Live Life Team
Symptoms
The first HIV stage is called as primary stage of HIV infection. Once infected with the virus, around 60% show symptoms after six to two weeks from the time they came in contact with the virus.
Symptoms of HIV infection at primary stage include:
blotchy rash on chest
swollen glands
muscle pain
joint pain
tiredness
sore throat
fever
The symptoms at the initial stages are mild hence it often misunderstood for some other condition like glandular fever or common cold. Once the above listed symptoms occur initially, any more symptoms of HIV do not occur for years. It is called as asymptomatic HIV infection. During this course the virus is in a stage of reproducing and causing damage to the immune system.
Late-stage HIV infection
In case HIV is left untreated, the quantity of CD4 cells will decrease at a very dangerous level stopping the function of immune system completely. At least 10 years time is taken for this process. Serious infections are developed as the immune system is damaged. Symptoms for a severe infection as the immune system gets damaged include:
swollen glands lasting for three months or more
fever above 37C (100F) lasting for many weeks
breathlessness
dry cough
white spots in the mouth and tongue
blurred vision
persistent diarrhoea
weight loss
night sweats
persistent tiredness,
Cancers, pneumonia and TB are some illness related to AIDS. There are possibility to treat these to certain extent and the chances for improvement are possible if treatment is started and CD4 number increases.
Causes
The precise origin of HIV is still unknown, but scientist believe that some virus form called as SIVcpz (Simian Immunodeficiency Virus from chimps) was and may be still be present in few chimpanzees living across Africa. One of the theory also suggest that this virus came in contact with humans when they were hunting chimps as they closely came in contact with infected blood of chimpanzee. It is also believed that HIV virus of human form was limited to interior parts of Africa but with the new transportation facilities opened throughout Africa, the virus has spread across Africa and eventually the world.
How HIV spreads inside the body
Immune system uses cells of genetic code. The HIV virus breaks this genetic code particularly CD4 cells and later makes copies of them using raw genetic material. CD4 can be made by the body but in due course of time HIV virus decreases the quantity of CD4 cells to an extent that the functioning of the immune system stops completely.
How HIV spreads outside the body
By exchange of Fluids in Body HIV is spread like blood or semen. Sexual intercourse including anal and oral sex are responsible for passing this infection. People injecting drugs that are illegal and share the same needle are at high risk of getting HIV virus. This can also be passed on to the unborn child by her mother. However, this can be prevented now with the latest medication. Blood transfusion can also spread HIV. Since the year 1985 all blood donations should be screened before the transfusion, this is one of the UK policies. Since then HIV has not passed on by blood transfusion.
Screening policies in other developing parts of the world might not be very rigorous as in UK. Hence there are high risk factors for developing HIV if blood transfusion is received from developing parts of the world.
