AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome)
- AIDS is a severe viral disease caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
- It is a condition in which the immune system fails and suppresses the body’s disease-fighting mechanism.
- They attack the lymphocytes and the affected individual is prone to infectious diseases.
- Dr Suniti Solomon pioneered HIV research and treatment in India. She set up the first voluntary testing and counselling centre and an AIDS Research group in Chennai during the 80s.
- Her team was the first to document evidence of HIV infection in India in 1985 (First Indian AIDS patient in Chennai).
Transmission of HIV
- AIDS virus has been found in urine, tears, saliva, breast milk and vaginal secretions.
- The virus is transmitted by an infected patient who comes in contact with the blood of a healthy person.
- HIV/AIDS is not transmitted by touch or any physical contact. It spreads through contact with body fluids or blood.
HIV is transmitted generally by
- Sexual contact with an infected person
- Use of contaminated needles or syringes especially in case of intravenous drug abusers
- By transfusion of contaminated/infected blood or blood products
- From infected mother to her child through the placenta.
Symptoms and Treatment of AIDS
Symptoms:
- Infected individuals become immune deficient.
- The person becomes more susceptible to viral, bacterial, protozoan and fungal infections.
- Swelling of lymph nodes, damage to the brain, loss of memory, lack of appetite and weight loss, fever, chronic diarrhoea, cough, lethargy, pharyngitis, nausea and headache.
Diagnosis:
- The presence of HIV virus can be confirmed by Western Blot analysis or Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
Treatment:
- Anti-retroviral drugs and immune simulative therapy can prolong the life of the infected person.
Prevention and Control of AIDS
- The following steps may help in controlling and preventing the spreading of HIV infection
- Screening of blood from blood banks for HIV before transfusion.
- Ensuring the use of disposable needles and syringes in hospitals and clinics.
- Advocating safe sex and the advantages of using condoms.
- Creating awareness campaigns and educating people on the consequences of AIDS.
- Persons with HIV/AIDS should not be isolated from their family and society.