Write a detailed note on AIDS

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.

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