This document provides an overview of HIV/AIDS, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. It discusses that HIV weakens the immune system, leading to AIDS if untreated. HIV can be transmitted sexually, through blood or breastfeeding. Early symptoms may include flu-like illness, while later symptoms indicate late-stage infection. Diagnosis involves blood tests to detect HIV. While there is no cure, antiretroviral treatment can control the virus and prevent transmission. Prevention methods include safe sex practices, not sharing drug equipment, and pre-exposure or post-exposure prophylaxis. Proper treatment and adherence are important for long-term management.

1. Submitted by MeerabTanveer

2. Table of contents
Sr no Topics
1 Introduction
2 Overview
3 Causes
4 Mechanism
5 Transmission
6 Symptoms
7 Diagnosis
8 Treatment
9 Prevention
10 Management

3. AIDS
 AIDS(acquired immunodeficiency syndrome)isa syndromecaused by a
viruscalled HIV (human immunodeficiency virus).
 The disease alters the immunesystem, makingpeoplemuch more
vulnerableto infections and diseases. This susceptibility worsensas the
syndromeprogresses.
 HIV is found throughoutallthe tissues of the body but is transmitted via
the body fluidsof an infected person (semen, vaginal fluids, blood, and
breast milk).
Overview
HIV and AIDS: What are they?
HIV is the virus, which attacks the T-cells (CD-4 cells) in the immunesystem.
AIDSis the syndrome, whichappearsin the advanced stage of HIV infection.
HIV is a virus.
AIDS is a medical condition.
 HIV infection can cause AIDSto develop. However, it is possible to be
infected with HIV without developingAIDS.
 Without treatment, the HIV infection can progressand, eventually, it
will develop into AIDS in the vast majority of cases.
 Once someonehas received an AIDSdiagnosis, it will alwayscarry over
with them in their medical history.

4. Causes
Causes of HIV and AIDS
 HIV can be passed fromone personto another through blood-to-blood and
sexual contact.
 HIV is a retrovirusthat infects the vital organsand cells of the human
immunesystem.
 The virusprogressesin the absence of antiretroviral therapy (ART) - a
drugtherapy that slows or preventsthe growth of new HIV viruses.
 The rate of virusprogression varieswidely between individualsand
dependson many factors;
 These factors includethe age of the patient, the body'sability to defend
against HIV, access to healthcare, existence of other infections, the
infected person'sgeneticinheritance, resistance to certain strains of
HIV, and more.
Replication

5. How is HIV transmitted?
1) Sexual transmission
 It can happen when there is contact with infected sexual fluids(rectal,
genital, or oral mucousmembranes).
 This can happen while havingunprotected sex, includingvaginal, oral,
and anal sex, or sharing sex toys with someoneinfected with HIV.
2) Perinatal transmission
 A mother can passthe infection on to her child duringchildbirth,
pregnancy, and also through breastfeeding.
3) Blood transmission
 The risk of transmitting HIV through blood transfusion is nowadays
extremely low in developed countries, thanksto meticulous screening
and precautions. However, amonginjection or IV drugusers, sharing
and reusingsyringescontaminated with HIV-infected blood is
extremely hazardous.
Symptoms
HIV symptoms
 For the most part, the symptomsof HIV are the result of infections
caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and/or parasites.
 These conditionsdo not normally develop in individualswithhealthy
immunesystems, which protect the body against infection.

6. Symptoms of early HIV infection
Many peoplewith HIV have no symptomsfor severalmonths to even years
after becoming infected. Others may develop symptomssimilar to flu, usually
2-6 weeks after catching the virus.
The symptomsof early HIV infection may include:
 fever
 chills
 joint pain
 muscleaches
 sore throat
 sweats (particularly at night)
 enlarged glands
 a red rash
 tiredness
 weakness
 unintentionalweight loss
Asymptomatic HIV
In many cases, after the initial symptomsdisappear, therewill not be any
further symptomsfor many years.
Duringthis time, the viruscarries on developingand damagingthe immune
system and organs. Without being on medications to stop HIV's replication,
this processcan take up to 10 yearson average. The infected person often
experiences no symptoms, feelswell, and appearshealthy.

7. Late-stage HIV infection
If left untreated, HIV weakensthe ability to fight infection. The person
becomes vulnerableto serious illnesses. This stage of infection is known as
AIDS.
Symptomsof late-stage HIV infection may include:
 blurred vision
 diarrhea which is usually persistentor chronic
 dry cough
 fever of above 100 °F(37 °C) lasting for weeks
 night sweats
 permanenttiredness
 shortness of breath (dyspnea)
 swollen glands lasting for weeks
 unintentionalweight loss
 white spots on the tongueor mouth
Duringlate-stage HIV infection, the risk of developinga life-threatening illness
is much greater. Life-threatening illnesses may be controlled, avoided,and/or
treated with proper medications, often includingHIV treatment.
HIV and AIDS myths and facts
There are many misconceptionsabout HIV and AIDS. The virus CANNOT be
transmitted from:
 shaking hands
 hugging
 casual kissing
 sneezing
 touching unbroken skin
 usingthe same toilet
 sharing towels
 sharing cutlery
 mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
 sharing cutlery
 mouth-to-mouth resuscitation

8. Diagnosis
Diagnosis of HIV and AIDS
The CDC (Centersfor Disease Controland Prevention)estimate that about 1
in every 8 HIV-positive .
HIV blood tests and results
 Diagnosis is madethrough a blood test that screens specifically for the
virus. If the HIV virushas been found, thetest result is "positive." The
blood is re-tested several times before a positive result is given to the
patient.
 If a person has been exposed to the virus, it is crucial that they get
tested as soon as possible. The earlier HIV is detected, the more likely
the treatment will be successful. A home testing kit can be used as well.
 After infection with HIV, it can take from 3 weeks to 6 months for the
virusto show up in testing. Re-testing may be necessary. If the moment
a patient was most at risk of infection was within the last 6 months, they
can have the test immediately. However, the provider willurgethat
another test be carried out within a few weeks.
Treatment
AIDS treatments
 The red ribbonis the worldwide symbol of support and awarenessfor
people living with HIV.
 There is currently no curefor HIV or AIDS. Treatments can slow the
courseof the condition - and allow most infected peoplethe opportunity
to live a long and relatively healthy life.
 Earlier HIV antiretroviral treatment is crucial - it improvesquality of
life, extendslife expectancy, and reducesthe risk of transmission,
according to the World Health Organization'sguidelinesissued in June
2013.
 Currently, thereis no vaccine or curefor HIV, but treatments have
evolved which are much moreeffective and better tolerated - they can

9. improvepatients' general health and quality of life considerably, in as
little as one pill per day.
Emergency HIV pills (post-exposure prophylaxis)
 If an individualbelieves they have been exposed to the viruswithin the
last 72 hours(3 days), anti-HIV medications, called PEP (post-exposure
prophylaxis) may stop infection. The treatment should be taken as soon
as possible after contact with the virus.
 PEP is a very demandingtreatmentlasting 4 weeks, a total of 28 days. It
can be associated with unpleasantsideeffects (diarrhea, nausea,
and headache).
 After a positiveHIV diagnosis, regular blood tests are necessary to
monitor the progressof the virusbeforestarting treatment. The therapy
is designed to reducethe level of HIV in the blood, which has many
benefits. Antiretroviraldrugs
 HIV is treated with antiretrovirals (ARVs). The treatment fights the HIV
infection and slowsdown the spread of the virusin the body. Generally,
patients take a combination of medicationscalled HAART(highly active
antiretroviraltherapy) or cART(combination antiretroviral therapy).
 The combination of drugsis adapted to each individual. HIVtreatment is
usually permanentand lifelong. HIV treatment is based on routine
dosage. Pills mustbe taken on a regular schedule, every time. Each class
of ARVshas differentside effects, but some possible common side
effects may includenausea, fatigue, diarrhea, headache, skin rashes, or
moodiness.
Complementary or alternative medicine
 Although widely used, alternative pr complementary medications, such
as herbal ones, have not been proven to be effective.
 Accordingto some limited studies, mineral or vitamin supplementsmay
providesomebenefits in overallhealth.
 Patients are urged to discuss these optionswith their providers
especially because some of these options, even vitamin supplements,
may have druginteractions with ARVs.

10. Prevention
HIV prevention
To preventbeing infected with HIV, healthcare professionalsadvise
precautionsrelated to:
1) Unprotected sex
 Havingsex without a condom can puta person at risk of being infected
with HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
 HIV can be spread by having unprotected sex (vaginal, oral, and/or anal
sex).
 It can also be caught from sharing sex toys with someoneinfected with
HIV.
 Condomsshould beused with every sexualact.
2) Drug abuse and needle sharing
 Intravenousdruguseis an importantfactor in HIV transmission in
developed countries.
 Sharing needles can exposeusers to HIV and other viruses, such
as hepatitis C. Strategies such as needle-exchange programsareused to
reducethe infectionscaused by drugabuse.
 If someoneneedsto use a needle, it mustbe a clean, unused, unshared
needle.
3) Body fluid exposure
 Exposure to HIV can be controlled by employing precautions to reduce the
risk of exposure to contaminated blood.
 At all times, healthcare workers should use barriers (gloves, masks,
protective eyewear, shields, and gowns).
 Frequent and thorough washing of the skin immediately after being
contaminated with blood or other bodily fluids can reduce the chance of
infection.

11. 4) Pregnancy
 Some ARVs can harm the unborn child. But an effective treatment plan
can preventHIV transmission from mother to baby.
 Precautionshave to be taken to protect the baby's health. Delivery
through caesarean section may be necessary.
 HIV-infected mothers should not breastfeed.
Education
Health education is an importantfactor in reducingrisky behavior.
Management
Managing HIV
a) Adherence
 HIV treatment is effective if the patient is committed and constant in
taking the medication on time.
 Missingeven a few doses may jeopardizethe treatment. A daily,
methodical routineshould be programmed to fit the treatment plan
around the patient'slifestyle and schedule.
 A treatment plan for one person may not be the same treatment plan for
another. "Adherence" is sometimes known as"compliance".
b) General Health
 It is crucial for patients to take medication correctly and take steps to
avoid illness.
 Patients should seek to improvetheir general health and reducethe risk
of falling ill by practicing regular exercise, healthy eating, and not
smoking.
Additional precautions
 HIV-infected peopleshould be extra cautiousto preventexposureto
infection.

12.  They should be carefularound animals, avoid cominginto contact with
cat litter, and animal feces, and often birdstoo.
 Meticulousand regular washing of handsis recommended.
Long-term condition
 HIV is a lasting condition, and therefore patients have to be in regular
contact with their healthcare team.
 Treatment plan is reviewed regularly.
Psychological
 Common misconceptionsaboutAIDSand HIV are diminishing. However,
the stigma of the condition persists in many partsof the world.
 Peopleinfected with the virusmay feel excluded, rejected,
discriminated, and isolated.
 Beingdiagnosed with HIV can be very distressing, and feelings
of anxiety or depression are common.
 If you feel anxiousor have symptomsof depression seek medical help
immediately