AIDS

= **AIDS** =

= Table of Contents =
 * ==== What is AIDS? ====
 * ====What is HIV?====
 * ====Transmission ====
 * ====Effects ====
 * ====Treatment====
 * ====Prevention ====
 * ====Bibliography====

= =

= //**What Is AIDS?**// = ==== AIDS was first recognized in North America in the early 1980’s. AIDS stands for **A**cquired **I**mmuno**d**eficiency **S**yndrome, a fatal disease in which the body’s immune system breaks down, meaning that the body is unable to fight off infections (known as the “opportunistic infections”) and other illness taking advantage of weakened immune system. This particular disease develops from HIV and is considered to be the “last stage” of the HIV infection. The HIV, which cannot be destroyed, enters the body, and then lives and multiplies mostly in white blood cells, immune cells that help to protect the body from diseases. HIV starts growing killing immune cells (such as T-helpers or CD4 cells) and many other cells. This results in a progressive loss of immune cells, weakening the immune system. At this stage, the person infected with HIV is now unprotected against many infections and other illness such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, or cancer. For some, AIDS may develop soon after they are infected with the HIV, but for some, it takes months or years to show symptoms of AIDS. ====

**//[[image:rbssinfectiousdiseases/HIV_structure.gif width="300" height="228" align="left" caption="Structure of HIV"]] What Is HIV? //**
==== HIV stands for **H**uman **I**mmunodeficiency **V**irus, and it is believed to be the most complex virus encountered by mankind. HIV belongs to the retrovirus family (within subgroup of lentivirus – a slow subtype of retrovirus), meaning its genes are composed of RNA. HIV has 9 genes in total: 3 genes (gag, pol, and env) containing info needed to make structural protein for new virus particles, and 6 genes (tat, rev, nef, vif, vpr, vpu) to code for protein that controls the ability of HIV to infect a cell, reproduce, and cause disease. HIV, like other viruses, must infect a living cell to grow or reproduce. Structure wise, HIV is a roughly spherical particle with its surface studded with 72 spikes made out of protein. The diameter of this shape ranges from 100 to 150 billionths of a metre, with the total size being 0.001 mm. It is surrounded with a coat of fatty material, known as the viral envelope or membrane, and below the viral envelope, there is a layer made out of protein called matrix. The viral core of the capsid is made from protein and is usually bullet-shaped. This core contains 3 enzymes required for HIV replication: reverse transcriptase, intergrase, and protease. HIV’s genetic material (containing 2 identical strands of RNA) is held within the core. HIV must be seen with an electron microscope for it is too small to be seen through an ordinary microscope. ====

**// Transmission [[image:rbssinfectiousdiseases/AIDS_TRANSMISSION.jpg width="385" height="307" align="right" caption="Examples of Transmission of AIDS"]]//**
==== To become infected with AIDS, infected sexual fluids or blood must enter the body. Ordinary or physical contact such as hugging, dancing, or shaking hands will not infect the body. AIDS also cannot be transmitted through air, water, or insect bites. ====

Some transmissions include (all of these activities are done with an HIV infected partner):

 * ==== Unprotected Sex – having unprotected sex (having sex without condoms or any kind of protection). Male-to-male transmission increases the risk of being infected with HIV. ====
 * ==== Blood transfusions ====
 * ==== Sharing needles or syringes ====
 * ==== From infected mother to child during pregnancy, delivery, or breast-feeding ====
 * ==== Tattooing ====
 * ==== Blood-sharing activities ====
 * ==== Biting such as through bleeding gums or open sores in the mouth ====

Early Symptoms

 * ==== Headaches ====
 * ==== Fever ====
 * ==== Enlargement of lymph nodes in groin and neck region ====
 * ==== Extreme fatigue ====

Later Symptoms

 * ==== Night sweats and fever refusing to subside ====
 * ==== Rapid weight loss ====
 * ==== Unexplained exhaustion and fatigue ====
 * ==== Sires all over the body especially in the genitals, anus, and mouth ====
 * ==== Swollen lymph glands ====
 * ==== Diarrhea prolonging over time ====
 * ==== Pneumonia ====
 * ==== Purple, brown, red, or pink blotches that appear on or under skin ====
 * ==== Neurological disorders and depression ====

__Economics__
==== AIDS poses a great challenge to economic stability of businesses and communities. It caused industries to lose workers and businessmen, lowering industrial production. Individuals also spend a large portion of their profits on heath care for AIDS related illnesses, causing most families with AIDS to live in debt for they are spending more money per month than they are earning. Families with AIDS mostly have a lower income than an ordinary, healthy family. Predictions were made that the government�s budgets for health care will soon become overwhelmed by the costs of AIDS treatments, which will cause the government to have not enough funding for other necessary medical treatments with high expenses for just AIDS. ====

//** Treatment **//
==== With modern medical developments and technology, there is no cure for AIDS. However, medication is constantly being developed to help to fight HIV and its complications by reducing HIV in the body. This will result to strengthen the immune system and decrease complications that might have developed. Three factors are considered by doctors before designing a treatment: the individual’s willingness and readiness to begin therapy, stage of the disease, and other health problems. ====

Drug Treatments include five different medication types:
==== Even though these medications help to fight off HIV infection, there are side effects to these drugs. Some side effects include: fever, rash, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, discomfort, loss of appetite, respiratory symptoms, nausea, bloating, pancreatitis, peripheral neuropathy, coughing, dizziness, headaches, mild stomach cramps or pain, trouble sleeping, chills, throat problems, muscle aches, pale skin, liver or kidney failure, pneumonia, diabetes, and etc. ====
 * ==== NRTI (Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors) – interrupt virus from duplicating ====
 * ==== PI (Protease Inhibitors) – interrupt virus replications at a later step in the virus life cycle ====
 * ==== Fusion Inhibitors – prevent virus from fusing with inside of a cell, preventing replication ====
 * ==== HAART (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy) – slows down the rate of HIV replications and the spread of HIV ====
 * ==== NNRTI (Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors) – block the infections new cells by HIV ====

__General Care__

 * ==== Sympathetic attitude, family and public support needed ====
 * ==== Take adequate rest and diet rich in proteins and vitamins ====
 * ==== Do not donate blood or organs ====
 * ==== Use of condom during sexual intercourse ====
 * ==== Give up unhealthy habits (ex. smoking, alcohol, or use of illegal drugs) ====
 * ==== Drink boiled water ====
 * ==== Regular exercise or yoga ====

//**Prevention**//

__Public__

 * ==== Safe Sex: abstinence from sexual content, mutual monogamy, correct use of latex condoms for all sexual intercourse, and sex with a HIV free partner ====
 * ==== Injection Precautions: no sharing needles or other paraphernalia, and use bleach to clean needles if sterile needles are not available ====
 * ==== Safe Blood: Judicious use of blood, and use only pretested HIV free blood or blood product ====
 * ==== Safe Motherhood: be sure to be HIV free before marriage or pregnancy ====
 * ==== Razor and Blade Precaution: never share razors or blades, and ask a barber to use properly cleansed razor or new blade during a haircut ====
 * ==== Increase awareness about AIDS/HIV: education directed at teenagers ====
 * ==== Avoid use of illegal drugs ====

__Agencies/Programs__

 * ==== UNAIDS ====
 * ==== The Global Fund ====
 * ==== PREFAR ====
 * ==== UNICEF ====
 * ==== IMF ====
 * ==== NACA ====
 * ==== NGOs: Project HOPE ====