Today is our topic of discussion Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome
Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome
Definition:
AIDS (acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome) is a fatal illness, caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) which results in severe damage to the immune system.
Distribution:
Since the first detection of HIV in Bangladesh in 1989, the rate of infection has not increased in comparison to the neighboring countries. Bangladesh is still fortunate to be a low prevalent country (<0.01% in adult population) in the region. The estimated total number of people living with HIV/AIDS is around 7,500 as of December 2006.
Pathology:
The virus attacks the immune system and leaves the body vulnerable to a variety of life- threatening infections and cancers. If the HIV infection is not detected and treated, the immune system gradually weakens and AIDS develops.
Epidemiological feature:
Agent factors:
Agent:
A type of retrovirus called ‘Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
Reservoir of infection:
These are cases and carriers. Once a person is infected, it remains life-long in the body.
Source of infection:
Saliva, tears, nervous tissue and spinal fluid, blood, semen including pre- seminal fluid, vaginal fluid and breast milk. However, only blood, semen, vaginal secretions and breast milk generally transmits infection to others.
Host factors:
Age:
Sexually active individuals, mostly of 20-49 years.
Sex:
Homosexual, bisexual and heterosexual. Certain sex practices are at risk – multiple sex partners, anal ntercourse and male homosexuality. Females are more vulnerable than male due nothoda to anatomical structure.
High risk groups:
Male homosexuals and bisexuals, heterosexual partners (including prostitutes), intravenous drug abusers, transfusion recipients of blood and blood products, haemophiliacs and clients of STD.
Mode of transmission:
1. Unprotected sexual intercourse: Vaginal, anal or oral.
2. Mother-to-child transmission:
a. During pregnancy
b. During delivery
c. After birth: Through breast feeding
3. Transfusion of infected blood and blood products
4. Sharing of needle-syringe (IDU).
5. Others: Donation of infected semen (IVF), organ transplantation and vigorous kissing (rarely).
AIDS/HIV infection not transmitted by
1. Casual contact such as hugging
2. Mosquitoes all huet en
3. Participation in sports
4. Touching items previously touched by a person infected with the virus.
Incubation period:
Few months to 10 years or even more
[During asymptomatic stage, people can transmit the infection]
Symptoms:
1. Acute HIV infection progresses over time (usually a few weeks to months) to –
a. Asymptomatic HIV infection (no symptoms) and
b. Then to early symptomatic HIV infection.
c. Later, it progresses to AIDS.
2. Common symptoms are:
a. Chills & fever
b. Sweats (particularly at night)
c. Swollen lymph glands
d. Weakness
e. Weight loss
3. The symptoms of AIDS that do not normally develop in individuals with healthy immune systems. Thse are –
Herpes simplex virus –
Causes ulcers/small blisters in the mouth or genitals, usually much more severely in an HIV-infected person.
Tuberculosis –
Mostly affect the lungs, but can affect other organs such as the bowel, lining of the heart, lungs or central nervous system etc.
Oral or vaginal thrush –
Fungal infection of the mouth or vagina.
Varicella zoster (shingles) –
ulcers/small blisters over a patch of skin, caused by reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (chickenpox virus).
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma –
cancer of the lymph nodes.
Kaposi’s sarcoma –
cancer of the skin
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