Hiv and Aids

While HIV/AIDS may be a new disease, there is nothing new about a novel epidemic, which can potentially or actually decimate a population. In the late middle ages, the Black Plague, swept through Europe killing virtually half the population. It was introduced by a single or small group of rats that came to Italy abroad a trading ship from what is now Turkey. Trade goods from the Hudson Bay Company wiped out entire Native American tribes later transmitted small Pox. There are other examples of diseases accidentally introduced to a population that had no genetic immunity to them. Now as in previous diseases, one of the dangers of HIV/AIDS is not only in its plague proportions but the reasons behind it. In the treatment of all illness, it is necessary to understand the emotional, economic, psychological and sometimes even political impact that is brought about by the disease.

AIDS, the acronym for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is the end stage disease of the human immunodeficiency virus HIV. The result of this disease is the destruction of the patient's immune system. Since the infected person has no ability to fight off any infection because the virus is replicating in and destroying the cells that normally fight infection, he/she then becomes susceptible to all disease. Ultimately death occurs as a result of the body's inability to fight infection. AIDS is an illness characterized by laboratory evidence of HIV infection coexisting with one or more indicator diseases. Most patients are diagnosed by these criteria. HIV as its name indicates is a virus and is therefore and obligate parasite. Such parasites can only replicate while inside another living cell, or host. Parenthetically, HIV carries its genetic material in RNA rather than DNA, and while in the host the virus converts RNA to DNA in order to replicate. In seeking hosts, HIV is typically attracted to cells such as T-helper lymphocytes and similar cells. HIV reproduces at a phenomenal rate, which causes massive destruction to the host cells. Cell destruction grows geometrically as the virus replicates and seeks new host cells. Immune system breakdown primarily results from the destruction of T-helper cells. HIV is particularly sinister in its attack on T-helper cells since one of the functions of those cells is to recognize and alert the immune system to alien infections. In the beginning the body's immune system combats the virus, however, since the virus virtually targets T-helper cells, the immune system begins to loose its ability to even recognize let alone defend the invading virus. The infection then spreads through the lymph system and lymphoid tissue becomes a reservoir for HIV replication. As the disease progresses viral particles begin to enter the blood, this results in the infection of body tissues where the virus begins to replicate in infected macrophages. The virus at this point is well on its way to infecting every organ and tissue in the body. The symptoms of HIV, while highly identifiable to the patient, are general in nature and are attributable to any number of causes. Early signs are consistent with flu like viruses. They include abdominal pain, chills and fever, coughing, diarrhea, dyspnea, fatigue and headache. Later symptoms are more severe and could be consistent with other diagnosis including cancer. Some symptoms include disorders of the lymphatic system, malaise, muscle and joint pain, night sweats, oral lesions, shortness of breath, skin rash, sore throat, weight loss and disorientation. Additionally in the majority of HIV cases there are neurological manifestations as well. In addition to symptoms preliminary diagnosis can be made by deduction in knowing whether or not the patient engages in high-risk behaviors. If combinations of symptoms are present and are accompanied by the fact that the patient engages in high-risk behaviors, then immediate clinical testing is advised. The individual's blood is tested with antibody tests that detect the presence of HIV antibodies, if the result is positive the patient has to repeat the test for a second time. In the case that the second test is positive a Western blot is performed. The Western blot is a more specific confirming test. Blood that tests positive to all three screenings is reported to be positive for HIV, if the results are inconclusive or indeterminate; the tests are repeated in 4 to 6 weeks. However, these tests, whether positive or negative does not confirm nor dismiss the diagnosis of AIDS for a negative test is not an assurance that the individual is free of HIV since it takes up to three months after initial infection for disease to show in testing, and if the individual continues to engage in risky behaviors, transmission of the disease is likely to occur. At the present time it is believed that the modes of transmission of the HIV virus are clearly identified and understood. Although generally perceived by the public as a sexually transmitted disease, the method of HIV transmission is far broader than simple sexual contact. As previously stated a force virus requires a host organism to survive. Once leaving the human body the virus is extremely fragile and cannot survive outside of a host. Thus, HIV is transferred from person to person through infected body fluids including blood, semen, breast milk, pericardial, synovial, and amniotic fluids. It has been discovered that not all body fluids, which contain HIV, transmit the virus for saliva, urine, tears and feces have been proved that they do not transmit the disease. Further, the ability for HIV to be transmitted via an infected fluid from one human to another is mitigated by a variety of variables such as duration and frequency of exposure, the amount of the virus inoculated and last but not least the efficiency of the immune system. Once the virus has been passed to another individual, the newly infected individual then is immediately capable of passing the virus to yet another individual. However, there are apparently cycles when the probability of transmission is greater than others. The greatest potential for transmission occurs immediately after infected and during their end stages of the disease. Nonetheless, it must be stressed that it is possible for HIV to be transmitted at anytime during the entire disease spectrum. As a practical matter, the most common method of transmission of HIV is through sexual contact. Throughout the world it is believed that 75% of the total AIDS cases were the result of sexual contact. Yet, undoubtedly, the most powerful form of transmission from one human to another of the HIV virus is through direct blood transfusions employing infected blood. However, this has resulted in a miniscule number of cases. But the accidental or intentional use of contaminated injecting equipment is the third most common method of HIV transmission. The frequency of transmission being in the deliberate and repeated use