How Does AIDS Affect the Immune System?
The term AIDS refers to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome caused by the HIV virus. AIDS is a condition in which the person’s Immune system weakens to an extent where it is unable to fight any infection. AIDS is commonly considered to be the last stage of HIV infection; the body completely loses its defense system and this further causes illness. Loss of immunity causes organ failure and ultimately death. HIV is a type of retrovirus. Its genetic material is RNA and is called the human immuno deficiency virus.
HIV (Human immunoDeficiency virus) is the virus or germ that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). Acquired refers to getting infected with it, Immune Deficiency refers to a weakness in the body's system that fights diseases, whereas Syndrome refers to a group of health problems that make up a disease.
It is vital to get AIDS diagnosed when one develops certain OIs, or his/her CD4 cell count drops below 200 cells per milliliter of blood. An official list of Ols from CDC includes Kaposi sarcoma (KS), a skin cancer, Cytomegalovirus (CMV), an infection that usually affects the eyes, Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), a lung infection, and Candidiasis, a fungal infection that can cause thrush (a white film in the mouth) or infections in the vagina or throat.
How Does AIDS Affect the Eye?
AIDS causes a breakdown of the Immune system of the body, and therefore all parts of the body can get an infection including the eye. People who are in good health, when diagnosed with AIDS are less likely to have eye problems associated with a suppressed Immune system. It is estimated that 70% of patients with advanced AIDS undergo eye disorders.
The following are the AIDS-related eye problems because of a suppressed Immune system,
HIV retinopathy
Detached retina
CMV retinitis
Kaposi sarcoma
Squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva
Causes of AIDS
HIV is held responsible for affecting the macrophages present in the blood of the human body. HIV was instigated in non-human primates and eventually spread to hominids over the eons. So, what accurately is the distinction between AIDS and HIV? Principally, HIV is the virus that sources AIDS. It causes destruction on the body’s immunity up until it is incompetent of fending off diseases on its own. It is a retrovirus and has RNA as the genetic material.
On infection, the RNA of the virus enters the host cell.
Through reverse transcription, DNA production is carried out.
This DNA is integrated into the genome of the host here it multiplies exponentially to form RNA copies
These RNA copies turn into virus copies and infect the bloodstream.
HIV also does the same in T lymphocytes thereby decreasing the immunity of the body
Even minor infections do not get treated because of an immunocompromised system.
Apart from this, significant weight loss, fever bouts and diarrhea are also observed.
Symptoms of AIDS
The Symptoms of HIV typically fluctuate from individual to individual and in several cases, a patient festering with the HIV infection may not undergo any indications at all. The common signs and symptoms of HIV include:
Fever
Diarrhoea
Red rashes on the body
Fatigue
Chills
Headache
Joint pains
Sore throat
Nausea
Shortness of breath
Blurred vision
Muscle aches
Sweating during the night
Enlarged Glands
How Do People Know if They Have AIDS?
AIDS generally is transmitted through contact with infected blood and also bodily fluids. Such contact can occur through sharing of needles or other drug-injection equipment, through unprotected sex, through receipt of infected blood transfusions, through mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and also through plasma products during medical care in some cases. Currently, there is no cure for AIDS. Once an individual gets AIDS, he or she has it for life.
When an individual gets infected with HIV, the body will try to fight the infection by making antibodies (also called special Immune molecules the body makes to fight HIV). Individuals who have HIV antibodies are called "HIV-Positive." However, Being HIV-positive, or having HIV disease, is not the same as having AIDS. It has been observed that many people who are HIV-positive do not get sick for many years. HIV disease slows down the Immune system as it spreads in the body. On the other hand, parasites, fungi, viruses and bacteria that usually don't cause any problems can make an individual very sick if his/her Immune system is damaged. These are referred to as opportunistic infections.
Mode of Transmission of HIV-AIDS
The HIV infection spreads in the course of the following ways:
Unprotected sexual interaction with a previously infected person.
Reusing needles used up by an infected individual.
From a deceased mother to the baby through the placenta.
Blood transfusion from an infected individual.
The incubation period of this virus is relatively large and it takes ample time to attack the system, sometimes even 10 years. HIV makes it hard for the patient to ward off any illness.
Prevention of AIDS
HIV infection can be uncovered with the help of an assessment termed ELISA which is the full form of ‘Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay’. AIDS is fatal; thus, HIV prevention is the most reliable option. For example – Using one-use needles, practising protected sex, i.e., use of safety like condoms, regular health check-ups and regulating blood transfusion and pregnancy can help in the prevention of AIDS. One more imperative influence is the awareness of AIDS. As it does not spread by simple physical contact, the infected individuals ought to not be distinguished and must be preserved in an approachable way.
Side-Effects of AIDS
As discussed AIDS is an advanced HIV infection or late-stage HIV. Someone with AIDS may acquire a wide range of health disorders like – pneumonia, thrush, fungal infections, TB, toxoplasmosis and cytomegalovirus. There is also an amplified danger of obtaining a medical illness like cancer and brain illnesses.
Cure for AIDS
There is no precise or absolute cure for AIDS, but with appropriate diagnosis, management and facility, one can combat it and live a comparatively hale and hearty and happy life. One must take treatment appropriately and deal with any conceivable side effects. Medications are used to discontinue the virus from reproducing. One major treatment for HIV/AIDS is called antiretroviral therapy (ART).
Remaining on effective ART with an undetectable HIV viral load in the blood is the best way for you to stay healthy. For ART to be operative, it's significant that you take the drugs as prescribed, without missing or avoiding any doses.
FAQs on AIDS Explained: Definition, Symptoms, Causes & Prevention
1. What does the acronym AIDS stand for, and what is its basic definition?
AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. It is not a single disease but a syndrome, which is a group of health problems that make up a disease. AIDS represents the advanced stage of infection by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). It is characterised by a severely weakened immune system that becomes unable to fight off infections and diseases, leading to life-threatening opportunistic infections.
2. What is the causative agent of AIDS?
The causative agent of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). HIV is a type of retrovirus, which means its genetic material is RNA, not DNA. Upon infecting a human cell, it uses an enzyme called reverse transcriptase to convert its RNA into DNA, which is then integrated into the host cell's genome.
3. What is the fundamental difference between being HIV-positive and having AIDS?
The key difference lies in the stage and severity of the infection.
- HIV-positive means a person has been infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The body produces antibodies against the virus, which can be detected in a test. At this stage, the person may not show any severe symptoms for many years, as the immune system is still functional.
- AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is the final and most severe stage of an HIV infection. It is diagnosed when the virus has severely damaged the immune system. This is typically determined when the count of a specific immune cell, the CD4 helper T-cell, drops below 200 cells per cubic millimetre of blood, or when the person develops one or more specific opportunistic infections.
4. How is the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) transmitted from one person to another?
HIV is transmitted through contact with specific bodily fluids from an infected person. It does not spread through casual contact like hugging, sharing meals, or insect bites. The primary modes of transmission are:
- Unprotected Sexual Contact: Intercourse with an infected person without using a condom.
- Sharing of Needles: Reusing needles or syringes contaminated with infected blood, common among intravenous drug users.
- Blood Transfusion: Receiving blood or blood products that are contaminated with HIV.
- Mother to Child: Transmission from an infected mother to her baby during pregnancy, childbirth, or through breastfeeding.
5. What are the common symptoms associated with the progression to AIDS?
When HIV infection progresses to AIDS, the body's immune system is severely compromised. This leads to a variety of symptoms, largely due to opportunistic infections. Key indicators include:
- Significant and unexplained weight loss
- Chronic diarrhoea lasting for more than a month
- Persistent high fever and night sweats
- Swollen lymph nodes in the armpits, groin, or neck
- Development of opportunistic infections like Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), Kaposi's sarcoma (a type of cancer), or severe fungal infections like thrush (candidiasis) in the mouth and throat.
6. Why is HIV classified as a retrovirus, and how does this property enable it to cause AIDS?
HIV is called a retrovirus because its genetic code is stored in RNA, and it replicates in a 'backward' or 'retro' manner compared to normal cells. Here's how this unique property leads to AIDS:
- Infection: The virus primarily targets helper T-cells (CD4 cells), which are crucial for coordinating the body's immune response.
- Reverse Transcription: Once inside a helper T-cell, HIV uses its enzyme, reverse transcriptase, to create a DNA copy of its RNA genome.
- Integration: This newly formed viral DNA is then inserted into the host cell's own DNA. The infected cell now has the viral genetic code permanently integrated.
- Replication: The host cell, now acting like a factory, starts producing new HIV particles. These new viruses bud off from the cell to infect other helper T-cells.
7. What are opportunistic infections, and why are they a major concern for individuals with AIDS?
Opportunistic infections (OIs) are illnesses caused by various pathogens (like bacteria, viruses, fungi, or protozoa) that do not typically cause disease in people with a healthy immune system. They are a major concern for individuals with AIDS because their immune systems are severely weakened (immunocompromised). A damaged immune system provides an 'opportunity' for these pathogens to thrive and cause serious, often life-threatening, illnesses. Examples of OIs in AIDS patients include Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), Tuberculosis (TB), and Kaposi's sarcoma.
8. What diagnostic test is primarily used to detect HIV infection?
The primary screening test used to detect HIV infection is the ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay). This blood test does not detect the virus itself but looks for the presence of antibodies that the body produces in response to the HIV infection. If the initial ELISA test is positive, a more specific confirmatory test, such as the Western Blot test, is typically performed to ensure an accurate diagnosis.
9. What is the role of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) in managing HIV/AIDS?
While there is currently no cure for AIDS, its progression can be effectively managed with Antiretroviral Therapy (ART). ART is not a cure; it is a treatment regimen consisting of a combination of several medicines that work to suppress the HIV virus. The primary goals of ART are to:
- Reduce the amount of HIV in the body (the viral load) to undetectable levels.
- Slow down the destruction of the immune system.
- Prevent the progression to AIDS and the development of opportunistic infections.
- Reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to others.
10. What preventive measures are crucial to avoid contracting HIV?
Prevention is the most effective strategy against HIV/AIDS. Key preventive measures include:
- Practising Safe Sex: Consistently and correctly using condoms during any sexual activity.
- Avoiding Shared Needles: Never sharing or reusing needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment.
- Ensuring Safe Blood: Verifying that any blood for transfusion has been screened for HIV.
- Preventing Mother-to-Child Transmission: Infected pregnant women should seek medical care and take prescribed ART to significantly reduce the risk of passing the virus to their baby.
- Health Education: Spreading awareness about the modes of transmission and promoting responsible behaviour is vital for public health.
