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Acquired immune deficiency syndrome: Difference between revisions
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Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (view source)
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== Introduction == | == Introduction == | ||
AIDS was discovered just over thirty years ago. It has become one of the leading causes of death worldwide. As time went on, research, investment and commitment into understanding HIV increased, treatment methods evolved, and the outcome of people living with HIV improved around the world. In the early years of the epidemic, AIDS was unknown, misunderstood, feared, untreatable and often fatal. After many years, a virus named HIV was discovered and linked to AIDS. This was the turning point in AIDS history. HIV history then took a sharp turn with the development of highly-effective antiretroviral drugs which meant that, with access to treatment, people could lead healthy lives with HIV, like discussed above. | |||
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== Disease Itself == | == Disease Itself == | ||
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== Causes/How it Spreads == | == Causes/How it Spreads == | ||
[[File:AIDS World Map.png|left|thumb|150px| | [[File:AIDS World Map.png|left|thumb|150px|Number of people with HIV or AIDS in each country in 2008.]] | ||
A person transmits HIC through body fluids such as blood, semen, pre-seminal fluid, rectal fluids, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. If these body fluids come in contact with damaged tissue or is directly injected into a person's bloodstream, like a needle or syringe, transmission of the virus can possibly occur. If the fluids come in contact with a mucous membrane, transmission can also possible occur. Mucous membranes are soft, moist areas just inside the openings of one's body. They are found inside the rectum, the vagina or the opening of the penis, and the mouth.<ref name=AIDSgov2>[http://www.aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/hiv-aids-101/how-you-get-hiv-aids/ How Do You Get HIV or AIDS] ''AIDS.gov''. Web. 16 June 2014 (last updated).</ref> | A person transmits HIC through body fluids such as blood, semen, pre-seminal fluid, rectal fluids, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. If these body fluids come in contact with damaged tissue or is directly injected into a person's bloodstream, like a needle or syringe, transmission of the virus can possibly occur. If the fluids come in contact with a mucous membrane, transmission can also possible occur. Mucous membranes are soft, moist areas just inside the openings of one's body. They are found inside the rectum, the vagina or the opening of the penis, and the mouth.<ref name=AIDSgov2>[http://www.aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/hiv-aids-101/how-you-get-hiv-aids/ How Do You Get HIV or AIDS] ''AIDS.gov''. Web. 16 June 2014 (last updated).</ref> | ||
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[[File:AIDS Anatomy.png|left|thumb|150px|A diagram showing where the main symptoms of AIDS shows up in the body.]] | [[File:AIDS Anatomy.png|left|thumb|150px|A diagram showing where the main symptoms of AIDS shows up in the body.]] | ||
If a person has HIV or AIDS and they are not taking any medication like antiretroviral therapy, eventually the virus will weaken the body’s immune system. The symptoms signals the transition from the clinical latency stage to AIDS). During this late stage of HIV infection, people infected with HIV may have the following symptoms: rapid weight loss, recurring fever or profuse night sweats, extreme and unexplained tiredness, prolonged swelling of the lymph glands in the armpits, groin, or neck. There are more symptoms like diarrhea that lasts for more than a week and sores of the mouth, anus, or genitals. Pneumonia and red, brown, pink, or purplish blotches on or under the skin or inside the mouth, nose, or eyelids are also more symptoms. Finally, memory loss, depression, and other neurologic disorders are more signs.<ref name=webmd>[http://www.webmd.com/hiv-aids/ HIV & AIDS Health Center] ''Web MD''. Web. 26 October 2014 (Accessed).</ref> | |||
Many people have no symptoms when they are diagnosed with HIV. Acute HIV infection progresses over a few weeks to months to become an asymptomatic HIV infection which has no symptoms. This stage can last ten years or longer. During this period, the person can still spread the virus to others. Almost all people infected with HIV, if they are not treated, will develop AIDS. A small group of patients develop AIDS very slowly or never at all. These patients are called nonprogressors. Many seem to have genes that prevent the virus from significantly damaging their immune system. People with AIDS have had their immune system damaged by HIV. They are very susceptible to and can easily get infections that do not normally develop in people with a healthy immune system. These infections are called opportunistic infections. The common symptoms are: chills, fevers, rashes, sweats (particularly at night), swollen lymph glands, weakness, and weight loss.<ref name=webmd/> | |||
== Treatment == | == Treatment == | ||
No safe and effective cure for HIV currently exists, but scientists are working hard to find one, and remain hopeful. | |||
The only way to know for sure if someone has HIV or AIDS is to get tested. Testing is relatively simple. A person can get an HIV/AIDS test from a doctor or healthcare provider, community health center, Veteran’s health center, Title X family planning clinic, and many other locations. There are also FDA-approved HIV home test kits a person can use. One of the easiest ways to find an HIV testing location is to use the HIV Testing and Care Services Locator. Someone can just type in their ZIP code and will get a list of HIV testing sites near by including those that offer free HIV testing.<ref name=AIDSgov/> | |||
== Video == | == Video == | ||
