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

What AIDS is, 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 21st) century, has not been found, and the likelihood of infection with the 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 were never established. The disease began to rapidly spread throughout 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 hidden carriers of the AIDS infection. However, what is certain is that the number of those who were officially diagnosed by 2015 exceeded 65 million. To minimize the risk of contracting a dangerous disease, you need to obtain 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 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 the immune system, 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, and people with antisocial behavior. But among the infected, unfortunately, there are many people who became infected within the walls of a medical institution. This happens because when analyzing a donor’s blood, the virus is not always detected - there is a so-called “blind” period during which the pathogenic process is not detected.

The sexual route of infection is the most common, with transmission from man to woman occurring 20 times more often than from woman to man. This is explained by the fact that the highest concentration of HIV pathogens is contained 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.

During homosexual contacts, the risk of infection is maximum, since in 90% of cases sexual intercourse is accompanied by injury to the thin mucous membrane of the rectum, and the virus immediately enters the blood.

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

Many people are interested in the question of whether it is possible to become infected with AIDS through kisses, handshakes, hugs, dishes and underwear. Doctors answer that in this case there is no risk at all. In addition, the risk of infection is extremely low even after a needle prick from a syringe that contains drops of blood from an infected person. 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 for them the process of dangerous contact is carried out in a continuous mode - a syringe with remains of fresh blood is repeatedly passed from hand to hand, and infection in such cases cannot be avoided.

The first symptoms of AIDS infection in women and men

As a rule, 3-6 weeks after infection, 60% of patients experience symptoms of AIDS, which people often associate with fatigue, or ARVI. In 40%, there are no symptoms of infection at all, and after the incubation period, the AIDS stage begins without any symptoms.

The phase of the disease, not accompanied by any symptoms, can last 10-15 years. The length of this period depends on how quickly 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 a number of common features:

feverish condition;
slight increase in temperature (within 37.5 degrees);
enlarged lymph nodes (under the arms, in the groin, in the neck, under the collarbones);
aching 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 remaining patients, after three weeks, their condition improves, and the disease enters a latent stage.

The first signs of HIV in women

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

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

The first signs of HIV in men

In men, the fever may be even more severe than in women. In this case, indigestion, frequent urination, skin rashes, and enlarged inguinal and cervical lymph nodes may occur.

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

Diagnosis of the disease

The only method for diagnosing HIV today is blood test for antibodies. Since there is no complete treatment for AIDS, early diagnosis of the disease will allow you to preserve a full life for many years, slow down the course of the disease as much as possible, and give hope that an effective drug will be introduced into medical practice.

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An HIV test should be carried out immediately after an event that carries a 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 occurs within three to six months after the moment of suspected infection.

Final laboratory tests should be performed 7 months after possible infection. This is a standard ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and ELISA test.

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

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

Prevention of AIDS and HIV

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

It is difficult to give advice to those patients who are admitted to the hospital with injuries, wounds or diseases that require a blood transfusion to treat. However, cases of HIV infection in hospital settings are extremely rare today - all blood products undergo a thorough luoratory test.

AIDS is a tragedy in a person’s life, and not only because the patient knows about its fatal nature. Society does not accept people with this diagnosis; 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 otherwise, and you have to come to terms with this fact. Therefore, it is necessary to take all possible measures to avoid becoming 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 (available in every city) to get tested and conduct research.

It may sound banal, 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 can cross out the path to happiness forever.

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

The disease is called AIDS - immune deficiency syndrome. The human immunodeficiency virus was officially announced in 1983. The disease is now so widespread that it has become an epidemic. Presumably, 50 million people in the world are currently 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, among blood transfusion recipients.

In 1982, the diagnosis of AIDS was formulated, but the causes of its occurrence were not established.
In 1983, HIV was first isolated from a cell culture of a sick person.
In 1984, HIV was identified as the cause of AIDS.
In 1985, a method for diagnosing HIV infection was developed using an 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 a translator in African countries.

Where did HIV come from?

In search of an answer to this question, many different theories have been proposed. No one can answer this for sure.

However, it is known that in the first studies of the epidemiology of HIV infection, it was found that the maximum prevalence of HIV was in the region of Central Africa. In addition, a virus capable of causing AIDS in humans has been isolated from the blood of the great apes (chimpanzees) living in this area, which may indicate the possibility of infection from these apes, perhaps through a bite or butchering of 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, it 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 lasts for many years. 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 influences 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 within several years it destroys the immune system.

AIDS

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

Statistics

Statistics on the number of people infected with HIV:

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 thousand identified in 2015. In the same year, more than 25 thousand people died from AIDS in Russia, and over the entire observation period since 1987 - more than 200 thousand.

For CIS countries (data based on the results of 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 statistics record only officially detected cases, the actual 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 HIV development:

Incubation period;
Primary manifestations are acute infection, asymptomatic and generalized lymphadenopathy;
Secondary manifestations are persistent lesions of internal organs, lesions of the skin and mucous membranes, generalized diseases;
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 bother the patient during this period of the disease.

Incubation period

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

No examinations or laboratory tests of biomaterials (serological, immunological, hematological tests) will help identify HIV infection, and the infected person himself does not look sick at all. But it is the incubation period, without any manifestations, that poses a 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 be a reason for questioning the diagnosis of HIV infection.

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 occur in three ways:

Asymptomatic – there are no signs of the disease, but antibodies to HIV are detected 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 levels, increased fatigue, increased sweating, various rashes on the skin and mucous membranes, enlarged lymph nodes (usually posterior cervical, axillary, elbow), Some people may experience sore throat, diarrhea, and an enlarged spleen and liver. Blood test - decreased lymphocytes, leukocytes, thrombocytopenia. This period lasts on average from 2 weeks to 1.5 months, then passes into the 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. A person’s temperature rises to 38˚C or higher for no apparent reason, inflammation of the tonsils (tonsillitis) appears, and the lymph nodes become inflamed (usually the cervical ones). The cause of the increase in temperature often cannot be determined; it does not decrease after taking antipyretics and antibiotics. At the same time, severe weakness, fatigue, and profuse sweating appear, mainly at night. The patient suffers from headache, loss of appetite, and disturbed sleep.

When examining the patient, one can determine an enlargement of the liver and spleen, which is accompanied by complaints of heaviness in the hypochondrium and aching pain there. A small maculopapular rash appears on the skin in the form of small pale pink spots, sometimes merging into larger formations. Long-term intestinal upset 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 manifest as serous meningitis or encephalitis. These conditions are characterized by intense headache, often nausea and vomiting, and increased body temperature. Sometimes the first symptom of HIV infection is inflammation of the esophagus - esophagitis, accompanied by chest pain and difficulty swallowing.

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

Latent stage of HIV

It lasts up to 2-20 years or more. Immunodeficiency progresses slowly, the symptoms of HIV are expressed by lymphadenitis - enlarged 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 location - at least 2 groups not connected by a common lymph flow (with the exception of 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 area, then this is not considered a sign of the latent stage of HIV. A 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 (helper cells) testify in favor of HIV.

Stage of secondary diseases or AIDS

The number of lymphocytes decreases so much that infections that otherwise would never have arisen begin to cling to a person. 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 WHO expert committee 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 much more likely than men to experience 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, and most often acute salpingitis. Diseases of the cervix, such as carcinoma or dysplasia, may occur.

Can you get HIV through protected sex?

If a condom was used during sexual intercourse, it was used according to instructions and remained intact, then the risk of becoming infected with HIV is minimized. If, 3 or more months after the questionable contact, symptoms reminiscent of HIV infection appear, then you just need to consult a therapist. An increase in temperature and enlarged lymph nodes may indicate the development of acute respiratory viral infections and other diseases. For your own peace of mind, you should get tested for HIV.

What to do if you had unprotected sexual intercourse?

There are a number of medications that are used for post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV. Unfortunately, they are not available for 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 medications is quite advisable - the risk of developing the human immunodeficiency virus is reduced by 70-75%.

If there is no opportunity (or courage) to consult a doctor with a similar problem, then there is only one thing left to do - wait. You will need to wait 3 months, then undergo an HIV test, and even if the result is negative, you should take 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, so in order to be infected orally, two conditions must come together: there are wounds/abrasions on the partner’s penis and wounds/abrasions in the partner’s mouth. But even these circumstances do not in every case lead to HIV infection.

For your own peace of mind, you need to take a specific HIV test 3 months after 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 in the development of AIDS. Therefore, AIDS can be considered a pronounced end of the 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 HIV infection

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

First, infection occurs.

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

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

It also lasts in typical cases for 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;
Carriage of asymptomatic HIV infection. This is the longest stage. On average, its terms range from 8 to 10 years. During this time, the body rapidly loses its full-fledged immune cells, and then a “failure” of compensation occurs - AIDS.
The AIDS stage is an advanced stage of a long-term 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 begin treatment with special antiviral drugs 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 of AIDS, the final picture of the “decomposition” of the body - which is left without immune protection, like a large piece of meat in the 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 undergo the necessary tests. What symptoms are characteristic 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 a diagnosis. Only the detection of a virus in the blood (viral load), which appears earlier than the corresponding antibodies, gives rise to a diagnosis. What symptoms will indicate the presence of a possible HIV infection?

First of all, this is a condition reminiscent of a protracted flu. Almost everyone experiences a prolonged rise in temperature over the course of a week, up to 7–10 days. The temperature usually rises to high (febrile) numbers: 38 - 40°C. After 2–3 days from the start of the rise in temperature, a spotty-tubercular rash appears on the face, torso 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 joints and muscles - arthralgia and myalgia (in half of the patients);
various aphthae and ulcers on the oral mucosa (in 38% of patients);
pharyngitis and angina-like syndrome – 44%;
decrease in body weight during the week of fever by 2.5 - 3 kg or more (33%).

At the same time, among experienced specialists, the maximum alertness regarding HIV infection, which was confirmed, was caused by a combination of fever with a rash, arthralgia, muscle pain and attacks of night sweats.

It should also be mentioned that many patients who become ill with acute HIV infection often experience lymphadenopathy syndrome (enlarged regional lymph nodes), diarrhea, as well as an enlarged spleen and liver. Occasionally, meningitis occurred, in which the 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 the key factor in the rapid unfavorable outcome of infection in AIDS is the slow and steady drop in the concentration of CD4, or a marker of glycoprotein T - helper lymphocytes in the patient’s blood plasma.

But in an acute process, the CD4 number is high - more than 600 per microliter. Signs of AIDS begin when this number, after many years, drops to 200 or below. But it is precisely during 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, every milliliter of blood can contain up to 10 million viruses.

About the risk of infection

In conclusion, we can summarize that, of course, the above symptoms without a confirmed viral load are not signs of HIV. But if, a few weeks before the development of such symptoms, you had unprotected sex, or shared intravenous drug use, you should urgently contact the AIDS center, since only these organizations have the right to officially establish a diagnosis.

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

Currently, cases of sexual infection of patients within the family, during ordinary sex, have begun to be recorded. And this speaks to the prognostically dangerous factor that HIV infection has “overstepped” the walls of the reservoir of drug addicts and homosexuals, and has gone “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 malignancies due to the profound inhibition of the body's protective properties.

A feature of the virus that causes HIV infection is the development of a sluggish infectious-inflammatory process in the human body, as well as a long incubation period. We will look in more detail about what kind of disease this is, what are the causes of its development, symptoms and routes of transmission, as well as what is prescribed as treatment.

What is HIV infection?

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

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

In the human body, nature has a mechanism through 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 infected by the virus, the protective barriers are destroyed and the person can die within a year of infection.

Main types of HIV infection:

HIV-1 or HIV-1 – causes typical symptoms, is very aggressive, and is the main causative agent of the disease. Discovered in 1983, it is found in Central Africa, Asia and Western Europe, North and South America.
HIV-2 or HIV-2 – HIV symptoms are less intense and is considered a less aggressive strain of HIV. Discovered in 1986, it is found in Germany, France, Portugal and West Africa.
HIV-2 or HIV-2 is extremely rare.

Causes and routes 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. And vice versa - 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 with HIV in his body increases his danger as a carrier of the disease several times.

Methods of transmission of HIV to humans:

During sexual intercourse without using a condom. And also during oral sex, if there are cuts or damage.
Using an injection syringe, a medical instrument after a person infected with HIV.
The entry into the human body of blood already infected with the virus. Occurs during treatment and blood transfusion.
Infection of a child from a sick mother in the womb during childbirth or lactation.
Using an instrument after an HIV-infected person during cosmetic procedures, manicure or pedicure, tattooing, piercing, etc.
Using other people's personal hygiene items in everyday life, for example, razors, toothbrushes, toothpicks, etc.

How can you avoid becoming infected with HIV?

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

Coughing and sneezing.
Handshake.
Hugs and kisses.
Consumption of shared food or drinks.
In swimming pools, baths, saunas.
Through “injections” in transport and the metro. Information about possible infection through infected needles that HIV-infected people place on seats, or try to inject people in a crowd with them, is nothing more than myths. The virus does not persist in the environment for very long; in addition, the virus content at the tip of the needle is too small.

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

At-risk groups:

intravenous drug users;
persons, regardless of orientation, who use anal sex;
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 colors. They are varied and increase in severity of manifestation.

The first signs of HIV in adults

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. In this case, blisters, pustules, and seborrheic dermatitis appear on the skin. The virus can only be detected using tests: an HIV test.

The first signs you need to pay attention to:

Fever of unknown origin for more than 1 week.
Enlargement of various groups of lymph nodes: cervical, axillary, inguinal - for no apparent reason (no inflammatory diseases), especially if lymphadenopathy does not go away within several 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.
A sharp decrease in body weight, regardless of any reason.

Symptoms of HIV infection

The course of HIV infection is quite diverse; all stages do not always occur; 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.

Main symptoms of HIV infection:

Enlargement of 2 or more lymph nodes, unconnected, which are painless, and the skin over them does not change its color;
Increased fatigue;
A gradual decrease in CD4 lymphocytes, at a rate of approximately 0.05-0.07 × 10 9 / l per year.

Such symptoms accompany the patient for approximately 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 the virus until the appearance of the first antibodies detected in 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 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, HIV symptoms are expressed by enlarged 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 location - at least 2 groups not connected by a common lymph flow (with the exception of inguinal nodes)

Stage 4 (pre-AIDS)

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

recurrent herpes and genitals,
hairy leukoplakia of the tongue (whitish raised 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 population.

Stage 5 HIV infection (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 from the onset of the stage. In drug addicts who have been using psychoactive substances for several years, CD4 levels may remain almost within normal limits, but severe infectious complications (abscesses, etc.) develop very quickly and are fatal.

The number of lymphocytes decreases so much that infections that otherwise would never have arisen begin to cling to a person. 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;
Coinfection (addition of other infectious diseases to HIV infection);
Stress;
Poor quality food;
Elderly age;
Genetic characteristics;
Bad habits – alcohol, smoking.

HIV has no symptoms of its own and can camouflage for any infectious diseases. At the same time, blisters, pustules, lichen, appear on the skin. The virus can only be detected using tests: an HIV test.

Diagnosis and test for HIV

If you suspect HIV infection, you should contact an infectious disease specialist. The test can be taken anonymously at the AIDS Prevention and Control Center, which is located in every region. There, doctors also provide consultations on all issues related to HIV infection and AIDS.

Considering the fact that the course of the disease is characterized by a duration of absence of severe symptoms, diagnosis is possible only on the basis of laboratory tests, which boil down to identifying 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, three months after infection, they are detected in about 95% of cases.

HIV diagnosis consists of special tests:

1test - 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 an enzyme immunoassay accumulates in the human body. It gives false positive or false negative results in about 1% of cases.
2nd test - immunoblot (Immune Blotting). This test determines 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 a person’s bloodstream, but the body has not yet produced the full range of antibodies.
PCR or polymerase chain reaction used to determine any infectious pathogen, 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 you can determine the presence of HIV infection within 15 minutes. There are several types of them:
- The most accurate test is immunochromatographic. The test consists of special strips onto which capillary blood, urine or saliva is applied. If antibodies to HIV are detected, the strip has a colored line and a control line. If the answer is no, only the line is noticeable.
- Home use kits "OraSure Technologies1". Developer - America. This test was approved by the FDA.

Incubation period HIV virus life is 90 days. During this period, it is difficult to detect the presence of pathology, but this can be done using PCR.

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

Treatment and prognosis

A cure for HIV has not yet been invented, and there is no vaccine. 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 reliably slow down and even practically stop the development of HIV infection and its complications.

Treatment is predominantly etiotropic and involves the prescription of drugs that reduce the reproductive capabilities of the virus. In particular, these include the following drugs:

nucleoside transcriptase inhibitors (otherwise known as NRTIs), corresponding to various groups: Ziagen, Videx, Zerit, combination drugs (combivir, trizivir);
nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (otherwise known as NTRTIs): stocrine, viramune;
fusion inhibitors;
protease inhibitors.

The main task of the treating specialist when selecting a drug regimen for antiviral treatment of HIV is to minimize adverse reactions. In addition to the use of specific medications, the patient must correct eating behavior, as well as work and rest patterns.

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

Factors that slow down the transition of HIV infection to the AIDS stage:

Timely initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). In the absence of HAART, the patient's death 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 from taking antiretroviral drugs.
Adequate treatment of concomitant diseases.
Adequate food.
Rejection of bad habits.

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

The main role in containing the developing AIDS is played by the psychological state of the patient and his efforts aimed at complying 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 results from infection with the immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The condition is characterized by a strong drop in T4 lymphocytes - helper cells that help the body cope with infections and suppress cells with uncontrolled growth.

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

AIDS: how does HIV infection spread, what are the risks and is there treatment?

The disease is transmitted in several ways: through any type of intimate intimacy not protected by a condom (vaginal, oral, anal), contaminated blood entering the body (through needles, transfusion, accidental contact with wounds), through sexual fluids (sperm, vaginal secretions), from the mother to during pregnancy, during childbirth or during lactation.

HIV cannot be spread through saliva, hugs or tears.

Signs of AIDS in someone infected with HIV do not appear immediately: it may 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 a background of weakened immunity.

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

Antiretroviral therapy is aimed at suppressing the activity and proliferation of viral cells, which allows for the preservation of more T4 lymphocytes.

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

Stages of AIDS: how does the disease develop?

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

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

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

III. Latent stage– a period of gradual destruction of T4 lymphocytes, can last either 2 years or 20 years – the exact time varies from person to person.

IV. Manifestations of secondary diseases– the period of the first signs of AIDS: total body weight decreases; the central nervous system is affected; cells succumb 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 produce results, the patient is diagnosed with AIDS.

How do AIDS and HIV manifest?

The first signs of HIV infection appear at stage II. In the acute febrile form, very nonspecific 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, elevated temperature (usually no more than 37.5°);
rashes on the skin or mucous membranes (ulcers);
Possible serous meningitis (headaches, aversion to light).

Acute febrile form occurs in 50-70% of cases. In other patients, the disease is 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, which arises 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 observed:

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

During the second phase full-blown AIDS, weight loss reaches 10% or more; the above infections are accompanied by other secondary diseases:

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, lymphoma);
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 - if you notice the first signs of AIDS, you should immediately seek medical help. You should also be tested for antibodies to HIV if signs of oral thrush and large herpes rashes appear.