Symptoms of HIV infection. AIDS: symptoms, treatment and prevention

What is AIDS, every adult knows today, and any mention of this disease causes intuitive fear, since an effective cure for AIDS, the “plague” of the 20th (and now the 21st) century, has not been found, and the likelihood of contracting a virus human immunodeficiency still exists and is quite high.

The history of AIDS begins in 1982, when this diagnosis was first made, but the causes of the disease have not been established. The disease began to spread rapidly to all countries of the world, gradually capturing the most remote regions of the planet.

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Medical statistics cannot provide accurate data on the number of sick people, since many of them are latent carriers of AIDS infection. However, it is known for certain that the number of those who were officially diagnosed by 2015 exceeds 65 million. To minimize the risk of contracting a dangerous disease, you need to get objective information about what this disease is.

HIV and AIDS

HIV is a human immunodeficiency virus (family of retroviruses) which is the causative agent of infection.

AIDS- This is the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, the last stage of HIV infection, when human organics are unable to resist diseases caused by viruses and bacteria.

A person with AIDS can die from any infection that does not pose a threat to healthy people. The virus infects the cells responsible for immunity, which makes the body completely defenseless against diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms.

Main routes of HIV infection:

sexual contact;
entry of the virus into the blood;
lactation;
intrauterine infection.

In the lists of risk groups, the first line is occupied by drug addicts, homosexuals, people with antisocial behavior. But among the infected, unfortunately, there are many people who became infected within the walls of a medical institution. This is because the analysis of the donor's blood does not always reveal the virus - there is a so-called "blind" period during which the pathogenic process is not detected.

Sexual transmission is the most common, with transmission from male to female occurring 20 times more frequently than from female to male. This is due to the fact that the highest concentration of HIV pathogens is found in semen. The risk of infection increases with the presence of concomitant infectious diseases in partners, as well as with damage to the mucous membrane.

With homosexual contacts, the risk of infection is maximum, since in 90% of cases, sexual intercourse is accompanied by trauma to the small mucous membrane of the rectum, and the virus instantly enters the bloodstream.

An HIV-infected mother can give birth to a healthy child (the risk of infection is 12.9%), but breastfeeding increases the likelihood of transmitting the infection many times over. Therefore, babies who have not been diagnosed with HIV are transferred to mixtures from the first days.

Many are interested in the question of whether it is possible to get AIDS through kisses, handshakes, hugs, dishes and underwear. Doctors say that in this case there is no risk at all. In addition, the risk of infection is extremely small even after a needle prick of a syringe, on which drops of the blood of an infected person remain. The fact is that the virus quickly loses its viability in the air, and therefore is not dangerous to others.

Drug addicts, however, become infected through needles, since the process of dangerous contact is carried out in a continuous mode - a syringe with the remains of fresh blood is repeatedly passed from hand to hand, and infection in such cases cannot be avoided.

The first symptoms of AIDS in women and men

As a rule, 3-6 weeks after the moment of infection, 60% of patients develop manifestations of AIDS, which people often associate with overwork, or SARS. In 40%, there are no symptoms of infection at all, and after the incubation period, the stage of AIDS occurs without any symptoms.

The disease phase without any symptoms can last 10-15 years. The length of this period depends on how fast the virus multiplies. A progressive decrease in CD 4 lymphocytes, detected during laboratory tests, as well as swelling of all lymph nodes, indirectly indicate AIDS.

In infected patients, whose condition is accompanied by malaise, it is clearly possible to distinguish some common features:

feverish state;
a slight increase in temperature (within 37.5 degrees);
swollen lymph nodes (under the armpits, in the groin, in the neck, under the collarbones);
aches in the joints;
a sore throat;
diarrhea;
changes in the skin (rash, or pale spots);
photophobia, headache.

The rapid development of HIV infection is observed in 10% of patients. In the rest of the patients, after three weeks, the condition improves, and the disease passes into a latent stage.

The first signs of HIV in women

Two weeks after infection, severe sweating, chills, dry cough may appear. Weakness is noticeably expressed, apathy increases, lymph nodes under the arms increase. With damage to the nervous system, stiff neck, pain in the eye area, vomiting, and diarrhea are observed. These signs do not indicate HIV infection in every case, since they are observed in many other diseases.

However, the symptoms should alert if there was unprotected sexual contact with a new partner, if there was a fact of violence, or if a blood transfusion procedure was performed.

The first signs of HIV in men

In men, the fever may be even more pronounced than in women. In this case, there may be indigestion, frequent urination, skin rashes, an increase in inguinal and cervical lymph nodes.

Many patients experience weight loss without a change in appetite. Diarrhea is not relieved by conventional medications and lasts for several weeks.

Diagnosis of the disease

The only way to diagnose HIV today is blood test for antibodies. Since there is no full-fledged treatment for AIDS, early diagnosis of the disease will allow maintaining a full life for many years, slowing down the course of the disease as much as possible, and giving hope that an effective drug will be introduced into medical practice.

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An HIV test should be performed immediately after an event that carries the risk of contracting HIV infections. Antibodies are formed in the blood in response to the introduction of the virus. However, the formation of these antibodies is carried out within three to six months after the moment of the alleged infection.

Final laboratory tests should be carried out 7 months after the moment of possible infection. This is a standard ELISA (enzymatic immunoassay) and ELISA analysis.

If questionable results are obtained, the blood test is taken again, if the answer is negative, it is recommended, however, to repeat the study after three months.

still exists the problem of false positives. To exclude errors in the diagnosis, a specific analysis is carried out, which is called immunoblotting (it is carried out twice with an interval between taking biological material of 3 months).

Prevention of AIDS and HIV

AIDS prevention comes down to simple actions. First of all, it is a safe sex life, the presence of one sexual partner. If you have sexual intercourse with different partners, you must use a condom - a tool that is still considered the most effective protection against infection.

It is difficult to give advice to patients who are admitted to the hospital with injuries, injuries, or diseases that require blood transfusions. However, cases of HIV infection in hospitals are extremely rare today - all blood products undergo a thorough luorator check.

AIDS is a tragedy in a person's life, and not only because the patient knows about its fatal nature. People with such a diagnosis are not accepted in society, and they try to protect their relatives and children from communicating with HIV-infected people who do not pose any threat to others.
It is difficult to convince people of the opposite, and one has to come to terms with this fact. Therefore, it is necessary to take all possible measures so as not to become a victim of an insidious disease, and in this direction there is only one way - building a normal family based on love and respect.
When contacting new partners, you should remember that only a condom can protect you from possible infection (this applies to men and women). At the slightest suspicion of infection, you should immediately contact an anonymous office (there is one in every city) to take tests and conduct research.

It may sound trite, but the keys to health are always in our hands. The happiness of living with a loved one and raising children cannot be compared with a momentary temptation, succumbing to which, you can cross out the road to happiness forever.

HIV is a virus that deprives the human body of protection by destroying the immune system. It became known about this disease in the 80s of the 20th century, when scientists found that in an adult infected with HIV, immunity became weak, like in a newborn.

The disease was called AIDS - immune deficiency syndrome. The human immunodeficiency virus was officially announced in 1983. Now the disease is so widespread that it has become an epidemic. It is estimated that 50 million people in the world are now carriers of the virus.

Story

In the summer of 1981, the US Centers for Disease Control published a report describing 5 cases of pneumocystis pneumonia and 26 cases of Kaposi's sarcoma in previously healthy homosexual men from Los Angeles and New York.

Over the next few months, cases were reported among injecting drug users, and shortly thereafter in people who had undergone blood transfusions.

In 1982, the diagnosis of AIDS was formulated, but the causes of its occurrence were not established.
In 1983, HIV was isolated for the first time from a cell culture of a sick person.
In 1984, HIV was found to be the cause of AIDS.
In 1985, a method for diagnosing HIV infection was developed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), which detects antibodies to HIV in the blood.
In 1987, the first case of HIV infection was registered in Russia - it was a homosexual man who worked as an interpreter in African countries.

Where did HIV come from?

In search of an answer to this question, many different theories have been proposed. Nobody can answer it exactly.

However, it is known that during the first studies of the epidemiology of HIV infection, it was found that the maximum prevalence of HIV occurs in the region of Central Africa. In addition, the great apes (chimpanzees) living in this area have been isolated from the blood of a virus that can cause AIDS in humans, which may indicate the possibility of infection from these monkeys - possibly by biting or butchering carcasses.

There is an assumption that HIV existed for a long time among the tribal settlements of Central Africa, and only in the twentieth century, as a result of increased population migration, spread throughout the world.

HIV and AIDS - what's the difference?

Fundamental differences between AIDS and HIV infection:

HIV infection

a slowly manifesting viral infection that has a long-term course. All currently known methods of treating HIV infection do not lead to a complete cure. The disease affects the immune system, which protects the human body from the negative effects of the external environment. The virus, having entered the body from a carrier of the disease, may not manifest itself in any way for a long time, but for several years it destroys the immune system.

AIDS

a state of immunity in which the body is practically defenseless against the harmful effects of the environment, the development of oncological processes. Any infection that is harmless to a healthy person, in an AIDS patient, develops into a serious illness with complications and subsequent death from complications, inflammation of the brain, and a malignant tumor.

Statistics

Statistical data on the number of HIV-infected people:

Worldwide, as of December 1, 2016, the number of infected people was 36.7 million;
In Russia, as of December 2016, there were about 800,000 people, with 90,000 identified in 2015. In the same year, more than 25,000 people died of AIDS in Russia, and over 200,000 over the entire observation period since 1987.

For the CIS countries (data for 2015):

Ukraine - about 410 thousand,
Kazakhstan - about 20 thousand,
Belarus - more than 30 thousand,
Armenia - 4000,
Tajikistan - 16400,
Azerbaijan - 4171,
Moldova - 17800,
Georgia - 6600,
Kyrgyzstan - about 10 thousand,
Uzbekistan - about 33 thousand.
Turkmenistan - official authorities claim that there are isolated cases of HIV infection in the country,

Since the statistics record only officially detected cases, the real picture is much worse. A huge number of people do not even suspect that they are HIV-infected, and continue to infect others.

Symptoms and stages

The manifestation of symptoms of HIV infection in a man or woman depends on the stage of development of HIV:

incubation period;
Primary manifestations are acute infection, asymptomatic and generalized lymphadenopathy;
Secondary manifestations - lesions of internal organs of a persistent nature, lesions of the skin and mucous membranes, diseases of a generalized type;
Terminal stage.

According to statistics, HIV infection is most often diagnosed at the stage of secondary manifestations and this is due to the fact that the symptoms of HIV become pronounced and begin to disturb the patient during this period of the course of the disease.

Incubation period

After a person has contracted HIV infection, no symptoms or even small hints of the development of any pathology are observed for a long time. Just this period is called the incubation period, it can last, in accordance with the classification of V.I. Pokrovsky, from 3 weeks to 3 months.

No examinations and laboratory tests of biomaterials (serological, immunological, hematological tests) will help to identify HIV infection, and the infected person himself does not look sick at all. But it is the incubation period, without any manifestations, that is of particular danger - a person serves as a source of infection.

Some time after infection, the patient enters an acute phase of the disease - the clinical picture during this period may become a reason for diagnosing HIV infection in question.

Stage of primary manifestations

Active reproduction of the virus continues, but the body is already beginning to respond to the introduction of HIV. This phase lasts about 3 months.

It can proceed in three ways:

Asymptomatic - there are no signs of the disease, but antibodies to HIV are found in the blood.
Acute HIV infection - this is where the first symptoms of HIV infection appear, accompanied by an unmotivated rise in body temperature to subfebrile numbers, increased fatigue, increased sweating, various rashes on the skin and mucous membranes, swollen lymph nodes (often posterior cervical, axillary, elbow), in some people may experience sore throat, diarrhea, enlarged spleen and liver. Blood test - reduced lymphocytes, leukocytes, thrombocytopenia. This period lasts on average from 2 weeks to 1.5 months, then goes into a latent stage.
Acute HIV infection with secondary diseases - sometimes in the acute phase, the suppression of immunity is so strong that already at this stage HIV-associated infections (pneumonia, herpes, fungal infections, etc.) may appear.

Acute infection

The most common first manifestation of HIV infection is symptoms resembling infectious mononucleosis. In a person, for no apparent reason, the temperature rises to 38 ° C and above, inflammation of the tonsils (tonsillitis) appears, lymph nodes (usually cervical) become inflamed. The reason for the increase in temperature is often not possible to establish, it does not decrease after taking antipyretics and antibiotics. At the same time, there is a sharp weakness, weakness, profuse sweating, mainly at night. The patient is worried about headache, loss of appetite, sleep is disturbed.

When examining a patient, one can determine an increase in the liver and spleen, which is accompanied by complaints of heaviness in the hypochondria, aching pains in the same place. A small maculopapular rash appears on the skin in the form of small pale pink spots, sometimes merging into larger formations. A prolonged bowel disorder appears in the form of frequent loose stools.
In blood tests, with this variant of the onset of the disease, an increased level of leukocytes, lymphocytes is determined, and atypical mononuclear cells are detected. This variant of the first symptoms of HIV infection is observed in 30% of patients.
In other cases, acute infection may present with serous meningitis or encephalitis. These conditions are characterized by intense headache, often nausea and vomiting, fever. Sometimes the first symptom of HIV infection is inflammation of the esophagus - esophagitis, accompanied by chest pain, swallowing disorders.

Other nonspecific symptoms of the disease are possible, as well as an oligosymptomatic course. The duration of this stage ranges from several days to 2 months, after which all signs of the disease disappear again. Antibodies to HIV at this stage may also not be detected.

Latent stage of HIV

It lasts up to 2-20 years or more. Immunodeficiency progresses slowly, the symptoms of HIV are expressed by lymphadenitis - an increase in lymph nodes. They are elastic and painless, mobile, the skin retains its normal color. When diagnosing latent HIV infection, the number of enlarged nodes is taken into account - at least two, and their localization - at least 2 groups that are not connected by a common lymph flow (the exception is the inguinal nodes).

Lymph moves in the same direction as venous blood, from the periphery to the heart. If 2 lymph nodes are enlarged in the head and neck, then this is not considered a sign of the latent stage of HIV. The combined increase in groups of nodes located in the upper and lower parts of the body, plus a progressive decrease in the number of T-lymphocytes (helpers) are in favor of HIV.

Stage of secondary diseases or AIDS

The number of lymphocytes decreases so much that such infections begin to cling to a person that would otherwise never have occurred. These diseases are called AIDS-associated infections:

Kaposi's sarcoma;
brain lymphoma;
candidiasis of the esophagus, bronchi or lungs;
cytomegalovirus infections;
pneumocystis pneumonia;
pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis, etc.

Actually this list is long. In 1987, a committee of WHO experts compiled a list of 23 diseases that are considered markers of AIDS, and the presence of the first 12 does not require immunological confirmation of the presence of the virus in the body.

Features of the first signs of HIV infection in women

Women are significantly more likely than men to have secondary manifestations such as herpes, cytomegalovirus infection and vaginal candidiasis, as well as candidal esophagitis.

In addition, at the stage of secondary manifestations, the first signs of the disease may be menstrual irregularities, inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs, most often acute salpingitis. Diseases of the cervix, such as carcinoma or dysplasia, may be observed.

Can you get HIV through protected sex?

If a condom was used during sexual intercourse, it was used according to the instructions and remained intact, then the risk of becoming infected with HIV is minimized. If, after 3 or more months after a dubious contact, symptoms resembling an HIV infection appear, then you just need to contact a therapist. An increase in temperature, an increase in lymph nodes may indicate the development of SARS and other diseases. For your own peace of mind, you should take an HIV test.

What to do if you had unprotected intercourse?

There are a number of drugs that are used for post-exposure prophylaxis of HIV. Unfortunately, they are not available for free sale, so you will have to go to an appointment with a therapist and explain the situation. There is no guarantee that such measures will 100% prevent the development of HIV infection, but experts say that taking such drugs is quite advisable - the risk of developing the human immunodeficiency virus is reduced by 70-75%.

If there is no opportunity (or courage) to see a doctor with a similar problem, then there is only one thing left - to wait. It will be necessary to wait 3 months, then undergo an HIV test, and even if the result is negative, it is worth taking a control test after another 3 months.

Can you get infected through oral sex?

The risk of contracting HIV infection through oral sex is minimized. The fact is that the virus does not survive in the environment, therefore, for it to be transmitted orally, two conditions must come together: there are wounds / abrasions on the partner's penis and wounds / abrasions in the partner's oral cavity. But even these circumstances do not in every case lead to infection with HIV infection.

For your own peace of mind, you need to pass a specific HIV test 3 months after a dangerous contact and undergo a “control” examination after another 3 months.

HIV is the human immunodeficiency virus and AIDS is the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. It seems that there is an obvious difference between these concepts: a virus, as a living organism, albeit a non-cellular form, cannot in any way be equal to a syndrome (a set of various complaints and signs).

However, in modern medical science, the course of HIV infection almost always, in the absence of treatment, ends with the development of AIDS. Therefore, AIDS can be considered a pronounced final course of this disease, in which the body's defenses are practically absent, and a variety of infections that do not occur in healthy individuals lead to death.

About the periods of the course of HIV - infection

Symptoms of AIDS do not develop immediately: it proceeds (in typical cases) as follows:

Infection occurs first.

Most often - this is parenteral (intravenous) drug use together with one syringe, unprotected sex, especially anal, and intranatal infection of the child during childbirth. This process takes from 2 weeks to a month;

Immediately after infection, the virus enters the lymphoid tissue of the intestine, remains there and multiplies, entering the blood in high concentrations. Then there is the primary clinic of acute HIV infection - this is an acute retroviral syndrome.

It also proceeds in typical cases, about a month;

The stage of seroconversion begins - specific immunoglobulins appear in the blood, and the patient becomes seropositive for HIV. This stage also lasts about a month;
Carrying an asymptomatic HIV infection. This is the longest stage. On average, its terms are from 8 to 10 years. During this time, the body is rapidly losing its full-fledged immune cells, and then comes the "failure" of compensation - AIDS.
The AIDS stage is an extended stage of a long-term ongoing HIV infection. On average, 1.5 years pass from the onset of symptoms to the death of the patient, and this is despite expensive therapy.

Thus, the average “survival period” of an infected patient who neglected to see a doctor and did not start treatment with special antiviral agents is, on average, 10-11 years.

Therefore, it is impossible to talk about what the first signs of HIV / AIDS are: first there are signs of HIV infection, and then - AIDS, the final picture of the "decomposition" of the body - which was left without immune protection, like a large piece of meat in hot summer.

That is why it is very important to “detect” acute manifestations of primary HIV infection, think about possible involvement in risk groups, and urgently pass the necessary tests. What are the symptoms of the primary attack of the HIV virus?

The first signs of HIV infection

Prolonged fever that does not go away, rash

Naturally, patients need to remember that the symptoms listed below, no matter how they fit into the picture of acute retroviral syndrome, are not the basis for the diagnosis. Only the detection of a virus in the blood (viral load), which appears earlier than the corresponding antibodies, gives grounds for a diagnosis. What symptoms will indicate the presence of a possible HIV infection?

First of all, it is a condition resembling a protracted flu. Almost everyone has a long, within a week, rise in temperature up to 7-10 days. The temperature usually rises to high (febrile) figures: 38 - 40 ° C. After 2-3 days from the beginning of the rise in temperature, a spotty-tubercular rash appears on the face, trunk and neck. Other typical symptoms that occur during this period are as follows:

general weakness and weakness (in 69% of patients);
loss of appetite and pain in the joints and muscles - arthralgia and myalgia (in half of the patients);
various aphthae and sores on the oral mucosa (in 38% of patients);
pharyngitis and tonsillitis-like syndrome - 44%;
weight loss for a week of fever by 2.5 - 3 kg or more (33%).

At the same time, in experienced specialists, the combination of fever with rash, arthralgia, muscle pain and bouts of night sweats caused maximum alertness in relation to HIV infection, which was confirmed.

It should also be mentioned that many patients who become ill with acute HIV infection often have lymphadenopathy syndrome (enlargement of regional lymph nodes), diarrhea, and enlargement of the spleen and liver. Occasionally, meningitis occurred, in which pathogens could not be found (aseptic), and in women, candidal vaginitis manifested itself.

What does acute retroviral syndrome indicate?

It is important to know that a key factor in the rapid adverse outcome of an infection in AIDS is a slow and steady drop in the concentration of CD4, or a marker of T glycoprotein - lymphocytes - helpers in the patient's blood plasma.

But in an acute process, the CD4 count is high - more than 600 per microliter. The symptoms of AIDS begin when this number drops to 200 or less years later. But it is precisely in the primary stage of HIV infection, due to the greatest surge in the reproduction of the virus in the body, that the danger of infecting another person is greatest - after all, up to 10 million viruses can be found in every milliliter of blood.

About the risk of infection

In conclusion, it can be summarized that, of course, the symptoms described above without a confirmed viral load are not signs of HIV. But in the event that a few weeks before the development of such symptoms you had unprotected sex, or joint intravenous drug use, you should urgently contact the AIDS center, since only these organizations have the right to officially diagnose.

All other cases (including infection in medical institutions) are still casuistic and isolated. But, given the fact that in some large cities the spread of HIV infection has become epidemic, ordinary couples need to be careful as well.

Currently, cases of sexual infection of patients within the family, during normal sex, have begun to be recorded. And this speaks of a prognostic dangerous factor that HIV-infection "stepped over" the walls of the reservoir of drug addicts and homosexuals, and went "to the people." And we must stop it as soon as possible.

HIV infection is a disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus, characterized by acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, which contributes to the occurrence of secondary infections and malignant tumors due to a deep inhibition of the body's protective properties.

A feature of the virus that causes HIV infection is the development of a sluggish infectious and inflammatory process in the human body, as well as a long period of incubation. In more detail about what kind of disease it is, what causes its development, symptoms and ways of transmission, as well as what is prescribed as a treatment, we will consider further.

What is HIV infection?

HIV infection is a slowly progressive viral disease that affects the immune system, the extreme stage of which is AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a retrovirus of the lentivirus genus, infection with which depresses the immune system and leads to the development of a slowly progressive disease of HIV infection.

In the human body, nature has a mechanism by which immune cells produce antibodies that can resist microorganisms with foreign genetic information.

When antigens enter the body, lymphocytes begin to work in it. They recognize the enemy and neutralize it, but when the body is damaged by a virus, the protective barriers are destroyed and a person can die within a year after infection.

Main types of HIV infection:

HIV-1 or HIV-1 - causes typical symptoms, is very aggressive, is the main causative agent of the disease. Opened in 1983, found in Central Africa, Asia and Western Europe, North and South America.
HIV-2 or HIV-2 - the symptoms of HIV are not as intense, it is considered a less aggressive strain of HIV. Opened in 1986, found in Germany, France, Portugal and West Africa.
HIV-2 or HIV-2 are extremely rare.

Causes and ways of transmission

The higher the immune status of a healthy person, the lower the risk of getting an infection when in contact with an HIV-infected patient. Conversely, weak immunity will lead to an increased risk of infection and a severe course of the resulting disease.

A high viral load in a person who has HIV in the body increases his risk as a carrier of the disease several times.

How HIV is transmitted to humans:

During intercourse without the use of a condom. And also during oral sex, if there are cuts or injuries.
The use of a syringe for injection, a medical instrument after an HIV-infected person.
Entry into the human body of blood already infected with the virus. Occurs during treatment, blood transfusion.
Infection of a child from a sick mother in the womb during childbirth or during lactation.
Using the tool after an HIV-infected person during cosmetic procedures, manicure or pedicure, tattooing, piercing, etc.
The use in everyday life of someone else's personal hygiene items, for example, shaving accessories, a toothbrush, toothpicks, etc.

How can you not get infected with HIV?

If there is an HIV-infected person in your environment, you must remember that you cannot become infected with HIV by:

Coughing and sneezing.
Handshake.
Hugs and kisses.
Eating shared food or drinks.
In pools, baths, saunas.
Through "injections" in transport and the subway. Information about the possible infection through infected needles that HIV-infected people put on the seats or try to prick people in the crowd with them is nothing more than myths. The virus persists in the environment for a very short time, in addition, the content of the virus at the tip of the needle is too small.

HIV is an unstable virus, it dies quickly outside the carrier's body, is sensitive to temperature effects (reduces infectious properties at a temperature of 56 ° C, dies after 10 minutes when heated to 70-80 ° C). It is well preserved in the blood and its preparations prepared for transfusion.

At-risk groups:

intravenous drug addicts;
persons, regardless of orientation, who use anal sex;
recipients (recipients) of blood or organs;
medical workers;
persons involved in the sex industry, both prostitutes and their clients.

Without highly active antiretroviral therapy, the life expectancy of patients does not exceed 10 years. The use of antiviral drugs can slow down the progression of HIV and the development of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome - AIDS. Signs and symptoms of HIV at different stages of the disease have their own color. They are varied and increase in severity.

Early signs of HIV in adults

The human immunodeficiency virus is a retrovirus that causes HIV infection. Depending on the clinical signs of HIV infection, the following stages are distinguished:

incubation period.
Primary manifestations: acute infection; asymptomatic infection; generalized lymphadenopathy.
secondary manifestations. damage to the skin and mucous membranes; persistent damage to internal organs; generalized diseases.
Terminal stage.

HIV has no symptoms of its own and can masquerade as any infectious disease. At the same time, vesicles, pustules, seborrheic dermatitis appear on the skin. The virus can only be detected with the help of tests: an HIV test.

The first signs to look out for are:

Fever of unknown origin for more than 1 week.
An increase in various groups of lymph nodes: cervical, axillary, inguinal - for no apparent reason (absence of inflammatory diseases), especially if lymphadenopathy does not go away within a few weeks.
Diarrhea for several weeks.
The appearance of signs of candidiasis (thrush) of the oral cavity in an adult.
Extensive or atypical localization of herpetic eruptions.
Sudden weight loss for any reason.

Symptoms of HIV Infection

The course of HIV infection is quite diverse, not always all stages take place, certain clinical signs may be absent. Depending on the individual clinical course, the duration of the disease can range from several months to 15-20 years.

The main symptoms of HIV infection:

An increase in 2 or more lymph nodes, unrelated to each other, which are painless, and the skin above them does not change its color;
Increased fatigue;
Gradual decrease in CD4-lymphocytes, at a rate of approximately 0.05-0.07×10 9 /l per year.

Such symptoms accompany the patient from about 2 to 20 years or more.

In the human body, HIV goes through 5 stages, each of which is accompanied by certain signs and symptoms.

stage 1 human immunodeficiency virus

HIV infection stage 1 (window period, seroconversion, incubation period) - the period from infection of the body with a virus until the appearance of the first antibodies detected in it. It usually ranges from 14 days to 1 year, which largely depends on the health of the immune system.

Stage 2 (acute phase)

The appearance of primary symptoms, which are divided into periods A, B, C.

Period 2A - no symptoms.
Period 2B - the first manifestations of infection, similar to the course of other infectious diseases.
2B - manifests itself in the form of herpes, pneumonia, but at this stage of the development of the disease, infections respond well to treatment. Period 2B lasts 21 days.

Latent period and its symptoms

The latent stage of HIV lasts up to 2-20 years or more. Immunodeficiency progresses slowly, the symptoms of HIV are expressed - an increase in lymph nodes:

They are elastic and painless, mobile, the skin retains its normal color.
When diagnosing latent HIV infection, the number of enlarged nodes is taken into account - at least two, and their localization - at least 2 groups that are not connected by a common lymph flow (the exception is inguinal nodes)

Stage 4 (preAIDS)

This stage begins when the level of CD4+ lymphocytes falls critically and approaches the figure of 200 cells in 1 µl of blood. As a result of such suppression of the immune system (its cellular link), the patient develops:

recurrent herpes and genital organs,
hairy leukoplakia of the tongue (whitish protruding folds and plaques on the lateral surfaces of the tongue).

In general, any infectious disease (for example, tuberculosis, salmonellosis, pneumonia) is more severe than in the general mass of people.

HIV infection stage 5 (AIDS)

The terminal stage is characterized by irreversible changes, treatment is ineffective. The number of T-helper cells (CD4 cells) falls below 0.05x109/l, patients die weeks or months after the onset of the stage. In drug addicts who have been using psychoactive substances for several years, the CD4 level may remain almost within the normal range, but severe infectious complications (abscesses, etc.) develop very quickly and lead to death.

The number of lymphocytes decreases so much that such infections begin to cling to a person that would otherwise never have occurred. These diseases are called AIDS-associated infections:

Kaposi's sarcoma;
brain;
, bronchi or lungs;
pneumocystis pneumonia;
pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis, etc.

Pathogenic factors that accelerate the development of the disease from stage 1 to AIDS:

Lack of timely and adequate treatment;
Co-infection (accession to HIV infection of other infectious diseases);
stress;
Poor quality food;
Elderly age;
genetic features;
Bad habits - alcohol, smoking.

HIV has no symptoms of its own can disguise for any infectious disease. At the same time, vesicles, pustules, lichen appear on the skin. The virus can only be detected with the help of tests: an HIV test.

Diagnosis and test for HIV

If you suspect HIV infection, you should contact an infectious disease specialist. The analysis can be submitted anonymously at the Center for the Prevention and Control of AIDS, which is available in every region. There, doctors give advice on all issues related to HIV infection and AIDS.

Considering the fact that the course of the disease is characterized by the duration of the absence of severe symptoms, the diagnosis is possible only on the basis of laboratory tests, which come down to the detection of antibodies to HIV in the blood or directly upon detection of the virus.

The acute phase mainly does not determine the presence of antibodies, however, after three months from the moment of infection, in about 95% of cases, they are detected.

HIV diagnosis consists of special tests:

1th test — enzyme immunoassay (ELISA). This is the most common diagnostic method. Three months after the virus enters the bloodstream, the amount of antibodies that can be determined by enzyme immunoassay is accumulated in the human body. In about 1% of cases, it gives false positive or false negative results.
2nd test - immunoblot (Immune Blotting). This test detects the presence of specific antibodies to HIV. The result can be positive, negative and doubtful (or uncertain). An indeterminate result may mean that HIV is present in the person's bloodstream, but the body has not yet produced the full range of antibodies.
PCR or polymerase chain reaction used to identify any infectious agent, including the HIV virus. In this case, its RNA is detected, and the pathogen can be detected at very early stages (at least 10 days must pass after infection).
Rapid tests, thanks to which, after 15 minutes, you can determine the presence of an HIV infection. There are several types of them:
- The most accurate test is immunochromatographic. The test consists of special strips on which capillary blood, urine or saliva is applied. If antibodies to HIV are detected, then the strip has a color and a control line. If the answer is no, only the line is visible.
- OraSure Technologies1 home use kits. Developer - America. This test has been approved by the FDA.

Incubation period HIV virus is 90 days. During this interval, it is difficult to identify the presence of pathology, but this can be done through PCR.

Even after the final diagnosis of "HIV infection" during the entire period of the disease, it is necessary to conduct a regular laboratory study of the patient in order to monitor the course of clinical symptoms and the effectiveness of treatment.

Treatment and prognosis

The cure for HIV has not yet been invented, the vaccine does not exist. It is impossible to remove the virus from the body, and this is a fact at this time. However, one should not lose hope: active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) can significantly slow down and even practically stop the development of HIV infection and its complications.

Predominantly, treatment is etiotropic and implies the appointment of such drugs, due to which a decrease in the reproductive capabilities of the virus is ensured. In particular, these include the following drugs:

nucleoside transcriptase inhibitors (otherwise - NRTIs) corresponding to different groups: Ziagen, Videx, Zerit, combined drugs (combivir, trizivir);
nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (otherwise - NTRTI): stokrin, viramune;
fusion inhibitors;
protease inhibitors.

The main task of the treating specialist in the selection of a drug regimen for antiviral treatment of HIV is to minimize adverse reactions. In addition to the use of specific medicines, the patient must necessarily carry out a correction of eating behavior, as well as the regime of work and rest.

In addition, one should take into account that some of the HIV-infected belong to the category of non-progressors who have viral particles in their blood, but the development of AIDS does not occur.

Factors slowing down the transition of HIV infection to the stage of AIDS:

Timely initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). In the absence of HAART, the death of the patient occurs within 1 year from the date of diagnosis of AIDS. It is believed that in regions where HAART is available, the life expectancy of HIV-infected people reaches 20 years.
No side effects on taking antiretroviral drugs.
Adequate treatment of comorbidities.
Sufficient food.
Rejection of bad habits.

HIV infection is completely incurable, in many cases antiviral therapy gives little result. Today, on average, HIV-infected people live 11-12 years, but careful therapy and modern medications will significantly lengthen the life of patients.

The main role in curbing the developing AIDS is played by the psychological state of the patient and his efforts to comply with the prescribed regimen.

This is all about HIV infection: what are the first symptoms in women and men, how to treat the disease. Do not be ill!

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is what infection with the immunodeficiency virus (HIV) leads to. The condition is characterized by a severe drop in T4 lymphocytes, helpers that help the body fight infections and suppress cells that grow out of control.

Immunity drops. The first signs of AIDS often invisible, in such cases, regular HIV testing helps to learn about the disease.

AIDS: how does HIV infection spread, what threatens it and is there a treatment?

The disease is transmitted in several ways: with any kind of intimacy not protected by a condom (vaginal, oral, anal), ingestion of infected blood (through needles, transfusion, accidental contact with wounds), through sexual fluids (semen, vaginal secretion), from mother to during pregnancy, childbirth or lactation.

Spreading HIV through saliva, hugs or tears is not possible.

Signs of AIDS in an HIV-infected person do not appear immediately: it can take decades from the moment of infection before the disease enters the terminal phase. During these years, the infection will multiply itself and suppress more and more cells of the immune system, which leads to the development of concomitant diseases.

People do not die from AIDS: death is caused by concomitant diseases that develop against the background of a weakened immune system.

Modern medicine is not able to cure HIV infection, but recently developed powerful drugs can significantly slow down the course of the disease.

Antretroviral therapy is aimed at suppressing the activity and reproduction of viral cells, which allows you to save more T4 lymphocytes.

The virus continues to be investigated in search of a way to completely destroy it. The only thing that prevents a global epidemic is the promotion of safe sex and the use of clean syringes.

Stages of AIDS: how does the disease develop?

In the Russian Federation and the CIS countries, the stages of development of AIDS from HIV infection are classified by the method of V. I. Pokrovsky (developed in 1989):

I. Incubator stage- the period of waiting for the first reaction of the body to HIV infection, its duration is unpredictable.

II. Primary manifestations in three forms: acute febrile, asymptomatic or persistent generalized lymphadenopathy.

III. Latent stage- the period of gradual destruction of T4-lymphocytes, can last both 2 years and 20 years - the exact time is individual.

IV. Manifestations of secondary diseases- the period of the first signs of AIDS: the total body weight decreases; the central nervous system is affected; cells give in to uncontrolled growth (oncology, Kaposi's sarcoma); fungi, viruses, bacteria actively develop on the skin, mucous membranes, respiratory organs, etc.

V. Terminal stage- secondary diseases are irreversible, their treatment does not give results, the patient is diagnosed with AIDS.

How does AIDS and HIV manifest itself?

The first signs of HIV infection occur in stage II. In the acute febrile form, very non-specific symptoms are observed (reminiscent of the flu):

pain in muscles, joints, eyes, head, throat;
painful enlargement of the cervical, axillary and inguinal lymph nodes;
signs of intoxication (diarrhea, vomiting, nausea);
drowsiness, weight loss, malaise, fever (often no more than 37.5°);
rashes on the skin or mucous membranes (sores);
possible serous meningitis (headaches, dislike of light).

The acute febrile form occurs in 50-70% of cases. The rest of the patients are asymptomatic, its duration can reach 10 years.

After the acute phase, in 90% of cases the disease goes into a "mode" without symptoms, in 10% there is a sharp deterioration in the condition and accelerated development of HIV.

The first signs of AIDS

The first symptoms of AIDS, arising from the maximum loss of lymphocytes due to HIV infection, appear at stage IV.

It all starts with the activation of infections that are considered normal inhabitants of the human body. With a healthy immune system, these infections are not capable of causing disease.

During the first phase AIDS is observed:

less than 10% weight loss;
development of candidal stomatitis (thrush in the mouth);
white plaques appear on the sides of the tongue;
the chickenpox virus causes shingles;
often manifested by the herpes virus;
sinusitis, otitis, pharyngitis and other otolaryngological diseases occur;
blood clotting (thrombocytopenia) decreases, causing small skin hemorrhages, bleeding gums.

During the second phase advanced AIDS, weight loss reaches 10% or more, other secondary diseases join the above infections:

intestinal helminthiasis;
pneumonia, tuberculosis of various organs;
atypical infections from mycobacteria, mycobacteremia;
severe neurological disorders develop (encephalopathy, dementia);
oncological diseases (kaposi's sarcoma, cervical cancer, lymphomas);
infection with citalomegavirus, papillomavirus;
toxoplasmosis and other serious diseases.

Sudden weight loss, long-term diarrhea, fever for a week or more, enlargement of all lymph nodes - having noticed the first signs of AIDS, you should immediately seek medical help. You should also be tested for antibodies to HIV if there are signs of thrush in the oral cavity and large rashes of herpes.