AIDS disease
AIDS stands for acquired immune deficiency syndrome. AIDS is a stage of the human immunodeficiency Virus infection (HIV). However, not all HIV will become HIV/AIDS.
AIDS is a syndrome or a collection of symptoms arising from a very weak immune system. Infections that should not be severe in the normal, can be lethal in people with HIV/AIDS. Until now no treatment can cure HIV/AIDS. HIV treatment aims to support the immune system so that people can live a normal and healthy life and not to be AIDS.
Causes of AIDS
AIDS caused by HIV infection. This Virus invades the immune system that should serve to fight infections. The HIV Virus damages the white blood cells called CD4 cells. The Virus also creates a copy of his body inside the cell. Consequently, the immune system decreases and causes the body to struggle against infection. If people with HIV are not getting treatment, HIV can become AIDS in a period of 10 to 15 years.
The HIV Virus is transmitted through direct contact with blood and body fluids – such as sperm, vaginal fluid, and breast milk. In many cases, transmission can be through the use of a syringe such as in an injectable drug user. Another case is the sexual intercourse because there is often a small, unconscious wound.
Diagnosis of AIDS
The doctor will determine the diagnosis of HIV/AIDS from the sufferer's symptoms. A supporting examination is required primarily to detect the presence of antibodies against HIV viruses and the number of CD4 cells. The first test to detect HIV antibodies is the enzyme immunoassay (EIA) test. If the patient is positive, a confirmation test will be done with the Western Blot test.
People with a normal immune system have CD4 cells between 500 to 1500. Meanwhile, in HIV sufferers who have decreased CD4 cells, this number drops to below 200 and is said to be HIV/AIDS. Another supporting examination aims to find out what opportunistic infections attack people with HIV/AIDS such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, some types of cancer and so on.
Symptoms of AIDS
Symptoms of HIV/AIDS include serious infections such as:
- Prolonged diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Cold Sweat at night
- Fever
- Persistent cough
- Skin and mouth problems such as fungal infections
- Recurrent and frequent infections
- Exposed to serious illness
- Excessive weakness and fatigue
- Weight
AIDS Treatment
Until now no treatment can cure HIV/AIDS. Treatment aims to stop disease development and support the sufferer to live normal. It is important to start HIV treatment early so that HIV does not become HIV/AIDS.
Treatment is carried out using antiretroviral drugs (ARVS). The drug fights HIV infection and slows the spread of viruses in the body. There are several classes of ARV medications such as:
- Protease inhibitors
- Integrase inhibitors
- Polyamide/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)
- Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs)
- Chemokine co-receptor antagonists
- Entry inhibitors
Usually, treatment is done using a combination of several kinds of drugs. The type of combination of drugs varies, depending on each sufferer. Treatment of HIV/AIDS should be done for life. The drug should also be drunk regularly on the same schedule. Sufferers should control and check routine to the doctor for dosage changes if necessary.
Here are some side effects of treatment:
- Nausea
- Weak
- Diarrhea
- Headaches
- Skin rash
AIDS Prevention
The prevention of HIV/AIDS is to prevent the transmission of HIV. Prevention can be avoiding direct contact with the patient's fluid and blood.
Also, avoid the use of a syringe and free sexual intercourse. Using a condom-like safety during sexual intercourse can prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS. It is also important to conduct early detection and HIV treatment so that HIV does not become a more severe stage of HIV/AIDS.