...Stages of HIV infection Site: AIDS info Date: Sept. 23 2014 HIV is a virus that ultimately leads to AIDS and death. This is because this virus attacks and weakens the immune system, and along the way destroys the infection fighting cells. If the virus is treated as soon as it is discovered, medications can help a person live a longer, healthier life. Without treatment this virus gets worse over time causing the infection to advance in stages, until the person’s immune system becomes so weak, which puts them at risk for getting opportunistic infections, which causes death. There are three phases to this infection. The first stage is called acute HIV, which develops anywhere between two and four weeks after a person is infected. “During this time, people experience flu- like symptoms, which may include headaches, fevers, and sometimes rashes.” In this stage, HIV spreads very fast, throughout the infected body. This virus starts to attack the fighting CD4 cells which are the cells that help to fight infection when a person is sick. HIV can be transmitted at any of the three stages. The greatest risk is the first stage in which the virus spreads rapidly, known as acute HIV stage. The next stage of this infection is known as “chronic HIV, asymptomatic HIV, or clinical latency.” During this phase, HIV continues to increase but at a very slow pace. At this time, people who are infected may be asymptomatic, but can spread this disease without realizing it. Deprived of HIV medications...
Words: 455 - Pages: 2
...Study of the rates of co-infection of HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis in Urbanized regions within Sub-Saharan Africa Sistla Sumanth Introduction: Airborne communication of mycobacterium tuberculosis is responsible for the evolution of primary tuberculosis (TB) in immunostable and immunocomprimsed patients (Aaron, et al. 2004). In 1993, the center for disease control classification identified that TB was the defining illness in HIV infected patients, as it is typically the first symptom bearing illness to afflict the patient (Aaron, et al. 2004). TB cases have dramatically increased in the global setting in recent, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, illustrating the sensitivity of HIV infected patients to this co-infection. TB results from a pathogenic infection caused primarily by M. tuberculosis, and seldom Mycobacterium bovis; the infiltration of the bacterium into the respiratory tract leads to the infection of the macrophages and cytotoxic cells debilitating intracellular growth (Aaron, et al. 2004). The risk of HIV infected patients to succumb due to the co-infection of tuberculosis and HIV is twice that of patients only infected with HIV (Aaron, et al. 2004). A 1997 estimate suggests that atleast 10.7million people were co-infected with HIV and M. tuberculosis; more than 30% of TB cases in Africa are also infected with HIV (Aaron, et al. 2004) showing the susceptibility of co-infection in immunocompromised patients. Those living in Sub-Saharan Africa...
Words: 2369 - Pages: 10
...Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a disease that only infects humans, weakens the immune system, and like other viruses, reproduces itself by taking over cells within the body of its host. HIV is similar to other viruses such as those that cause the common cold or flu. The difference is that with most viruses, the body’s natural immune system is able to rid the body of it. With HIV, the body’s immune system cannot clear the virus and the reason behind this is still trying to be figured out by scientists (AIDS.gov, 2014). Scientists believe that the source of HIV came from a certain type of chimpanzee in Western Africa and was transmitted to humans when these infected animals were hunted and eaten. Studies have shown that HIV may have transmitted to humans as far back as the 1800s and slowly spread across Africa, eventually making its way to different parts of the world. HIV has existed here in the United States since the mid to late 1970s (CDC, 2014). So what causes HIV? How does one get infected with this non-curable disease? In this short essay we will explore this communicable disease in detail, discuss factors that contribute to the development of this disease, discuss the epidemiologic triangle as it relates to HIV, and lastly explain the role that a community nurse has in regards to prevention. HIV is a non-curable disease and once you have it, you have it for life. HIV is found in bodily fluids such as, blood, semen, pre-seminal fluid, breast milk, vaginal...
Words: 1952 - Pages: 8
...Epidemiology Paper –HIV Human immunodeficiency virus is a retrovirus attack the cells of the immune system, and leads to the loss of immune function, results in the development of Acquired immune deficiency syndrome [AIDS]. The human retrovirus contains two copies of a 9,749- base ribonucleic add [RNA] molecule as its genetic material. There is an enzyme called reverse transcriptase carried by the virus transform the RNA genome into a DNA copy upon infection and this DNA copy integrates into human chromosome and is maintained in a form called provirus and once the provirus is integrated the infection is not reversible .Human immune viruses falls into the subgroup known as lent viruses or slow viruses that do not cause the state of disease for many years after the infection. The period of time between the between the HIV infection and the development of disease takes between five and ten years in an untreated person. This person can be infectious during this period. Human immunodeficiency virus transmits only through the body fluids including semen vaginal fluid and also human milk .That is why the primary mode of transmission is sexual transmission, repeated use of dirty needles by the intravenous drug users, needles used for tattoos and body piercing, and also the transmission is through the HIV contaminated breast milk or from a HIV positive mother to the newborn during child birth. In the early days of AIDS epidemic the blood and blood product transfusions were considered...
Words: 1533 - Pages: 7
...HIV Epidemiology Patricia Mayer Grand Canyon University NRS 427V Sarah Hathcock April 25, 2015 HIV Epidemiology Human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, is a virus that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS. The body is not able to rid itself of the human immunodeficiency virus, so once a person has the virus, they have it for life (Center for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2015). Currently there is no safe or effective cure for HIV, but with the proper medical care, it can be controlled and drastically prolong the life of someone infected with HIV which can also lower their chances of infecting others with the virus. The virus attacks the T cells in the body and over time it can do away with so many of the cells that the body cannot fight off infections or diseases. It is at that point when HIV infections becomes AIDS (CDC, 2015). Causes and Symptoms HIV is believed to originally be caused by coming into contact with the blood of infected chimps and monkeys in Africa during butchering and cooking, which allowed the cross contamination into humans. HIV is a slow virus, which means it could take anywhere for five to ten years after infection for the symptoms to appear (Meyer & Adler, 2014). There are three stages of HIV and the person can transmit the virus during any stage. The first stage is acute infection it happens two to four weeks after infection with HIV, the person will have flu-like symptoms, during this stage large amounts of...
Words: 1360 - Pages: 6
...the HIV virus in a near future and we should support the organizations that fund the research. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the virus that can lead to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, or AIDS. Unlike some other viruses, the human body cannot get rid of HIV, once you contact HIV, you have it for life. HIV affects specific cells of the immune system, called CD4 cells, or T cells. Over time, HIV can destroy so many of these cells that the body can’t fight off infections and disease which then leads to AIDS. Within 2-4 weeks after HIV infection, many, but not all, people experience flu-like symptoms, often described as the “worst flu ever.” This is called “Acute Retro-viral Syndrome” (ARS) or “primary HIV infection,” and it’s the body’s natural response to the HIV infection. Symptoms can include fever (this is the most common symptom), swollen glands, sore throat, rash, fatigue, headache, muscle and joint aches and pains. These symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks. However, one should not assume that they have HIV if any of these symptoms should appear. Each of these symptoms can be caused by other illnesses. Conversely, not everyone who is infected with HIV develops ARS. Many people who are infected with HIV do not have any symptoms at all for 10 years or more. CDC, (2014). Only certain fluids—blood, semen (cum), pre-seminal fluid (pre-cum), rectal fluids, vaginal fluids, and breast milk—from an HIV-infected person can transmit HIV. These...
Words: 1771 - Pages: 8
...Chelsea Johnson Bio 111 Dr. Hall HIV AIDS in Southeastern U.S United States Statistics show that the AIDS epidemic began in 1981. Since then 1.7 million Americans have been infected with HIV. A number of 583,298 U.S. citizens have died due to AIDS-related causes. 1.1 million Americans are living with HIV and don’t even know it. An estimated 21% of people living with HIV are undiagnosed. AIDS spread so fast that every 9.5 minutes; someone in the U.S. is infected with HIV. The leading cause of the spreading disease is said to be gay and bisexual men. Gay and bisexual men continue to spread the HIV infection. They are accounted for an estimated 53% of new HIV infections. Also, African-Americans and Latinos are affected by HIV and AIDS as well. However, Blacks are accounted for 45% of new HIV infections in 2006. There is 47% of Black living with the disease and they make up only 12% of the U.S. population. Latinos account for 17% of new infections. They comprise 15% of the U.S. population. Whites represent 35% of new infections and account for 66% of the total population (HIV/AIDS Facts). The AIDS case rate for African Americans is more than 9 times that of whites. Also the HIV rate is 7 times greater among blacks than whites. Survival after an AIDS diagnosis is lower for blacks than any other racial/ethnic group. The largest share of any age group is young adults and teens between 13 and 29 that represent 34% of new HIV infections. Black teens that become affected represent...
Words: 1090 - Pages: 5
...| HIV/AIDS: | A Global Epidemic | | [Type the author name] | HCA 240 HEALTH AND DISEASES | | HIV/AIDS: A Global Epidemic Human Immunodeficiency Virus also known as HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV is a disease that attacks the immune system specifically targeting CD4 cells or T cells. HIV makes you more susceptible to certain types of cancers and infections that our bodies would normally resist such as pneumonia and meningitis (The Mayo Clinic, 2010). Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome is a global epidemic. There is an estimated 39.5 million people living with the virus today (The Mayo Clinic, 2010). Approximately 2.0 million people died from aid in 2008 (WHO, 2010). AIDS is developed in the final stage of the HIV infection. A person can live symptom free with the HIV infection for an extended period of time. Years may go by before the virus is even detected. To move from an HIV-positive diagnosis to an AIDS diagnosis, one must have one of 23 indicator diseases and have a T4 (or CD4) cell count of less than 200 (Mulvihill, Zelman, Holdaway, Tompary, Raymond, 2006). A normal count ranges from 800 to 1,200 (The Mayo Clinic, 2008) HIV is a very delicate virus. This virus will not last long outside the body. Because of this fact, the HIV infection cannot be transmitted through daily activities like greeting by shaking hands, hugging an infected person, or even through kissing. This disease is transmitted via contaminated body fluids including...
Words: 1142 - Pages: 5
...Epidemiology Paper – HIV/AIDS Epidemiology is defined as “the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations, and the application of this study to control of health problems” (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2008, p. 243). According to Medscape’s (2011) website, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are prevalent among homeless girls and women (both sheltered and unsheltered) and is attributed to lack of access to condoms, survival sex, prostitution, intravenous drug use, language barriers, and citizenship status. HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the immune system, the body's natural defense system. Not having a good immune system means the body will have trouble getting rid of disease. The infection it creates and the virus is called HIV. One of the most important pieces of the immune system is the White Blood cells. The HIV virus targets and destroy a specific white blood cell called CD4+ cells. The human body can’t defend itself from infection if way too many CD4+ cells are neutralized. AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is the last phase of HIV infection. People get rare Cancer or infections that healthy people almost never get if they have low amount of CD4+ with AIDS. This could be fatal. Although just because you have HIV, doesn’t mean you also have AIDS. It usually takes 10-12 years for HIV to become aids even without any treatment. If the HIV virus is diagnosed before AIDS develop, then medicines...
Words: 1744 - Pages: 7
... * ------------------------------------------------- SERVICE LOCATOR ------------------------------------------------- Top of Form Search: Bottom of Form AIDS.gov Home * HIV/AIDS Basics * HIV/AIDS 101 * AWARENESS DAYS * Home / HIV/AIDS Basics / HIV/AIDS 101 : How Do You Get HIV or AIDS? SUBSCRIBE TRANSLATE TEXT SIZEPRINT ------------------------------------------------- HOW DO YOU GET HIV OR AIDS? ------------------------------------------------- HOW IS HIV SPREAD? You can get or transmit HIV only through specific activities. Most commonly, people get or transmit HIV through sexual behaviors and needle or syringe use. HIV is not spread easily. Only certain body fluids from a person who has HIV can transmit HIV: * Blood * Semen (cum) * Pre-seminal fluid (pre-cum) * Rectal fluids * Vaginal fluids * Breast milk These body fluids must come into contact with a mucous membrane or damaged tissue or be directly injected into your bloodstream (by a needle or syringe) for transmission to occur. Mucous membranes are found inside the rectum, vagina, penis, and mouth. If you think you may have been exposed to HIV, get tested. You can get tested at your healthcare provider’s office, a clinic, and other locations. You can also get a HIV home test kit from your local pharmacy. Use the...
Words: 2781 - Pages: 12
...KENYA METHODIST UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT AND MEDICAL EDUCATION COURSE: BSC. HEALTH SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT UNIT: HCSI 225-HIV/AIDS * Cultural, social and economic factors that increase women’s vulnerability to HIV/AIDS. Introduction Women, especially in sub-Saharan Africa not only have the highest HIV-prevalence rates, compared to men, but also are greatly affected by the social and economic constraints that prevent them from evading high risk situations. Context-specific factors associated with women’s vulnerability to HIV infection include: Cultural Norms Cultural norms often place a high value on motherhood; attach a negative stigma to HIV-infected women, and view women and girls as primary caregivers. This places a significant burden on them. Other cultural practices such as widow inheritance and female genital mutilation (FGM) also increase women’s risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. Polygamy and early marriages are also very prevalent cultural practices in some societies in the world and most especially in Africa. These setups in most cases disadvantage the women and put them at greater risk of contracting the virus and disease. Poverty Poverty sometimes prompts women to engage in risky behavior, such as exchanging sex for gifts, money or food. As a result, women are more vulnerable to contracting the virus because they are unable to negotiate safe sex. This behavior is commonly seen among transport routes as well as refugee camps, where...
Words: 1752 - Pages: 8
...Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a lentivirus (a member of the retrovirus family) that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS),[1][2] a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive. HIV infects vital cells in the human immune system such as helper T cells (specifically CD4+ T cells), macrophages, and dendritic cells.[3] HIV infection leads to low levels of CD4+ T cells through three main mechanisms: First, direct viral killing of infected cells; second, increased rates of apoptosis in infected cells; and third, killing of infected CD4+ T cells by CD8 cytotoxic lymphocytes that recognize infected cells. When CD4+ T cell numbers decline below a critical level, cell-mediated immunity is lost, and the body becomes progressively more susceptible to opportunistic infections. Classification HIV is a member of the genus Lentivirus,[4] part of the family of Retroviridae.[5] Lentiviruses have many morphologies and biologicalproperties in common. Many species are infected by lentiviruses, which are characteristically responsible for long-duration illnesses with a long incubation period.[6] Lentiviruses are transmitted as single-stranded, positive-sense, enveloped RNA viruses. Upon entry into the target cell, the viral RNA genome is converted (reverse transcribed) into double-stranded DNA by a virally encoded reverse transcriptase that is transported along with the viral genome...
Words: 2271 - Pages: 10
...Tripti; COH/200301; Total nos of Pages: 7; COH 200301 Potential impact of early antiretroviral therapy on transmission David Paoa, Deenan Pillayb,c and Martin Fishera HIV/GUM Research Department, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Brighton, Department of Infection, University College London Medical School and cCentre for Infections, Health Protection Agency, London, UK b a Correspondence to Deenan Pillay, Centre for Virology (Bloomsbury), Windeyer Building, 46 Cleveland Street, London W1T 4JF, UK Tel: +44 20 7679 9482; fax: +44 20 7580 5896; e-mail: d.pillay@ucl.ac.uk Current Opinion in HIV and AIDS 2009, 4:000–000 Purpose of review In this review, we will discuss the potential of early highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) to reduce the sexual transmission of HIV on an individual and population level. We will focus on the biological plausibility and behavioural factors associated with HAART use and interventions that might influence such a strategy. Recent findings Empiric and phylogenetic studies support the view that recent HIV infection is a highly infectious disease stage. Evidence increasingly demonstrates that individuals on fully suppressive HAART are significantly less likely to transmit HIV to sexual partners and some even suggest that such individuals cannot transmit HIV. Changes in risk behaviour are associated with the availability of HAART but behavioural studies offer contradictory observations regarding the direction and magnitude of...
Words: 3950 - Pages: 16
...[pic] HIV/AIDS INFECTION: A THREATHENING VIRAL DISEASE By Raymond G. Cervantes John Rey Hesita March, 2010 Mr. Armando Torrente Professor OUTLINE I. Introduction-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1 A. Background of the Research-------------------------------------------------------------------------1 B. Statement of the Problem------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------3 C. Importance of the Paper------------------------------------------------------------------------------3 D. Definition of Terms ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------3 II. Body----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5 A.Modes of Transmission of HIV/Aids (Direct Factors) ----------------------------------------5 1.Sexual Transmission-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------5 2,Mother to Child Transmission------------------------------------------------------------------------5 3.Transmission via Fomites-----------------------------------------------------------------------------5 4. Needles--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5 5. Blood Traces--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6 6. Routine Medical...
Words: 3827 - Pages: 16
...HIV Epidemiology J**** A******* Grand Canyon University: NRS-427V August 2, 2014 HIV Epidemiology Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus spread through body fluids that affects specific cells of the immune system, called CD4 cells, or T cells. Over time, HIV can destroy so many of these cells that the body can’t fight off infections and disease (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2015). HIV is spread when certain body fluids from an infected HIV individual: blood, semen (cum), pre-seminal fluid (pre-cum), rectal fluids, vaginal fluids, and breast milk; are transmitted through a mucous membrane or damaged tissue or be directly injected into the bloodstream. It is only under these specific conditions that HIV can be transmitted, it is not spread from causal contact with an infected individual. Early signs and symptoms include: fever, swollen lymph glands, sore throat, headache, malaise, nausea, muscle and joint pain, diarrhea, and a diffuse rash. In the progression of HIV, these symptoms worsen and additional symptoms include: localized infections, lymphadenopathy, nervous system manifestations, and the presence of oropharyngeal candidiasis (thrush). Other infections that can also occur include: shingles, persistent vaginal candida infections, outbreaks of oral or genital herpes, bacterial infections, and Kaposi sarcoma (KS). The biggest complication of HIV is the progression of the infection to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Numerous...
Words: 1435 - Pages: 6
