WHAT IS
AIDS?
AIDS is the most advanced stage of HIV
infection. Once HIV infection develops into AIDS, infections and cancer pose a
greater risk.
Without treatment, HIV infection is
likely to develop into AIDS as the immune system gradually wears down. However,
advances in ART mean than an ever-decreasing number of people progress to this
stage.
By the close of 2015, around 1,122,900 people were
HIV-positive. To compare, figures from 2016 show that medical professionals
diagnosed AIDS in an estimated 18,160 people.
Causes
People transmit HIV in bodily fluids,
including:
- blood
- semen
- vaginal secretions
- anal fluids
- breast milk
- anal or vaginal intercourse
with a person who has HIV while not using a condom or PrEP, a preventive
HIV medication for people at high risk of infection
- sharing equipment for
injectable illicit drugs, hormones, and steroids with a person who has HIV
A woman living with HIV who is pregnant
or has recently given birth might transfer the disease to her child during
pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.
The risk of HIV transmitting through
blood transfusions is extremely low in countries that have effective screening
procedures in place for blood donations.
Symptoms
For the most part, infections by other bacteria, viruses, fungi,
or parasites cause the more severe symptoms of HIV.
These conditions tend to progress further in people who live
with HIV than in individuals with healthy immune systems. A correctly
functioning immune system would protect the body against the more advanced
effects of infections, and HIV disrupts this process.
Early symptoms of HIV infection
Some people with HIV do not show
symptoms until months or even years after contracting the virus.
However, around 80 percent of people may develop a set of
flu-like symptoms known as acute retroviral syndrome around 2–6 weeks after the
virus enters the body.
The early symptoms of HIV infection may
include:
- fever
- chills
- joint pain
- muscle aches
- sore throat
- sweats. particularly at night
- enlarged glands
- a red rash
- tiredness
- weakness
- unintentional weight loss
- thrush
These symptoms might also result from
the immune system fighting off many types of viruses.
However, people who experience several
of these symptoms and know of any reason they might have been at risk of
contracting HIV over the last 6 weeks should take a test.
Asymptomatic HIV
In many cases, after the symptoms of acute retroviral syndrome,
symptoms might not occur for many years.
During this time, the virus continues to develop and cause
immune system and organ damage. Without medication that prevents the
replication of the virus, this slow process can continue for an average of
around 10 years.
A person living with HIV often experiences no symptoms, feels
well, and appears healthy.
Complying rigidly to a course of ART can disrupt this phase and
suppress the virus completely. Taking effective antiretroviral medications for
life can halt on-going damage to the immune system.
Late-stage HIV infection
Without medication, HIV weakens the ability to fight infection.
The person becomes vulnerable to serious illnesses. This stage is known as AIDS
or stage 3 HIV.
Symptoms of late-stage HIV infection may include:
- blurred
vision
- diarrhea, which is
usually persistent or chronic
- dry cough
- a fever of
over 100 °F (37 °C) lasting for weeks
- night sweats
- permanent
tiredness
- shortness of
breath, or dyspnea
- swollen
glands lasting for weeks
- unintentional
weight loss
- white spots
on the tongue or mouth
During late-stage HIV infection, the risk of developing a
life-threatening illness increases greatly. A person with late-stage HIV can
control, prevent and treat serious conditions by taking other medications
alongside HIV treatment.
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