Synonyms in a broader sense
Human – Immunodeficiency – Virus, immune diseaseEnglish: HIV, human- immunodeficiency virus
Definition
AIDS stands for a disease called aquired immunodeficiency syndrome, which is caused by the HIV virus. The HI virus is an RNA virus from the group of retroviruses. It only attacks certain cells that belong to the defence system / immune system and the nervous system.
Summary
HIV is an RNA virus that causes the disease AIDS. To be HIV positive does not mean to be sick with AIDS. AIDS is the name for the disease that has broken out.
The disease spread from Africa to the whole world and is still increasing today. There are 2 different HI- viruses. The infection mostly occurs through sexual contact, through infected needles during drug abuse or through infected blood products.
The HI- virus only attacks cells that have special characteristics on their surface (also called CD4- cells). These cells are part of the body’s defence/immune system, which weakens it considerably. The disease is divided into different stages, whereby only the final stage is called AIDS.
Frequently, infections with pathogens occur, which are usually completely harmless for healthy people with an intact immune system. The diagnosis is made by detecting antibodies against the virus or even by direct detection of the virus. So-called NRTI, NNRTI or PI (see Therapy AIDS) are used for therapy. Since the disease is still incurable and there is no vaccination, prophylaxis is of particular importance. Since AIDS is one of the venereal diseases, education of risk groups about the routes of infection, the use of condoms (“safe sex”) and the containment of prostitution play a major role.
Epidemiology
The oldest confirmed HIV infection originated in Zaire in 1959, and from 1980 the virus spread from Central Africa via the Caribbean to the USA. From there the disease spread to Europe and other regions. The disease mainly affected homosexual men and i. v. drug addicts. However, transmission through heterosexual contact is increasing steadily.
Diagnosis AIDS
The diagnosis of AIDS is made with the help of the patient’s medical history (interview) about the specific risk factors (holidays in risk areas, i. v. – drug abuse, blood transfusion, sexual contacts), the symptoms and the pathogen detection. To be able to detect AIDS in the blood, the patient’s declaration of consent must be obtained. Various methods are then available: Do you suffer from AIDS?
Find this out very simply – also possible at home – with the HIV rapid test. – Antibody detection: The antibody detection is only positive about 6 weeks after the initial infection. – Virus detection: Virus quantification (determination of the virus load for therapy control)
There are two forms of HIV: Usually one gets infected with one of these groups, although double infections can also occur.
The HI – virus belongs to the group of retroviruses and contains RNA. With the help of an enzyme it has the ability to convert its RNA (RNA), on which the genetic information of the virus is stored, into DNA (DNA). The virus directly damages the immune and nervous systems.
Although antibodies are formed in infected persons, the virus cannot be eliminated from the body. –> Continue to the topic HIV
- HIV 1: This is the most common type worldwide. There are three subgroups.
- HIV 2: There are six sub-groups, which occur predominantly in West Africa. There are three main ways of infection with HIV: Sexual Here the risk is mainly in unprotected sexual intercourse, especially in the risk areas. Homosexual men are most frequently affected.
Parenteral Here, i.v. drug abuse is one of the most dangerous types of infection, especially when so-called “needle sharing” is practised Infection via blood (products) (e.g. during transfusions) AIDS transmission from mother to child An HIV-positive mother transmits the virus to her unborn child in 15 – 20% of cases. With the help of chemoprophylaxis the risk decreases to below 3%.
- Here, i. v. drug abuse is one of the most dangerous types of infection, especially when so-called “needle sharing” is practised
- Infection via blood (products) (e.g. during transfusions)
- Accidental injuries in the medical field (very rare)
- Sexual Here the risk is mainly in unprotected sexual intercourse, especially in the risk areas. Homosexual men are most frequently affected. – Parenteral Here, i.v.
drug abuse is one of the most dangerous types of infection, especially when so-called “needle sharing” is practised Infection via blood (products) (e.g. during transfusions) Accidental injuries in the medical field (very rare)
- Here, i.v. drug abuse is one of the most dangerous types of infection, especially when so-called “needle sharing” is practised
- Infection via blood (products) (e.g. during transfusions)
- Accidental injuries in the medical field (very rare)
- Aids transmission from mother to child An HIV-positive mother transmits the virus to her unborn child in 15 – 20% of cases. With the help of chemoprophylaxis the risk decreases to below 3%.
