Difference between revisions of "AIDS" - New World Encyclopedia
| Line 11: | Line 11: | ||
When first infected, most people will not have any symptoms. Within a month or two, a flu-like illness may appear, accompanied by fever, headache, tiredness, and/or enlarged lymph nodes. Usually these symptoms disappear within a week to a month, but during this period infected people are highly contagious. | When first infected, most people will not have any symptoms. Within a month or two, a flu-like illness may appear, accompanied by fever, headache, tiredness, and/or enlarged lymph nodes. Usually these symptoms disappear within a week to a month, but during this period infected people are highly contagious. | ||
| − | HIV infections reduce the number of CD4 positive T (CD4+T) cells. These cells are our body’s main defense against infections and, without treatment, HIV slowly destroys these T-cells. When the T-cell count falls below 200 cells per cubic millimeter of blood, an HIV infected person is said to have | + | In most cases, HIV infections reduce the number of CD4 positive T (CD4+T) cells. These cells are our body’s main defense against infections and, without treatment, HIV slowly destroys these T-cells. When the T-cell count falls below 200 cells per cubic millimeter of blood, an HIV infected person is said to have ‘contracted’ AIDS. In a healthy adult the T-cell count is usually 1,000 or more. |
Severe and persistent symptoms may not appear for more than 10 years. This “asymptomatic” period varies widely in duration between individuals. As complications begin to set in, the lymph nodes enlarge. This may last for more than three months and be accompanied with other symptoms including: loss of weight and energy, frequent fevers and sweats, persistent or frequent yeast infections, skin rashes, and short-term memory loss. (HIV Infection and AIDS: An Overview, 2005) | Severe and persistent symptoms may not appear for more than 10 years. This “asymptomatic” period varies widely in duration between individuals. As complications begin to set in, the lymph nodes enlarge. This may last for more than three months and be accompanied with other symptoms including: loss of weight and energy, frequent fevers and sweats, persistent or frequent yeast infections, skin rashes, and short-term memory loss. (HIV Infection and AIDS: An Overview, 2005) | ||
| Line 36: | Line 36: | ||
The most effective method for preventing HIV/AIDS requires a two pronged approach: strengthening moral values for the general population and targeting high risk groups (sex traffickers, drug uses and those likely to engage in non-marital sex) with barrier devices such as condoms. | The most effective method for preventing HIV/AIDS requires a two pronged approach: strengthening moral values for the general population and targeting high risk groups (sex traffickers, drug uses and those likely to engage in non-marital sex) with barrier devices such as condoms. | ||
| − | According to a | + | According to a report from the [[U.S. Agency for International Development]], there is only one country in the world that has substantially turned back the HIV/AIDS pandemic. |
:Uganda is the standout among countries that have effectively responded to HIV/AIDS under the guidance of national leadership in both the political and religious realms. Uganda has experienced the most significant decline in HIV prevalence of any country in the world. (Green, 2003) | :Uganda is the standout among countries that have effectively responded to HIV/AIDS under the guidance of national leadership in both the political and religious realms. Uganda has experienced the most significant decline in HIV prevalence of any country in the world. (Green, 2003) | ||
| − | Uganda’s model, developed indigenously, is called the “ABC model.” Here “A” stands for Abstinence, “B” for Be faithful, and “C” for Condoms (used correctly and consistently). Importantly, equal emphasis was not given to each component. Ugandans put the primary emphasis on “A” and “B,” all the while | + | Uganda’s model, developed indigenously, is called the “ABC model.” Here “A” stands for Abstinence, “B” for Be faithful, and “C” for Condoms (used correctly and consistently). Importantly, equal emphasis was not given to each component. Ugandans put the primary emphasis on “A” and “B,” all the while condom distribution continued through the Ministry of Health, under a “Policy of Silent Promotion” (Dyer, 2003). |
The Vatican and other religious groups oppose the use of condoms. Nonetheless, having a dual approach to HIV/AIDS prevention allows both the faith-based organizations and the medical community to work towards a common goal. This ABC model made it possible for the faith-based communities to be fully engaged in HIV/AIDS prevention without violating their theologies. Religions groups focused on “A” and “B” while health care professionals focused on “C.” Both benefited from this specialization. | The Vatican and other religious groups oppose the use of condoms. Nonetheless, having a dual approach to HIV/AIDS prevention allows both the faith-based organizations and the medical community to work towards a common goal. This ABC model made it possible for the faith-based communities to be fully engaged in HIV/AIDS prevention without violating their theologies. Religions groups focused on “A” and “B” while health care professionals focused on “C.” Both benefited from this specialization. | ||
Revision as of 22:08, 24 January 2006
AIDS is an acronym for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. It is thought to have originated in sub-Saharan Africa during the twentieth century and is now a global pandemic. AIDS is a collection of symptoms and opportunistic infections resulting from the depletion of the immune system caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus or HIV.
The virus that causes AIDS is transmitted through sexual relationships, by sharing contaminated needles, through blood transfusions, mishandling contaminated blood as well as during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding. But, primarily HIV is transmitted through sexual relationships with an infected partner. Therefore, HIV/AIDS is both a medical and a moral concern. Effective prevention strategies need to take into account both dimensions of the disease.
Early symptoms HIV
When first infected, most people will not have any symptoms. Within a month or two, a flu-like illness may appear, accompanied by fever, headache, tiredness, and/or enlarged lymph nodes. Usually these symptoms disappear within a week to a month, but during this period infected people are highly contagious.
In most cases, HIV infections reduce the number of CD4 positive T (CD4+T) cells. These cells are our body’s main defense against infections and, without treatment, HIV slowly destroys these T-cells. When the T-cell count falls below 200 cells per cubic millimeter of blood, an HIV infected person is said to have ‘contracted’ AIDS. In a healthy adult the T-cell count is usually 1,000 or more.
Severe and persistent symptoms may not appear for more than 10 years. This “asymptomatic” period varies widely in duration between individuals. As complications begin to set in, the lymph nodes enlarge. This may last for more than three months and be accompanied with other symptoms including: loss of weight and energy, frequent fevers and sweats, persistent or frequent yeast infections, skin rashes, and short-term memory loss. (HIV Infection and AIDS: An Overview, 2005)
AIDS symptoms
In people living with AIDS (PLWA), the immune system is so ravaged by HIV, that the body can no longer defend itself. Bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites and other opportunistic infections go almost unchecked. Common symptoms in PLWA include:
- Coughing and shortness of breath
- Seizures and lack of coordination
- Mental confusion and forgetfulness
- Persistent diarrhea
- Fever
- Vision loss
- Nausea and vomiting
- Weight loss and extreme fatigue
- Severe headaches
- Coma
Many PLWA become debilitated and cannot hold a job or do work at home. However, a small number of people infected with HIV never develop AIDS. They are being studied by scientists to determine why, although they have HIV, their infection has not progressed into AIDS. (HIV Infection and AIDS: An Overview, 2005)
Prevention
As with all diseases, prevention is better than cure. This is all the more true for HIV/AIDS because, although treatments exist that will slow the progression from HIV to AIDS, there is currently no known cure or vaccine.
The most effective method for preventing HIV/AIDS requires a two pronged approach: strengthening moral values for the general population and targeting high risk groups (sex traffickers, drug uses and those likely to engage in non-marital sex) with barrier devices such as condoms.
According to a report from the U.S. Agency for International Development, there is only one country in the world that has substantially turned back the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
- Uganda is the standout among countries that have effectively responded to HIV/AIDS under the guidance of national leadership in both the political and religious realms. Uganda has experienced the most significant decline in HIV prevalence of any country in the world. (Green, 2003)
Uganda’s model, developed indigenously, is called the “ABC model.” Here “A” stands for Abstinence, “B” for Be faithful, and “C” for Condoms (used correctly and consistently). Importantly, equal emphasis was not given to each component. Ugandans put the primary emphasis on “A” and “B,” all the while condom distribution continued through the Ministry of Health, under a “Policy of Silent Promotion” (Dyer, 2003).
The Vatican and other religious groups oppose the use of condoms. Nonetheless, having a dual approach to HIV/AIDS prevention allows both the faith-based organizations and the medical community to work towards a common goal. This ABC model made it possible for the faith-based communities to be fully engaged in HIV/AIDS prevention without violating their theologies. Religions groups focused on “A” and “B” while health care professionals focused on “C.” Both benefited from this specialization.
Religious communities have vast networks that reach into the most rural areas, they can be powerful agents for behavioral and social change, they have resources to mobilize large numbers of volunteers, and they have experience in health care and education. Their full participation in HIV/AIDS prevention was essential in Uganda’s success.
It was important that the condom message be specifically targeted and not mass marketed. Separating “A” and “B” from “C” helped the condom message be “very effective” (Green, et al., 2005) in high-risk groups. By having a well-defined small target, condom use could be more effectively monitored, including the needed education and training. Importantly, this small focus did not undermine the message to the general population that human sexuality should be an exclusive act of marriage.
Uganda’s model has been heavily scrutinized and well documented. In a generalized heterosexual population HIV prevalence declined nearly 70 percent since the early 1990s. Importantly, it was accompanied with a 60 percent reduction in casual sex. The decline of HIV prevalence in 15- to 19-year-olds was 75 percent and was seen as a key to Uganda’s success. The annual cost was $1 per person aged 15 and above. If this ABC program been implemented throughout sub-Saharan Africa by 1996, it is estimated that there would be 6 million fewer persons infected with HIV and 4 million fewer children would have been orphaned (Green, et al., 2005).
Thailand is seen as an example of a successful mass marketing strategy. Starting in the early 1990s, the Thai government implemented a tough policy which mandated condom use for all commercial sex workers. However, there was another behavior change working in tandem with the strong push from the government. The decline in HIV/AIDS in Thailand has two contributing factors: increased condom usage and the reduction in the number of sex partners. There was “a 60% decline in visits to sex workers” and “the proportion of men reporting casual sex during the past 12 months declined 46 percent, from 28 percent in 1990 to 15 percent in 1993.” (Green, et al., 2005)
Mother to child transmission
There is a 15–30% risk of transmission of HIV from mother to child during pregnancy, labor and delivery. A number of factors influence the risk of infection, particularly the viral load of the mother at birth (the higher the load, the higher the risk). Breastfeeding increases the risk of transmission by 10–15%. This risk depends on clinical factors and may vary according to the pattern and duration of breastfeeding.
Studies have shown that antiretroviral drugs, cesarean delivery and formula feeding reduce the chance of transmission of HIV from mother to child. (Sperlin et al., 1996)
When replacement feeding is acceptable, feasible, affordable, sustainable and safe, HIV-infected mothers are recommended to avoid breast feeding their infant. Otherwise, exclusive breastfeeding is recommended during the first months of life and should be discontinued as soon as possible. [2]
Treatment
There is currently no cure or vaccine for HIV or AIDS.
The optimal treatment consists of a combination ("cocktail") consisting of at least three drugs belonging to at least two types, or "classes," of anti-retroviral agents. Typical regimens consist of two nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) plus either a protease inhibitor or a non nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). This treatment is frequently referred to as HAART (highly-active anti-retroviral therapy). [3]
Anti-retroviral treatments, along with medications intended to prevent AIDS-related opportunistic infections, have played a part in delaying complications associated with AIDS, reducing the symptoms of HIV infection, and extending patients' life spans. Over the past decade the success of these treatments in prolonging and improving the quality of life for people with AIDS has improved dramatically.
Side effects
HAART is beneficial. But there are side effects, some severe, associated with the use of antiviral drugs. Especially when taken in the later stages of the disease, some of the nucleoside RT inhibitors may cause a decrease of red or white blood cells. Some may also cause inflammation of the pancreas and painful nerve damage. There have been reports of complications and other severe reactions, including death, to some of the antiretroviral nucleoside analogs when used alone or in combination. Therefore, health care experts recommend that you be routinely seen and followed by your health care provider if you are on antiretroviral therapy.
The most common side effects associated with protease inhibitors include nausea, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal symptoms. In addition, protease inhibitors can interact with other drugs resulting in serious side effects. Fuzeon may also cause severe allergic reactions such as pneumonia, trouble breathing, chills and fever, skin rash, blood in urine, vomiting, and low blood pressure. Local skin reactions are also possible since it is given as an injection underneath the skin.
If you are taking HIV drugs, you should contact your health care provider immediately if you have any of these symptoms.
Template:AIDS
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
Because of their length, the list of references used in developing this article are at AIDS/references
- Dyer, Emilie. (2003). And Banana Trees Provided the Shade. Kampala, Uganda: Ugandan AIDS Commission.
- Green, Edward C. (2003). Faith-Based Organizations: Contributions to HIV Prevention. Washington, DC: U.S. Agency for International Development, The Synergy Project.
- Green, Edward C., Rand L. Stoneburner, Daniel Low-Beer, Norman Hearst and Sanny Chen. (2005). Evidence That Demands Action: Comparing Risk Avoidance and Risk Reduction Strategies for HIV Prevention. Austin, TX: The Medical Institute.
- HIV Infection and AIDS: An Overview. (2005, March). Washington, DC: Courtesy: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Retrieved Jan. 24, 2006, from http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/hivinf.htm.
External links
- AIDS.ORG AIDS.ORG: Educating - Raising HIV Awareness - Building Community
- AIDSinfo 2002 The Glossary of HIV/AIDS-Related Terms 4th Edition
- AIDSmeds.com 2005 AIDSmeds.com: Comprehensive lessons on HIV/AIDS and their treatments
- Center for Disease Control (2005). Divisions of HIV/AIDS Prevention
- Health Action AIDS 2003 HIV Transmission in the Medical Setting
- NIAID/NIH 2003 Basic Information About AIDS and HIV
- NIAID/NIH 2003 Evidence That HIV causes AIDS
- NIAID/NIH 2004 How HIV Causes AIDS
- The Body 2005 The Body: The Complete HIV/AIDS Resource
- UNAIDS 2005 The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS
- Journal Watch 2005 AIDS Clinical Care
- UNAIDS Scenarios to 2025 Document regarding three scenarios for HIV/AIDS in Africa for the year 2025 (Large PDF file)
ar:متلازمة نقص المناعة المكتسب bg:СПИН bm:Sida bs:AIDS ca:SIDA cs:AIDS da:Aids de:Aids als:AIDS es:SIDA eo:Aidoso fa:ایدز fr:Syndrome d'immunodéficience acquise ko:에이즈 hi:एड्स he:איידס ku:AIDS lv:AIDS lt:AIDS hu:AIDS ms:AIDS nl:Aids ja:後天性免疫不全症候群 no:AIDS nn:HIV/AIDS pl:Zespół nabytego niedoboru odporności pt:Síndrome da imuno-deficiência adquirida qu:SIDA ru:СПИД sk:AIDS fi:AIDS sv:AIDS ta:எய்ட்ஸ் vi:AIDS tr:AIDS uk:СНІД zh:艾滋病 simple:AIDS
Credits
New World Encyclopedia writers and editors rewrote and completed the Wikipedia article in accordance with New World Encyclopedia standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit is due under the terms of this license that can reference both the New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list of acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions by wikipedians is accessible to researchers here:
The history of this article since it was imported to New World Encyclopedia:
Note: Some restrictions may apply to use of individual images which are separately licensed.
