HIV symptoms in women: routes of transmission, stages of the disease and their signs. The first symptoms of AIDS in the initial stage in women

The woman has physiological reasons more likely to acquire HIV infection. However, not everyone learns about the disease immediately, so it may be impossible to monitor the development of HIV and begin timely treatment.

Left untreated, it leads to AIDS, a deadly immune deficiency syndrome. AIDS symptoms in women may appear years after infection, and their occurrence must be avoided by all means.

Brief characteristics of AIDS

AIDS is a consequence of HIV infection, its last and most scary stage. The virus gradually destroys the immune system and brings the number of lymphocytes to the lower level - 200 cells per 1 milliliter of blood (at normal - 500-1500 cells). The body loses the ability to recognize and resist diseases.

The main signs of AIDS in women are the occurrence of various diseases. Moreover It is not AIDS itself that causes death, but accompanying illnesses . Even a cold can be a ticket to the next world. Even if you manage to save yourself from the flu, the number of lymphocytes continues to approach zero. This causes more dangerous diseases to develop: malignant tumors, pneumonia, tuberculosis and others.

AIDS: signs of the disease

To avoid last stage HIV, it is necessary to monitor the course of the disease and begin treatment at the first signs of the development of AIDS.

Symptoms of approaching AIDS in women - the development of thrush (candida infection) in oral cavity and in the vagina. At the same time, chronic or newly acquired diseases of the genitourinary system and sexually transmitted diseases become more pronounced.

Weight is reduced by more than 10%. Observed prolonged diarrhea and fever (more than 1 month). There may be pneumonia and tuberculosis. All patients had enlarged lymph nodes (lymphadenosis).

With a further decrease in immunity, the first signs of AIDS in women appear:

• recurrent pneumonia (Pneumocystis and others);
• central nervous system diseases, dementia;
• candidiasis and other gastrointestinal diseases;
• damage to organs by cytomegalovirus (papilloma virus);
• frequent herpes rashes on the mucous and skin surfaces of the body;
• mycobacteriosis and tuberculosis;
• lymphoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, cervical cancer and other malignant oncological diseases;
• HIV encephalopathy.

Other diseases that are not dangerous for healthy people often appear, each of which can lead to death. People diagnosed with AIDS practically never get out of bed and live no more than 2-3 years due to concomitant diseases.

Signs of AIDS in girls

Symptoms of AIDS in girls can only appear if they become infected with HIV in infancy from their mother.

In other cases, a girl may become HIV positive and for a long time live with normal activity without any special symptoms, since this virus belongs to the genus of slow-acting retroviruses.

The final stage of HIV in girls occurs in the same way as AIDS manifests itself in older women.

Diagnosis of the disease

To avoid the onset of AIDS symptoms, women should regularly every 6 months, donate blood per number of cells immune system and viral load.

The diagnosis of “AIDS” is assigned in accordance with the classification of stages of HIV infection:

• antibodies to HIV decrease significantly in volume;
• the HIV test may be negative due to the seronegative window;
• the number of immune system cells is 200 or lower;

Knowing how to recognize the onset of AIDS can help prolong your life. An infectious disease doctor prescribes antiretroviral treatment, which suppresses the activity of the virus and delays the last stage of HIV infection. Timely therapy can increase life expectancy by 10-15 years or more.

Symptoms in women infected with HIV are quite varied. Sometimes they can be detected as a result of the direct effect of infection on the cells of the whole body. Otherwise, HIV symptoms in women they manifest themselves in diseases the development of which is determined by microbes against the background of suppressed immunity.

A person can lead a normal life and not realize that a fatal disease is developing inside him. It is she who is able to exist in the body completely unnoticed. The period of development of HIV disease can last up to 12 years. Medical practice knows cases when damage to the human immune system occurs many years after infection.

Sometimes visible signs appear: a slight enlargement of the lymph nodes in the groin, neck, and armpits. However, this fact may indicate many diseases.

After visiting a doctor, the patient is prescribed an examination, which includes an HIV test.

After infection, a person’s immunity begins to gradually weaken, resulting in AIDS. And since the protective systems do not perform their functions, the patient can die even from a simple illness. In addition, the patient constantly experiences complications from all diseases.

There are not many causes of HIV infection. Let's look at the main routes of infection.

During sexual intercourse without protection

This route of transmission of the virus from an HIV-infected partner comes first. In this case, there is direct contact with liquids in which the virus lives. The largest amount is found in the blood and seminal plasma. During sex, a woman's risk of infection increases greatly if her sexual partner has a clear immunodeficiency.

However, it is difficult to say about the likelihood of infection after sexual intercourse with a sick person. There are some factors here, such as the type of sex. Medical practice has shown that if a woman has had sexual contact with a patient who is undergoing treatment, following all the rules, she has a small risk of contracting HIV infection.

There are situations when sex occurs between a large number of partners over a long period of time. At the same time, they exchange biological fluids. In this case, there is a high risk that one of them may be infected, and this is very dangerous.

Sharing syringes and needles

Very in a dangerous way infection is caused by the use of shared injection equipment. The most common way of acquiring HIV among people who inject drugs. The fact is that a lot of blood remains on such shared utensils after an injection.

Transmission of the virus through blood

IN last years Globally, the number of people infected with HIV through blood transfusions has decreased significantly. However, this route is still included in the list of infection risks. Today, donated blood is carefully checked using modern methods, which are able to detect the virus in the blood at the earliest stage of infection.

In addition, the following persons are not allowed to donate blood: active injection drug users, constantly changing sexual partners, persons from countries where HIV infection is widespread. Also, this list includes individuals who are at risk of infection due to their lifestyle.

There are other ways of transmitting the virus, but they are rare. For example, contact of infected blood with an open wound or mucous membrane of a healthy person. The infection does not spread with a kiss, however, in medical practice there was still one case. HIV is not transmitted through saliva, but cuts in the mouth can cause infection through the blood.

Stages of the disease and their symptoms

HIV infections have several stages of development. HIV symptoms in women at different stages are characterized differently:

1. Incubation period. At this stage, the virus develops within 1-3 months, but its duration can last up to one year. During this period, the HIV pathogen goes through its life cycle in the human body, growing to a quantity capable of exhibiting symptoms. At this stage of development, the virus does not affect human immunity.
2. Primary symptoms of HIV infection. During this stage, the patient's antibodies begin to function and fight the pathogen. After incubation period Most patients may experience the first signs of HIV: enlarged lymph nodes, weak body resistance to infectious diseases, disruptions in the gastrointestinal tract. There are times when this stage may last at least 10 years.
3. Hidden stage . When the virus begins to destroy immune cells in a woman’s body, some immune system mechanisms come to the rescue and help renew the composition of these cells. During this stage, no manifestations of the disease may be noticed. HIV infection can only be detected by serological tests. In some cases, patients experience a slight increase in single lymph nodes. The latent stage lasts about three years, and very rarely from 10 to 20 years.
4. Stage of addition of secondary diseases. The body has exhausted all its strength and is no longer able to continue the fight against the virus. During this period, the woman’s body is susceptible to the development of various infectious diseases And malignant tumors.
5. AIDS. At this stage, all organs and systems of the body are already seriously affected.

How is diagnostics carried out?

The most reliable way to detect HIV infection is laboratory tests. The most popular of them is ELISA. By using this method antibodies to the virus can be detected in the patient’s blood.

However, test results can be both false negative and false positive. In case of receiving positive analysis ELISA, doctor prescribes additional research a more radical method.

The PCR (polymerase chain reaction) method can detect the presence of the virus itself and determine its amount circulating in the bloodstream. With PCR, it is also possible to obtain a false-positive analysis. In this case, they resort to other diagnostic tools to clarify the disease.

After determining the exact diagnosis of the infected patient, his research continues. Now we need to determine the properties of the development of the disease, and how affected the patient’s immune system is. The degree of immunity damage is indicated in a special column.

Symptoms of HIV in women in the early stages and during pregnancy

The main signs of HIV infection in women may be slight enlargement of the lymph nodes in the groin part of the body, menstruation with severe pain, a large number of secreted mucus, irritability, constant headaches, etc.

Of course, such symptoms of HIV in women are early stages can be mistaken for fatigue. However, if you are in this condition long time, then you should go to a specialist and undergo a special examination.

First symptoms

During the first stage of infection, signs of HIV can appear in any system of the body in both women and men. At this moment, you can pay attention to an unexpected increase in body temperature to 40 degrees, which lasts for 2 to 10 days.

The first signs of the disease also appear in the form of headache, cough, sweating and other catarrhal phenomena, which are especially observed at night. Also, the lymph nodes in the back of the head, in the back of the neck, and then in the inguinal and axillary areas become enlarged.

Some people infected with HIV may experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and anorexia. By nature, many women are prone to various diseases of the genitourinary system. At the same time, their immune system malfunctions, which significantly increases the risk of infection.

Such symptoms may not always appear in women, so they may not even know for a long time that the infection lives in their body. However, this ignorance about the virus will not protect the patient from all the consequences of the disease.

Differences and similarities between symptoms in women and men

The manifestations of signs of HIV infection in women and men have some differences. So, in the female half, they stand out more clearly, so it is easier to determine the disease. In addition, HIV-infected women have more varied clinical symptoms.

Typically, women are more attentive to their health than men. If there are any problems in their body, they consult a doctor who can detect HIV at the beginning of its development. Thus, the fair sex often suffers from diseases associated with the genitourinary system.

As a result, thrush or other women's diseases which often become chronic. They are accompanied by such unpleasant symptoms like itching and redness, specific secretions with mucus from the vagina, the appearance of pustules, bleeding wounds and erosions on the vaginal mucosa.

Of course, if such symptoms appear, you should definitely visit a doctor. Most often, these signs characterize the obviousness of other diseases, but the doctor also prescribes testing for HIV infection. This makes it possible to identify the virus (if present) at an early stage and thus begin timely treatment.

It is worth noting that both women and men generally have similar signs of infection. Thus, symptoms of HIV in women in the early stages, just like in men, manifest themselves nonspecifically in diseases of certain organs and systems of the body.

Also, to general symptoms infections may include frequent cough, intestinal upset, nausea and vomiting, rapid weight loss, various skin rashes. Also, men and women often experience insomnia, depression, memory loss, swelling of the limbs and other unpleasant symptoms during this period.

Symptoms of the latent stage

During the latent stage HIV infection there is a gradual decrease in immunity. At the same time, some immune cells die, and new ones begin to grow rapidly to compensate for their deficiency. During this period, the diagnosis of this infectious disease can be determined using a serological reaction.

Among the clinical symptoms of HIV during the latent stage, growth of unconnected lymph nodes is noted. At the same time, there is no pain or tissue changes in this area. But the lymph nodes in the groin area do not undergo pathological changes. The latent stage can last on average 6-7 years, but can last more than 20 years.

HIV and pregnancy

During pregnancy, women are required to take an HIV test. However, no one prescribes a forced examination, so any pregnant woman can refuse this procedure. However, the doctor recommends undergoing an HIV test in order to begin treatment in a timely manner if the diagnosis is poor. In this case, there is a chance not only for the birth of a healthy baby, but also for your life.

The virus is transmitted from a pregnant woman to her fetus most often in the third trimester, during childbirth or lactation. The mother's inaction can lead to disastrous consequences: almost 30-50% chance of the child becoming infected. The risk becomes even higher if the woman has been infected before or during pregnancy.

A pregnant woman with late stage HIV poses a particular danger to the child. During this period, the blood contains a particularly large amount of virus, and the immune system is weakened. It is better to identify HIV symptoms in women in the early stages. Pregnant women should pay attention to preventive measures. In this case, the risk of infection of the child can be reduced to 2%.

What are the symptoms of HIV-infected women in the second and third stages?

This infection can behave quietly and unnoticed in the body for a long time. An insidious viral disease may not be felt for many years, and then it instantly destroys the immune system. To successfully fight HIV infection, you should be able to distinguish its first symptoms.

It is easier for women to identify the disease, since its symptoms are more pronounced than in men. Early diagnosis is important for timely treatment. In addition, the carrier of the virus can infect other people without even realizing it. Over the course of many years, the disease destroys immune cells. As a result, the common disease can be fatal.

Main symptoms of HIV infection in women

Women are more attentive to various changes in the body. It is worth noting that the signs of HIV have their own characteristics. Women are much more likely to have problems with fat changes than men. They clearly feel the accumulation of fat in the chest and hips.

Also, the body of the fair sex is more prone to fatigue and headaches, which are equated to signs of many diseases. And complaints of pain in the pelvic area or abdominal cavity can be classified as common women's problems.

Now let's look at what symptoms HIV-infected women have:

• Increase in body temperature from 38 to 40 degrees. At the same time, it can last up to three days.
• Fatigue and loss of strength, which can be both short-term and long-term.
• Frequent diseases of the genitourinary system, which can affect a decrease in immunity, which may indicate the existence of a virus.

TO psychological symptoms infected women may experience insomnia, anxiety, depression, etc. Physical signs of a viral disease: nausea, turning into vomiting, loose stools, pain, cough, various skin rashes, loss of subcutaneous fat or, conversely, its accumulation.

Second phase

This stage of HIV infection, which can last for many years, is asymptomatic. At this time, the woman, unaware of terrible disease, lives his ordinary life. Almost nothing worries her: neither elevated body temperature, nor other suspicious phenomena.

In some cases, infected patients notice some skin changes, as well as problems with nails and hair. Small pimples may appear on the back and face, hair begins to noticeably fall out, and nails often break. Typically, women try to cope with such problems on their own and do not consult a doctor.

Lymphadenopathy is often observed. The patient can remain in this condition for about 8 years. In this case, rarely does anyone apply for medical care. It is believed that the most dangerous stage is precisely when early infection. Without knowing that he is infected, a person can infect other people. However, most often the virus enters the body through sexual contact. Typically, HIV infection is discovered by chance, during a routine medical examination or any ongoing illness.

The third stage and its symptoms

This stage of infection in women, as well as in men, is quite complex, so it is considered as separate phases of development. In this case, it is possible to more accurately determine the symptoms and consequences of the disease.

The patient begins to lose weight. At the same time, he loses weight, which is only about 10% of his body weight. During this phase, the skin and mucous membranes may be affected by various harmful microorganisms. As a result, this can lead to the development of diseases such as pharyngitis, herpes, sinusitis, etc.

The next phase of the third stage can be characterized by a sharp loss of weight of the patient. He may experience prolonged diarrhea, which can last for one month. At the same time, the patient cannot understand such actions of his gastrointestinal tract. Also, infection with other diseases during this phase is very dangerous. In this case, the virus present in the body can initiate heavy defeat skin and all internal organs.

At the end of the third stage, the infected person develops pneumonia. Candidiasis begins its destructive actions internal organs and primarily the digestive system. Also, the central nervous system, lungs. Pathogenic organisms activate the development of purulent acne and ulcers on skin, as well as tumors. Ends this phase the fact that the patient is diagnosed with AIDS.

I would like to clarify that all the above-described signs of HIV infection do not always appear in the third stage. Very often the disease develops asymptomatically, and people do not take some signs seriously. His immune system, which has not yet entered the latent stage, is still fighting the viral disease on its own, so the patient does not feel any special changes occurring in his body.

HIV infection is one of the most dangerous in the world. It attacks the immune system, gradually spreading and multiplying the virus. It may not manifest itself for a long time, but the higher the viral load becomes, the more the body suffers. All this leads to AIDS, manifested by certain symptoms. AIDS develops in women in almost the same way as in men. This disease is fatal in just a few years. This usually lasts 3-5 years, and AIDS symptoms in women go through different stages of development during this time.

Typically, the course of the disease is divided into several stages:

• HIV incubation period;
• manifestation of the first signs;
• addition of a secondary disease;
• AIDS.

A varying amount of time may pass from the first to the last stage. It all depends on the person’s immune system, viral load and possible treatment. Sometimes there are cases where the disease progresses very quickly, but sometimes it happens quite the opposite and symptoms may not appear for decades.

Manifestation of primary symptoms

When infected with HIV, the virus takes some time to multiply. Therefore, it can be detected not immediately after infection, but after several weeks or months. On average, this period takes from 5 weeks to 3 months. After the required number of viral cells are in the body, the first symptoms begin to appear. They are usually similar to cold symptoms. Among them:

• heat;
• enlargement of the submandibular lymph nodes;
• fatigue;
• muscle soreness;
• catarrhal phenomena.

Possible manifestations of a runny nose, lack of appetite, headache. Therefore, it is not surprising that many women perceive these signs as ARVI. In the future, these symptoms gradually disappear, but enlarged lymph nodes may remain.

In some cases, symptoms may not appear at all, which is why this stage is called asymptomatic. Why this happens, doctors cannot give an exact answer. After the first manifestations of infection, the symptoms go away, but the virus continues to live in the body and multiply. Sometimes this stage takes several years and the immunodeficiency progresses without symptomatic manifestations.

Features of symptoms in women

In addition to the main primary manifestations, girls have some special ones. They are expressed in heavy sweating at night, elevated temperature without other manifestations. Also, in addition to the submandibular lymph nodes, the lymph nodes in the armpits are enlarged, in groin area and on the back of the head.

Some women suffer from lack of appetite, even to the point of anorexia, and may experience vomiting or nausea. If manifestations come from the respiratory system, then a cough appears. It will be too intense and may cause suffocation.

Damage to the nervous system is expressed general weakness, drowsiness, vomiting. Some may experience frequent headaches and a stiff neck. Signs of disease may occur through the genitourinary system. In this case, the lymph nodes in the groin area become enlarged, menstruation becomes painful, and strange discharge may occur between them. There is pain in the pelvic area, redness of the genitals or the appearance of ulcers and pustules on them.

All these signs of HIV are not specific. Therefore, they do not appear in all women. But if they recur, it is necessary to undergo examination.

The first signs of AIDS

After they finish primary signs HIV, women may experience low-grade fever. It lasts for a long time, but you may not notice it. But how does AIDS manifest itself and what are its symptoms?

Usually one of its first symptoms is scratches and cuts that take a long time to heal. They bleed for a long time, can fester and do not respond to conventional treatment. In the future, AIDS can manifest itself in such diseases that are secondary and weaken the body:

• pulmonary;
• intestinal;
• skin lesions;
• defeat of the NS.

These forms of diseases significantly undermine health and have a complex course. Usually the patient lives no more than 2-3 years and this stage ends with death.

Pulmonary form

The woman may develop pneumonia. It will occur in a very severe form, will not respond to treatment and will have a very strong impact on respiratory system. Because of this, she coughs a lot, has attacks of suffocation, her lungs cannot supply the body with enough oxygen, which affects all organs and systems. Therefore, there are observed frequent dizziness, nausea from intoxication of the body. Pneumonia does not want to be treated, gradually taking over the lungs and complicating the condition.

Intestinal form

The patient appears intestinal disorders. They are expressed by vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain. This can cause severe dehydration. A woman cannot eat normally, so she begins to quickly lose weight, which leads to severe anorexia. The body from a lack of vitamins and useful substances that he received from food becomes worse. Nails, hair and skin suffer. The internal organs do not receive the required amount of glucose and the woman feels apathetic and very weak.

Skin lesions

Ulcers and irritation may appear on the skin. However, they can develop independently or due to minor cuts and scratches that do not want to heal. They do not go away and are constantly progressing. They can also transfer to mucous membranes and bleed. Gradually, all these ulcers and wounds become infected and begin to penetrate deeper, corroding the skin. Therefore, muscle tissue is often affected.

Defeat of the National Assembly

The nervous system reacts with memory deterioration and an apathetic state. The patient may begin to experience brain atrophy, complicated by the manifestation of meningitis or encephalitis. Epilepsy seizures and even all kinds of brain tumors are common. Dementia develops very quickly and soon the woman cannot think clearly at all, and her deteriorating health does not add relief to her family.

Special symptoms in women

AIDS hits genitourinary system. Therefore, it is not uncommon for severe forms of thrush to develop not only in the vagina, but also in the mouth. All present sexually transmitted infections also appear, becoming brighter and with more symptoms. Therefore, even dormant and harmless infections become real monsters that can make the patient’s life unbearable.

If a woman has cytomegalovirus in her body, then it begins to manifest itself by the growth of papillomas in the most different places. Herpes outbreaks often begin to appear on the skin and mucous membranes. Cervical cancer and other oncology of the reproductive system may appear. This negatively affects the body, which, without a functioning immune system, is unable to cope with even the simplest disease.

What to do if signs appear

If a woman notices a combination of problems in one of the body systems and they are more pronounced, it is necessary to take an HIV test. This can help identify the cause of diseases. If it is not there, then the woman will be able to calmly treat the emerging disease, paying enough attention to it.

If the result is positive, you should visit a doctor. You can’t put off visiting or feel embarrassed about your problem. After all, people with immunodeficiency do not live long, and they constantly suffer from various diseases. They undermine and so weak immunity and the person dies after 3-4 years. At the same time, they cannot enjoy life, since they spend all their time fighting the disease.

Today there are special drugs, which are capable of controlling HIV cells. Although these drugs cannot completely destroy all inactive cells, they make it possible to contain the disease and not lead to AIDS.

The doctor selects medications individually. Periodically, the patient will undergo a test that will help determine the viral load. This is necessary to monitor the effect of the drug. When necessary, it is replaced with another, more effective one. Thanks to antiretroviral therapy, patients are able to control the virus for as long as possible, prolonging their lives. Also, the doctor will definitely monitor and help fight opportunistic diseases.

HIV is an immunodeficiency virus that causes weakening protective properties body. Every human body has CD cells responsible for immunity. They are the ones who are affected by the virus when infected.

Today it is impossible to cure this disease. But pharmacology has already created drugs that stop the development of the virus in the body.

By taking these medications, the life expectancy of sick people can be increased to that of healthy people.

note! HIV is an insidious virus that can live in the human body and not manifest itself for many years.

You will not be able to diagnose the disease yourself. For diagnosis you will need to donate blood.

Every person must know the signs of this disease and how long it takes to appear primary symptoms so that if infection occurs, seek medical help in a timely manner and not worsen your health condition.

Immediately after infection, a person does not develop any symptoms. The first signs of infection appear after 2–3 weeks.

The first symptoms of HIV in men and women in the early stages:

1. Increased body temperature.
2. Headache.
3. The appearance of ulcers on the tongue and mouth.
4. Pain in the throat.
5. Joint pain.
6. Problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

The first symptoms are similar to ARVI.

Table: external symptoms in infected people in the early stages

Body temperature is most common during infection. It rises sharply to 38 degrees, and then remains at 37 degrees for 20–30 days.

After 1–2 months, the first signs disappear, and the disease enters the second stage, which has three subtypes:

1. The course of the disease without symptoms.
2. Acute form of the disease without secondary diseases.
3. Acute form, accompanied by secondary diseases.

In the first type there are no symptoms.

If a person has the second form of development of the disease, then he develops diseases that are very similar in symptoms to known infections.

Symptoms:

1. Abnormal stool.
2. Fast fatiguability.
3. Increased body temperature.
4. Redness of the throat.
5. Heavy sweating.
6. Vomit.
7. Loss of body weight.

Symptoms of HIV in women and girls manifest themselves in the form of candidiasis. This occurs due to suppressed immunity.

In the presence of acute type infections in humans, secondary diseases appear, signaling the presence of a virus in the body:

1. Angina.
2. Pneumonia.
3. Herpes of any type.
4. Psoriasis.

If the child is infected through vertical transmission of infection, that is, from mother to fetus, the first symptoms of the disease appear during the first year of the baby’s life.

If the infection occurred after the baby was born, then the manifestations of the first symptoms of the disease begin only after 5–10 years.

First signs in children:

1. Developmental delay.
2. Skin rashes.
3. Low hemoglobin level.
4. Problems in the functioning of the central nervous system.

Children with HIV are more likely to suffer from acute respiratory viral infections.

Main stages and stages of HIV

More than 30 years have passed since the discovery of the virus in human blood. During this time, the stages of development of the disease changed.

But today infectious disease specialists identify 5 main stages of disease development:

Important! It is worth remembering that the fewer CD cells in the human body, the slower the virus will develop.

This is due to the fact that the infection attacks healthy cells, replacing them with infected ones.

To treat HIV, antiretroviral drugs are used that can inhibit the virus, reduce the viral load and provoke an increase in CD cells.

Treatments include nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, protease inhibitors, and non-nucleoside inhibitors. Treatment begins when the CD cell count drops below 350.

The drugs should be taken for life. If you stop taking the pills, the virus will develop resistance to the medicine. Because of this, the viral load (the amount of virus in the blood) increases.

How dangerous is HIV?

HIV suppresses the immune system, so if you do not start taking antiretroviral drugs in time, the disease will develop into AIDS and end in the death of the person.

HIV is dangerous and terrible disease, but its occurrence can be prevented by knowing how the infection is transmitted:

• Unprotected sexual intercourse.
• Vertical transmission from mother to child through the placenta or during childbirth.
• Through breast milk.
• Through blood transfusion.

Remember, if you take an HIV test and it turns out to be positive, then don’t panic.

Contact an infectious disease specialist for advice. IN medical institution You will need to be tested for CD cells and viral load.

HIV is not a death sentence, This new way life, which anyone can adapt to if they wish.

Useful video

Related Posts

HIV is an acronym that stands for human immunodeficiency virus, which attacks the human immune system, causing HIV infection.

The last stage of HIV infection is AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).

HIV infection and AIDS: what is the fundamental difference between these two conditions?

HIV infection
Incurable infectious disease. It belongs to the group of slow viral infections with a long-term course that affects the immune system.

That is, the virus, having entered the body of a healthy person from a sick person, may not manifest itself in any way for many years.

However, HIV gradually destroys the cells of the immune system, which is designed to protect the human body from all kinds of infections and negative influences.
Therefore, over time, the immune system “loses its ground.”

AIDS
A condition in which the human immune system is practically unable to fight infections or resist the development of cancer cells and various harmful factors environment. At this stage, any infection, even the most harmless one, can lead to the development of a serious illness, and subsequently the death of the patient from complications, encephalitis or a tumor.

Facts about the disease

Perhaps now there is not a single adult who has never heard of HIV infection. It’s not for nothing that it’s called the “plague of the 20th century.” And even in the 11th century it moves forward by leaps and bounds, killing about 5,000 people every day. human lives worldwide. Although, As a disease, HIV has a not so long history.

It is believed that HIV infection began its “triumphant march” across the planet back in the 70s of the last century, when the first mass cases of infection with symptoms similar to AIDS were described.

However, they started talking about HIV infection officially only in the early 80s of the last century:

• In 1981, two articles were published that described the development of an unusual pneumocystis pneumonia (caused by a yeast-like fungus) and Kaposi's sarcoma (a malignant skin tumor) in homosexual men.
• In July 1982, the term “AIDS” was coined to describe the new disease.
• The human immunodeficiency virus was discovered in 1983 simultaneously in two independent laboratories:
  • In France at the Institute. Louis Pasteur under the direction of Luc Montagnier
  • In the USA at the National Cancer Institute under the leadership of Gallo Robert
• In 1985, a technique was developed that determined the presence of antibodies to HIV in the blood of patients - an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
• In 1987, the first case of HIV infection in the USSR was diagnosed. The patient is a homosexual man who worked as a translator in African countries.
• In 1988, the World Health Organization declared International AIDS Day on December 1st.

A little history

Where did HIV come from? There is no clear answer to this question. However, there are several hypotheses.

The most common theory is that man became infected from a monkey. It is based on the fact that in apes (chimpanzees) living in Central Africa (Congo), a virus was isolated from the blood that can cause the development of AIDS in humans. It is likely that human infection occurred through accidental injury during butchering of a monkey carcass or a human being bitten by a monkey.

However, monkey HIV is a weak virus and the human body copes with it within one week. But for the virus to harm the immune system, it must be transmitted from one person to another within a short time. Then the virus mutates (changes), acquiring properties characteristic of human HIV.

There is also an assumption that HIV existed for a long time among the tribes of Central Africa. However, it was only with the onset of increased migration in the 20th century that the virus spread throughout the world.

Statistics

Every year, a huge number of people around the world become infected with HIV.

Number of HIV-infected people

• Worldwide as of 01/01/2013 amounted to 35.3 million people
• In Russia at the end of 2013 - about 780,000 people, with 51,190 thousand identified between 01/01/13 and 08/31/13
• By CIS countries(data as of the end of 2013):
  • Ukraine - about 350,000
  • Kazakhstan - about 16,000
  • Belarus - 15,711
  • Moldova - 7,800
  • Georgia - 4,094
  • Armenia - 3,500
  • Tajikistan - 4,700
  • Azerbaijan - 4,171
  • Kyrgyzstan - about 5,000
  • Turkmenistan - officials say HIV infection does not exist in the country
  • Uzbekistan - about 7,800

The given data does not fully characterize the actual statistics, since not everyone is tested for HIV. In fact, the numbers are much higher, which should undoubtedly alert governments of all countries and the WHO.

Mortality

Since the beginning of the epidemic, about 36 million people have died from AIDS. Moreover, the mortality rate of patients is decreasing year by year - thanks to successful highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART or ART).

Celebrities who died from AIDS

• Gia Carangi- American supermodel. She died in 1986. Suffered from a severe form drug addiction.
• Freddie Mercury- lead singer of the legendary rock band Queen. Died in 1991.
• Michael Wastphal- famous tennis player. He died at the age of 26.
• Rudolf Nureyev- a legend of world ballet. Died in 1993.
• Ryan White- the first and most famous child with HIV infection. He suffered from hemophilia and contracted HIV through a blood transfusion at age 13. The boy, together with his mother, fought for the rights of HIV-infected people all his life. Ryan White died of AIDS in 1990 at the age of 18, but did not lose: he proved to the whole world that HIV-infected people do not pose a threat if basic precautions are taken, and have the right to an ordinary life.

The list is far from complete. The story continues...

AIDS virus

There is probably no other virus that is studied so thoroughly and at the same time remains a big mystery for scientists, claiming thousands of lives every year, including children. This is due to the fact that the human immunodeficiency virus changes very quickly: 1000 mutations per gene. Therefore, no effective solution has yet been found medicine There is no vaccine developed against it. Whereas, for example, the influenza virus mutates 30 (!) less often.

In addition, there are several varieties of the virus itself.

HIV: structure

There are two main types of HIV:

• HIV-1or HIV-1(discovered in 1983) is the main causative agent of infection. It is very aggressive, causing typical manifestations of the disease. Most often found in Western Europe and Asia, South and North America, Central Africa.

• HIV-2 or HIV-2(discovered in 1986) is a less aggressive analogue of HIV-1, so the disease is milder. Not so widespread: found in western Africa, Germany, France, Portugal.

There is HIV-3 and HIV-4, but they are rare.

Structure

HIV- a spherical (spherical) particle having a size from 100 to 120 nanometers. The virus shell is dense, formed by a double lipid (fat-like substance) layer with “spikes”, and under it is a protein layer (p-24 capsid).

Under the capsule are:

• two strands of viral RNA (ribonucleic acid) - a carrier of genetic information
• viral enzymes: protease, intergrase and transcriptase
• p7 protein

HIV belongs to the family of slow (lentiviruses) retroviruses. He does not have cellular structure, does not synthesize protein on its own, but reproduces only in cells human body.

The most important feature of retroviruses is the presence of a special enzyme: reverse transcriptase. Thanks to this enzyme, the virus converts its RNA into DNA (a molecule that ensures the storage and transmission of genetic information to subsequent generations), which it then introduces into the host cells.

HIV: properties

HIV is not stable in the external environment:

• quickly dies under the influence of a 5% solution of hydrogen peroxide, ether, chloramine solution, 70 0 C alcohol, acetone
• outside the body in the open air dies within a few minutes
• at +56 0 C - 30 minutes
• when boiling - instantly

However, the virus remains viable for 4-6 days in a dried state at a temperature of + 22 0 C, in a heroin solution for up to 21 days, in a needle cavity for several days. HIV is resistant to freezing and is not affected by ionizing or ultraviolet radiation.

HIV: features of the life cycle

HIV has a special affinity (prefers) for certain cells of the immune system - helper T-lymphocytes, monocytes, macrophages, as well as cells of the nervous system, in the membrane of which there are special receptors - CD4 cells. However, there is an assumption that HIV also infects other cells.

What are the cells of the immune system responsible for?

T lymphocytes-helpers activate the work of almost all cells of the immune system, and also produce special substances that fight foreign agents: viruses, microbes, fungi, allergens. That is, in fact, they control the functioning of almost the entire immune system.

Monocytes and macrophages - cells that absorb foreign particles, viruses and microbes, digesting them.

The HIV life cycle includes several phases

Let's look at them using the example of a helper T lymphocyte:

• Once in the body, the virus binds to special receptors on the surface of the T-lymphocyte - CD4 cells. Next, it penetrates the host cell and sheds the outer membrane.

• Using reverse transcriptase a DNA copy (one chain) is synthesized on the viral RNA (template). The copy is then completed into double-stranded DNA.
• Double-stranded DNA moves into the T-lymphocyte nucleus, where it is integrated into the DNA of the host cell. At this stage, the active enzyme is integrase.
• The DNA copy remains in the host cell from several months to several years, “sleeping,” so to speak. At this stage, the presence of the virus in the human body can be detected using tests with specific antibodies.
• Any secondary infection provokes the transfer of information from the DNA copy to the template (viral) RNA, which leads to further replication of the virus.
• Next, the host cell's ribosomes (protein-producing particles) synthesize viral proteins on the viral RNA.
• Then from viral RNA and newly synthesized viral proteins assembly of new parts of viruses occurs, which leave the cell, destroying it.
• New viruses attach to receptors on the surface of other T lymphocytes - and the cycle begins again.

Thus, if no treatment is given, HIV reproduces itself quite quickly: from 10 to 100 billion new viruses per day.

General diagram of the division of HIV along with a photograph taken under electron microscope.

HIV infection

Gone are the days when it was believed that HIV infection was a disease that only affected drug addicts, sex workers and homosexuals.

Anyone can become infected, regardless of social status, financial income, gender, age and sexual orientation. The source of infection is an HIV-infected person at any stage of the infectious process.

HIV doesn't just fly through the air. It is found in biological fluids of the body: blood, semen, vaginal secretions, breast milk, cerebrospinal fluid. For infection, an infectious dose of about 10,000 viral particles must enter the bloodstream.

Routes of transmission of HIV infection

1. Heterosexual contacts- unprotected vaginal sex.

The most common route of HIV transmission in the world is about 70-80% of infections, in Russia - 40.3%.

The risk of infection after one sexual contact with ejaculation ranges from 0.1 to 0.32% for the passive partner (the “receiving” side), and 0.01-0.1% for the active partner (the “introducing” side).

However, infection can occur after one sexual contact if there is any other sexually transmitted disease (STD): syphilis, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis and others. Because the number of helper T-lymphocytes and other cells of the immune system increases in the inflammatory focus. And then HIV “enters the human body on a white horse.”

In addition, with all STDs, the mucous membrane is prone to injury, so its integrity is often compromised: cracks, ulcers, and erosions appear. As a result, infection occurs much faster.

The likelihood of infection increases with prolonged sexual intercourse: if the husband is sick, then within three years in 45-50% of cases the wife becomes infected, if the wife is sick - in 35-45% of the cases the husband becomes infected. A woman’s risk of infection is higher because a large amount of infected sperm enters the vagina, it stays in contact with the mucous membrane for longer, and the contact area is larger.

1. Intravenous drug use

In the world, 5-10% of patients are infected this way, in Russia - 57.9%.

Because drug addicts are for intravenous administration drugs often use shared non-sterile medical syringes or shared containers for preparing the solution. The probability of infection is 30-35%.

In addition, drug addicts often engage in promiscuous sex, which several times increases the likelihood of infection for both themselves and others.

1. Unprotected anal sex regardless of sexual orientation

The probability of infecting a passive partner after one sexual contact with fellation ranges from 0.8 to 3.2%, and an active partner - 0.06%. The risk of infection is higher since the rectal mucosa is vulnerable and well supplied with blood.

1. Unprotected oral sex

The probability of infection is lower: for a passive partner after one contact with ejaculation no more than 0.03-0.04%, for an active partner - almost zero.

However, the risk of infection increases if there are jams in the corners of the mouth, and wounds and ulcers in the cavity.

1. Children born from HIV-infected mothers

They become infected in 25-35% of cases through a defective placenta, at the time of birth, or during breastfeeding.

It is possible for a healthy mother to become infected when breastfeeding a sick child, if the woman has cracked nipples and the baby’s gums bleed.

1. Accidental injuries with medical instruments, subcutaneous and intramuscular injections

Infection occurs in 0.2-1% of cases if there was contact with the biological fluid of an HIV-infected person.

1. Blood transfusion and organ transplantation

Infection - in 100% of cases if the donor was HIV-positive.

On a note

The likelihood of infection depends on the initial state of the person’s immune system: the weaker it is, the faster infection occurs, and the more severe the disease. In addition, it matters what the viral load of an HIV-infected person is; if it is high, then the risk of infection increases several times.

Diagnosis of HIV infection

It is quite complex because its symptoms appear a long time after infection and are similar to other diseases. That's why The main method of early diagnosis is testing for HIV infection.

Methods for diagnosing HIV infection

Developed a long time ago and constantly improved, reducing the risk of both false negatives and false positive results to a minimum. Most often Blood is used for diagnosis. However, there are test systems for detecting HIV in saliva (scraping from the oral mucosa) and in urine, but they have not yet found widespread use.

Available three main stages of diagnosis HIV infections in adults:

1. Preliminary- screening (sorting), which serves to select presumably infected individuals
2. Referential

1. Confirming- expert

The need for several stages is due to the fact that more complicated method, the more expensive and labor-intensive it is.

Some concepts in the context of diagnosing HIV infection:

• Antigen- the virus itself or its particles (proteins, fats, enzymes, capsule particles, and so on).
• Antibody- cells produced by the immune system in response to HIV entering the body.
• Seroconversion- immune response. Once in the body, HIV multiplies rapidly. In response, the immune system begins to produce antibodies, the concentration of which increases over the next few weeks. And only when their number reaches a certain level (seroconversion), they are detected by special test systems. Then the level of the virus drops, and the immune system calms down.
• "Window period"- the interval from the moment of infection to the appearance of seroconversion (on average 6-12 weeks). This is the most dangerous period, since the risk of HIV transmission is high, and the test system gives a false negative result

Screening stage

Definition total antibodies to HIV-1 and HIV-2 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) . It is usually informative 3-6 months after infection. However, sometimes it detects antibodies a little earlier: three to five weeks after dangerous contact.

It is preferable to use fourth generation test systems. They have one feature - in addition to antibodies, they also detect the HIV antigen - p-24-Capsid, which makes it possible to identify the virus even before the development of a sufficient level of antibodies, reducing the “window period”.

However, in most countries, outdated third or even second generation test systems (only detect antibodies) are still used, because they are cheaper.

However, they are more often give false positive results: if there is an infectious disease during pregnancy, autoimmune processes(rheumatism, systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriasis), the presence of the Epstein-Bar virus in the body and some other diseases.

If the ELISA result is positive, then the diagnosis of HIV infection is not made, but proceeds to the next stage of diagnosis.

Reference stage

It is carried out with more sensitive test systems 2-3 times. In case of two positive results, proceed to the third stage.

Expert stage - immunoblotting

A method in which antibodies to individual HIV proteins are determined.

Consists of several stages:

• HIV is broken down into antigens using electrophoresis.
• using the blotting method (in a special chamber), they are transferred to special strips on which proteins characteristic of HIV are already applied.
• The patient's blood is applied to the strips; if it contains antibodies to the antigens, a reaction occurs that is visible on the test strips.

However, the result may be false negative, since there are sometimes not enough antibodies in the blood - during the “window period” or in the terminal stages of AIDS.

Therefore there are two options for conducting the expert stage laboratory diagnosis of HIV infection:

First option	Second option

Available another sensitive diagnostic method HIV infection - polymerase chain reaction (PCR) - determination of DNA and RNA of the virus. However, it has a significant drawback - a high percentage of false positive results. Therefore, it is used in combination with other methods.

Diagnosis in children born from HIV-infected mothers

It has its own characteristics, since maternal antibodies to HIV may be present in the child’s blood, which penetrate the placenta. They are present from the moment of birth, remaining until 15-18 months of life. However, the absence of antibodies does not indicate that the child is not infected.

Diagnostic tactics

• up to 1 month - PCR, since the virus does not multiply intensively during this period
• older than a month - determination of p24-Capsid antigen
• laboratory diagnostic examination and observation from birth to 36 months

Symptoms and signs of HIV in men and women

Diagnosis is difficult because clinical manifestations similar to symptoms of other infections and diseases. In addition, HIV infection progresses differently in different people.

Stages of HIV infection

According to the Russian clinical classification of HIV infection (V.I. Pokrovsky)

HIV infection symptoms

• The first stage is incubation

  The virus is actively reproducing. Duration - from the moment of infection to 3-6 weeks (sometimes up to one year). In case of weakened immunity - up to two weeks.

  Symptoms
  None. You can be suspicious if there was a dangerous situation: unprotected casual sexual contact, blood transfusion, and so on. Test systems do not detect antibodies in the blood.

• The second stage - primary manifestations

  The body's immune response to the introduction, reproduction and massive spread of HIV. The first symptoms appear within the first three months after infection; they may precede seroconversion. Duration is usually 2-3 weeks (rarely several months).

  Flow options

• 2A - Asymptomatic There are no manifestations of the disease. There is only the production of antibodies.

• 2B - Acute infection without secondary diseases It is observed in 15-30% of patients. Proceeds like an acute viral infection or infectious mononucleosis.

Most common symptoms

• Increased body temperature 38.8C and above is a response to the introduction of the virus. The body begins to produce an active biological substance - interlekin, which “gives a signal” to the hypothalamus (located in the brain) that there is a “stranger” in the body. Therefore, energy production increases and heat transfer decreases.
• Enlarged lymph nodes- reaction of the immune system. In the lymph nodes, the production of antibodies by lymphocytes against HIV increases, which leads to working hypertrophy (increase in size) of the lymph nodes.
• Skin rashes in the form of red spots and compactions, small hemorrhages up to 10 mm in diameter, prone to merging with each other. The rash is located symmetrically, mainly on the skin of the torso, but sometimes on the face and neck. It is a consequence of direct damage by the virus to T-lymphocytes and macrophages in the skin, which leads to disruption local immunity. Therefore, there is subsequently an increased susceptibility to various pathogens.
• Diarrhea(frequent loose stools) develops due to the direct effect of HIV on the intestinal mucosa, which causes changes in the local immune system and also impairs absorption.
• Sore throat(sore throat, pharyngitis) and oral cavity due to the fact that HIV affects the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose, as well as lymphoid tissue(tonsils). As a result, swelling of the mucous membrane appears, the tonsils become enlarged, which causes a sore throat, painful swallowing and other symptoms characteristic of a viral infection.
• Enlarged liver and spleen associated with the reaction of the immune system to the introduction of HIV into the body.
• Sometimes are developing autoimmune diseases (psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis and others). The cause and mechanism of formation are not yet clear. However, most often these diseases occur over late stages.
• 2B - Acute infection with secondary diseases

  It is observed in 50-90% of patients. It occurs against the background of a temporary decrease in CD4 lymphocytes, so the immune system is weakened and cannot fully resist “strangers.”

  Secondary diseases occur caused by microbes, fungi, viruses: candidiasis, herpes, infections respiratory tract, stomatitis, dermatitis, sore throat and others. As a rule, they respond well to treatment. Then the state of the immune system stabilizes, and the disease moves to the next stage.

• The third stage is long-term widespread enlargement of the lymph nodes

  Duration - from 2 to 15-20 years, since the immune system inhibits the reproduction of the virus. During this period, the level of CD4 lymphocytes gradually decreases: at approximately a rate of 0.05-0.07x109/l per year.

  There is only an increase in at least two groups of lymph nodes (LNs) that are not connected to each other for three months, with the exception of the inguinal ones. The size of the lymph nodes in adults is more than 1 cm, in children - more than 0.5 cm. They are painless and elastic. Gradually, the lymph nodes decrease in size, remaining in this state for a long time. But sometimes they can increase again and then decrease - and so on for several years.

• Stage four - secondary diseases (pre-AIDS)

  Develops when the immune system is depleted: the level of CD4 lymphocytes, macrophages, and other cells of the immune system drops significantly.

  Therefore, HIV, having practically no response from the immune system, begins to multiply intensively. It affects more and more healthy cells, leading to the development of tumors and severe infectious diseases - opurtonic infections (with them in normal conditions the body copes easily). Some of them are found only in HIV-infected people, and some are also found in ordinary people, only in HIV-positive people they are much more severe.

  The disease can be suspected if there are at least 2-3 diseases or conditions listed at each stage.

  Has three stages

  1. 4A. Develops 6-10 years after infection with a CD4 lymphocyte level of 350-500 CD4/mm3 (in healthy people it ranges from 600-1900CD4/mm3).
     • Losing body weight up to 10% of initial weight in less than 6 months. The reason is that the viral proteins invade the body’s cells, suppressing protein synthesis in them. Therefore, the patient literally “dries out before our eyes,” and the absorption of nutrients in the intestines is also impaired.
     • Repeated damage to the skin and mucous membranes by bacteria (ulcers, boils), fungi (candidiasis, lichen), viruses (herpes zoster)
     • Pharyngitis and sinusitis (more than three times a year).

The diseases are treatable, but require longer-term medication.

1. 4B. Occurs 7-10 years after infection with a CD4 lymphocyte level of 350-200 CD4/mm3.

   Characterized by diseases and conditions:

   • Loss of body weight more than 10% in 6 months. There is weakness.
   • Increase in body temperature to 38.0-38.5 0 C for more than 1 month.
   • Chronic diarrhea (diarrhea) for more than 1 month develops as a result of both direct damage to the intestinal mucosa by the virus and the addition of a secondary infection, usually mixed.
   • Leukoplakia is the growth of the papillary layer of the tongue: white thread-like formations appear on its lateral surface, sometimes on the mucous membrane of the cheeks. Its emergence - bad sign for disease prognosis.
   • Deep lesions of the skin and mucous membranes (candidiasis, simple herpes, molluscum contagiosum, rubrophytia, pityriasis versicolor and others) with a protracted course.
   • Repeated and persistent bacterial (tonsillitis, pneumonia), viral (cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Bar virus, herpes simplex) infections.
   • Repeated or widespread shingles caused by a virus chickenpox.
   • Localized (non-spread) Kaposi's sarcoma is a malignant tumor of the skin that develops from the vessels of the lymphatic and circulatory system.
   • Pulmonary tuberculosis.

Without HAART, diseases are long-lasting and recurrent (symptoms return again).

1. 4B. Develops 10-12 years after infection when the CD4 lymphocyte level is less than 200 CD4/mm3. Life-threatening diseases arise.

   Characterized by diseases and conditions:

   • Extreme exhaustion, lack of appetite and severe weakness. Patients are forced to spend more than a month in bed.
   • Pneumocystis pneumonia (caused by a yeast-like fungus) is a marker of HIV infection.
   • Often recurrent herpes, manifested by non-healing erosions and ulcers on the mucous membranes.
   • Protozoal diseases: cryptosporidiosis and isosporosis (affect the intestines), toxoplasmosis (focal and diffuse brain lesions, pneumonia) - markers of HIV infection.
   • Candidiasis of the skin and internal organs: esophagus, respiratory tract, etc.
   • Extrapulmonary tuberculosis: bones, meninges, intestines and other organs.
   • Common Kaposi's sarcoma.
   • Mycobacterioses affecting the skin, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, central nervous system and others internal organs. Mycobacteria are present in water, soil, and dust. They cause disease only in HIV-infected people.
   • Cryptococcal meningitis is caused by a fungus that is present in the soil. It usually does not occur in a healthy body.
   • Diseases of the central nervous system: dementia, movement disorders, forgetfulness, decreased ability to concentrate, slowed thinking abilities, gait disturbance, personality changes, clumsiness in the hands. Develops both due to the direct impact of HIV on nerve cells for a long time, and as a result of complications developed after past diseases.
   • Malignant tumors of any location.
   • Damage to the kidneys and heart caused by HIV infection.

All infections are severe and difficult to treat. However, the fourth stage is reversible spontaneously or due to ongoing HAART.

• Fifth stage - terminal

  Develops when the CD4 cell count is below 50-100 CD4/mm3. At this stage, all existing diseases progress; treatment of secondary infections is ineffective. The patient’s life depends on HAART, but, unfortunately, it, as well as the treatment of secondary diseases, are ineffective. Therefore, patients usually die within a few months.

  There is a classification of HIV infection according to WHO, but it is less structured, so mostly specialists prefer to work according to Pokrovsky’s classification.

Important!

The given data on the stages and their manifestations of HIV infection are averaged. Not all patients go through the stages sequentially, sometimes “skipping” through them or staying at a certain stage for a long time.

Therefore, the course of the disease can be quite long (up to 20 years) or short-lived (cases of fulminant course are known, when patients died within 7-9 months from the moment of infection). This is associated with the characteristics of the patient’s immune system (for example, some have few CD4 lymphocytes or initially reduced immunity), as well as the type of HIV.

HIV infection in men

The symptoms fit into the usual clinical picture, without any specific manifestations.

HIV infection in women

As a rule, they have menstrual irregularities (irregular periods with intermenstrual bleeding), and menstruation itself is painful.

Women have a slightly higher risk of developing malignant tumors on the cervix.

Moreover, they have inflammatory processes female genital organs occur more often (more than three times a year) than in healthy women, leaking more heavily.

HIV infection in children

The course does not differ from that of adults, but there is a difference - they are somewhat behind in physical and mental development from peers.

Treatment of HIV infection

Unfortunately, there is no drug yet that can completely cure this disease. However, there are medications that significantly reduce the reproduction of the virus, prolonging the life of patients.

Moreover, these drugs are so effective that when proper treatment CD4 cells are growing, and HIV itself is difficult to detect in the body even with the most sensitive methods.

To achieve this you The patient must have self-discipline:

• taking medication at the same time
• compliance with dosage and diet
• continuity of treatment

Therefore, recently, patients with HIV infection are increasingly dying from diseases common to all people: heart disease, diabetes, and so on.

Main directions of treatment

• Prevent and delay development life-threatening states
• Ensure longer preservation of the quality of life of infected patients
• With the help of HAART and prevention of secondary diseases, achieve remission (absence of clinical symptoms)
• Emotional and practical support for patients
• Providing free drugs

Principles for prescribing HAART

First stage

No treatment is prescribed. However, if there was contact with an HIV-infected person, then chemoprophylaxis is recommended in the first three days after contact.

Second stage

2A. No treatment unless the CD4 count is less than 200 CD4/mm3

2B. Treatment is prescribed, but if the CD4 lymphocyte count is more than 350 CD4/mm3, it is withheld.

2B. Treatment is prescribed if the patient has manifestations characteristic of stage 4, but with the exception of cases when the level of CD4 lymphocytes is more than 350 CD4/mm3.

Third stage

HAART is prescribed if the CD4 lymphocyte count is less than 200 CD4/mm3, and the HIV RNA level is more than 100,000 copies, or the patient actively wishes to begin therapy.

Fourth stage

Treatment is prescribed if the CD4 count is less than 350 CD4/mm3 or the HIV RNA number is more than 100,000 copies.

Fifth stage

Treatment is always prescribed.

On a note

HAART is prescribed to children regardless of the stage of the disease.

These are the existing standards for the treatment of HIV infection today. But recent studies have shown that starting HAART earlier can help top scores. Therefore, it is likely that these recommendations will be revised soon.

Medicines used to treat HIV

• Nucleoside inhibitors of viral reverse transcriptase (Didanosine, Lamivudine, Zidovudine, Abacovir, Stavudine, Zalcitabine)
• Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (Nevirapine, Ifavirenz, Delavirdine)
• Viral protease (enzyme) inhibitors (Saquinavir, Indinavir, Nelfinavir, ritonavir, nelfinavir)

When prescribing treatment, as a rule, several drugs are combined.

However, it will soon hit the market new drug -Quad, which promises to radically change the lives of people living with HIV. Because it works faster, it has fewer side effects. In addition, it solves the problem of HIV drug resistance. And patients will no longer have to swallow handfuls of pills. Because the new medicine combines the effects of several drugs to treat HIV infection, and is taken once a day.

Prevention of HIV infection

“It is easier to prevent any disease than to treat it later.”

There is probably not a person who disagrees with this statement. This also applies to HIV/AIDS. Therefore, most countries are implementing various programs to reduce the rate of spread of this infection.

However, we will talk about what everyone can do. After all, it doesn’t take much effort to protect yourself and your loved ones from this plague.

Preventing HIV/AIDS among people at increased risk

Heterosexual and homosexual contacts

• Most the right way- have one sexual partner whose HIV status is known.

• Engage in casual sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal) only using a condom. The most reliable are latex ones with standard lubricant.

However, even in this case there is no 100% guarantee, since the size of HIV is smaller than the pores of latex, which can let it through. In addition, with intense friction, the latex pores expand, allowing the virus to pass through more easily.

But the likelihood of infection is still reduced to almost zero if you use a condom correctly: you must put it on before sexual intercourse, make sure that there is no air left between the latex and the penis (there is a risk of rupture), and always use a condom in accordance with the size.

Almost all condoms made from other materials do not protect against HIV at all.

Intravenous drug use

Drug addiction and HIV often go hand in hand, so the most reliable way- refusal to take intravenous drugs.

However, if you still choose this path, you must take precautions:

• Individual and single use of sterile medical syringes
• Preparation of solution for injection in sterile individual containers

Pregnant woman infected with HIV It is better to determine your HIV status before pregnancy. If it is positive, the woman is examined and all the risks associated with pregnancy are explained (the likelihood of infection of the fetus, worsening of the disease in the mother, etc.). In the case when an HIV-infected woman nevertheless decides to become a mother, conception should be as safe as possible in order to reduce the risk of infection of the fetus:

• using a self-insemination kit (HIV-negative partner)

• sperm purification followed by insemination (both partners are HIV positive)

• in vitro fertilization

It is necessary to exclude factors that increase the permeability of the placenta to HIV: smoking, alcohol and drugs. It is important to treat STDs chronic diseases (diabetes, pyelonephritis and so on), since they also increase the permeability of the placenta.

Taking medications:

• HAART (if necessary) with therapeutic or for preventive purposes depending on the stage of pregnancy
• multivitamins
• iron supplements and others

In addition, a woman should protect herself as much as possible from possible other infectious diseases.

It is important to submit everything on time necessary tests: determine viral load, CD4 cell level, smears, etc.

Medical staff

There is a risk of infection if the activity involves penetration through natural barriers (skin, mucous membranes) and manipulations during which they come into contact with biological fluids.

Prevention of infection

• use of protective equipment: glasses, gloves, mask and protective clothing

• promptly dispose of the used needle in a special puncture-proof container

• contact with HIV-infected biological fluid - chemoprophylaxis - taking complex HAART according to the regimen

• contact with a suspected infected body fluid:
  • skin injury (puncture or cut) - the bleeding does not need to be stopped for a few seconds, then treat the injury site with 700C alcohol

• contact with biological fluid on undamaged areas of the body - wash with running water and soap, then wipe with 700C alcohol

• contact with eyes - rinse with running water

• in the mouth - rinse with 700C alcohol

• on clothes - remove them and soak them in one of the disinfectants (chloramine and others), and wipe the skin underneath with 70% alcohol

• for shoes - wipe twice with a rag soaked in one of the disinfectant solutions

• on walls, floors, tiles - pour disinfectant solution for 30 minutes, then wipe

How is HIV transmitted?

Healthy man becomes infected from an HIV-infected person at any stage of the disease when an infectious dose enters the bloodstream.

Methods of transmission of the virus

• Unprotected sexual intercourse with an HIV-infected person (heterosexual and homosexual contacts). Most often - among people who are disorderly sex life. The risk increases with anal sex regardless of sexual orientation.

• When using intravenous drugs: sharing a non-sterile syringe or container for preparing a solution with an HIV-infected person.

• From an HIV-infected woman to her child during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding.

• When healthcare workers come into contact with contaminated biological fluid: contact with mucous membranes, injections or cuts.

• Blood transfusions or organ transplants from HIV-infected people. Of course, the donor organ or blood is tested before medical procedures. However, if it falls during the window period, the test produces a false negative result.

Where can you donate blood for HIV?

Thanks to special programs, as well as adopted laws for the protection of HIV-infected people, information is not disclosed or transferred to third parties. Therefore, there should be no fear of status disclosure or discrimination if the result is positive.

There are two types of free blood donation for HIV infection:

• Anonymous The person does not give his name, but is assigned a number by which you can find out the result (for many this is more comfortable).

• Confidential Laboratory staff become aware of the person's first and last name, but they maintain medical confidentiality.

Testing can be done:

• at any regional AIDS center

• in a city, regional or district clinic in anonymous and voluntary testing rooms, where blood is drawn to detect HIV infection.

In almost all of these institutions, a person who decides to find out his HIV status will be consulted both before and after testing, providing psychological assistance.

In addition, you can get tested in a private medical center, which is equipped with special equipment, but most likely for a fee.

Depending on the capabilities of the laboratory, the result can be obtained on the same day, after 2-3 days or after 2 weeks. Considering that testing is stressful for many people, it is better to clarify the timing in advance.

What should you do if you test positive for HIV?

Usually when you test positive for HIV infection doctor anonymously invites the patient to his place and explains:

• course of the disease itself

• what research still needs to be done?

• how to live with this diagnosis

• what treatment to take if necessary, and so on

However, if for some reason this does not happen, you need to consult an infectious disease doctor to the regional AIDS center or to a treatment and prevention facility at the place of residence.

Must be determined:

• CD4 cell level

• presence of viral hepatitis (B, C, D)

• in some cases, p-24-Capsid antigen

All other studies are carried out according to indications: detection of STDs, determination of general immune status, markers of malignant tumors, computed tomography and so on.

How can you avoid becoming infected with HIV?

• when coughing or sneezing
• for insect or animal bites
• through shared tableware and cutlery
• during medical examinations
• when swimming in a pool or pond
• in the sauna, steam room
• through a handshake, hug and kiss
• when using a shared toilet
• V in public places

Essentially, patients with HIV infection are less contagious than patients with viral hepatitis.

Who are HIV dissidents?

People who deny the existence of HIV infection.

Their beliefs are based on the following:

• HIV has not been identified clearly and indisputably

They say that no one has seen it under a microscope, and also that it has not been artificially cultivated outside the human body. All that has been isolated so far is a set of proteins, and there is no evidence that they belong to only one virus.

In fact, there are plenty of photographs taken under an electron microscope.

• From treatment antiviral drugs sick people die faster than from illness

  This is partly true, since the very first drugs did cause a large number of side effects. However modern medicines much more effective and safer. In addition, science does not stand still, inventing more effective and safe means.

• Considered a global conspiracy of pharmaceutical companies

  If this were so, then pharmaceutical companies would disseminate information not about the disease itself and its treatment, but about some kind of miracle vaccine, which, by the way, does not exist to this day.

• They say that AIDS is a disease of the immune system, not caused by a virus

  They say it is a consequence of immunodeficiency that developed as a result of stress, after strong radiation, exposure to poison or strong drugs, and some other reasons.

  Here we can contrast the fact that as soon as an HIV-infected patient starts taking HAART, his condition improves significantly.

  All these statements mislead patients, therefore they refuse treatment. Whereas, when started on time, HAART slows down the course of the disease, prolonging life and allowing HIV-infected people to be full-fledged members of society: to work, give birth to healthy children, live in a normal rhythm, and so on. Therefore, it is so important to detect HIV in time and, if necessary, begin HAART.