( Zerit, d4T) Bristol-Myers Squibb Tenofovir DF (Viread, TDF) Gilead Sciences Zalcitabine (Hivid, ddC) Hoffmann-La Roche Zidovudine (Retrovir, AZT, ZDV) GlaxoSmithKline Protease Inhibitors (PIs) Amprenavir (Agenerase, APV) GlaxoSmithKline, Vertex Pharmaceuticals Atazanavir (Reyataz, ATV) Bristol-Myers Squibb Fosamprenavir (Lexiva, FPV) GlaxoSmithKline, Vertex Pharmaceuticals Indinavir (Crixivan, IDV) Merck Lopinavir, Ritonavir (Kaletra, LPV/r) Abbott Laboratories Nelfinavir (Viracept, NFV) Agouron Pharmaceuticals Ritonavir (Norvir, RTV) Abbott Laboratories Saquinavir (Fortovase, SQV) Invirase Hoffmann-La Roche Fusion Inhibitors Enfuvirtide (Fuzeon, T-20) Hoffmann-La Roche, Trimeris Prevention The only way to protect from contracting AIDS sexually is to abstain from sex outside of a mutually faithful relationship with a partner whom the person knows is not infected with the AIDS virus. Otherwise, risks can be minimized if they:

Don't have sexual contact with anyone who has symptoms of AIDS or who is a member of a high risk group for AIDS.
Avoid sexual contact with anyone who has had sex with people at risk of getting AIDS.
Don't have sex with prostitutes.
Avoid having sex with anyone who has multiple and/or anonymous sexual partners.
Avoid oral, genital and anal contact with partner's blood, semen, vaginal secretions, feces or urine. Unless they know with absolute certainty that their partner is not infected, a latex condom should be used during each sexual act, from start to finish. The use of a spermicidal agent may provide additional protection.
Avoid anal intercourse altogether.
Don't share toothbrushes, razors or other implements that could become contaminated with the blood of anyone who is or might be infected with the AIDS virus.
Exercise caution regarding procedures, such as acupuncture, tattooing, ear piercing, etc., in which needles or other nonsterile instruments may be used repeatedly to pierce the skin and/or mucous membranes. Such procedures are safe if proper sterilization methods are employed or disposable needles are used. Ask what precautions are taken before undergoing such procedures.
If an individual is scheduling surgery in the near future, and is able, they could consider donating blood for their own use. This will eliminate completely the already small risk of contracting AIDS through a blood transfusion. It will also eliminate the more substantial risk of contracting other bloodborne diseases (such as hepatitis) from a transfusion.

If a person is an IV drug user, adhere to the prevention tips mentioned earlier, as well as:

Get professional help for terminating the drug habit.
Do not share needles or syringes. Be aware that some street sellers are resealing previously used needles and selling them as new.
Clean the needle before using.

Some people apparently remain well after infection of the AIDS virus. They may have no physically apparent symptoms of illness. However, if proper precautions are not used with sexual contacts and/or intravenous drug use, these infected individuals can spread the virus to others. Anyone who thinks he or she is infected, or who is involved in high-risk behaviors, should not donate his/her blood, organs, tissues, or sperm as they may now contain the AIDS virus. Questions What tests need to be done to diagnose this condition? How accurate is the test? Does a positive test mean AIDS? What type of treatment will you be recommending? How successful is it? Will you be prescribing any medications to prevent the development of some AIDS related infections? Are there any alternative treatments avaliable? Are there experimental protocols in which I might participate? What are the chances of remaining well? For how long? Are there any support groups in the area? The following is a partial list of drugs approved for the treatment of HIV infection. Nonnucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs)
Delavirdine (Rescriptor, DLV) Pfizer
Efavirenz (Sustiva, EFV) Bristol-Myers Squibb
Nevirapine (Viramune, NVP) Boehringer Ingelheim
Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs)
Abacavir (Ziagen, ABC) GlaxoSmithKline
Abacavir,Lamivudine, Zidovudine (Trizivir) GlaxoSmithKline
Didanosine (Videx, ddI, Videx EC) Bristol-Myers Squibb
Emtricitabine (Emtriva, FTC, Coviracil) Gilead Sciences
Lamivudine (Epivir, 3TC) GlaxoSmithKline
Lamivudine, Zidovudine (Combivir) GlaxoSmithKline
Stavudine ( Zerit, d4T) Bristol-Myers Squibb
Tenofovir DF (Viread, TDF) Gilead Sciences
Zalcitabine (Hivid, ddC) Hoffmann-La Roche
Zidovudine (Retrovir, AZT, ZDV) GlaxoSmithKline Protease Inhibitors (PIs)
Amprenavir (Agenerase, APV) GlaxoSmithKline, Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Atazanavir (Reyataz, ATV) Bristol-Myers Squibb
Fosamprenavir (Lexiva, FPV) GlaxoSmithKline, Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Indinavir (Crixivan, IDV) Merck
Lopinavir, Ritonavir (Kaletra, LPV/r) Abbott Laboratories
Nelfinavir (Viracept, NFV) Agouron Pharmaceuticals
Ritonavir (Norvir, RTV) Abbott Laboratories
Saquinavir (Fortovase, SQV) Invirase Hoffmann-La Roche Fusion Inhibitors
Enfuvirtide (Fuzeon, T-20) Hoffmann-La Roche, Trimeris

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