AIDS and HIV - Causes, Symptoms & Prevention

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which means that it weakens the immune system. AIDS is also known as Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; this would technically be the last stage of infection from HIV. The topic of HIV is covered in the chapter "Human Health and Diseases" in Biology. This article attempts to sum up HIV and AIDS, their differences, transmission, symptoms, and prevention strategies. The students preparing for exams like CBSE, NEET, AIIMS, JIPMER, and State PMTs, can expect a wide variety of questions based on this topic.

What Is HIV?

HIV is the virus that attacks and destroys CD4 cells, which are a class of T lymphocytes important for the proper functioning of the immune system. Without treatment, HIV will cause many diseases and some cancers to occur over time. HIV is transmitted through certain body fluids, but not through casual contact, water, or air.

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History Of HIV

An African chimpanzee species infected humans with HIV. According to studies, HIV may have spread from chimpanzees to humans as early as the late 1800s. Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) is the name of the virus that affects chimpanzees. It most likely spread to people when they killed these chimpanzees for food and came into touch with their infected blood. HIV progressively expanded over Africa over many years, then to other regions of the world.

Key Characteristics Of HIV

Read about the key characteristics of HIV:

• Weakened immune system

• CD4 cell destroyer

• Transmitted by some forms of body fluid

• Is not transmitted using casual contact, water or the atmosphere

Stages Of HIV

• Stage I - Acute HIV infection - High amount of HIV present in the blood and show Flu-like symptoms.
• Stage II - Chronic HIV infection - Asymptomatic HIV infection or clinical latency are other names for this stage. The virus is still active. During this period, people may not show any symptoms or get ill, but they can still transmit HIV. Those who adhere to the recommended HIV treatment regimen may never enter Stage 3 (AIDS). This stage could continue for a decade or longer without HIV therapy, or it might move forward very quickly. Hence the incubation period of HIV is 10 years. The person may enter Stage 3 at this stage's conclusion due to an increase in the viral load of HIV in the blood.
• Stage III - AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) - The most advanced and severe stage of HIV.

Risk Factors Of Contracting HIV/AIDS

People are more likely to get HIV when they engage in the following behaviours and circumstances:

• Sharing contaminated needles, syringes, and other injecting equipment and drug solutions when injecting drugs

• Engaging in condom-free anal or vaginal sex

• Having another STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) like syphilis, herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and bacterial vaginosis

• Receiving unsafe injections, blood transfusions, and medical procedures that involve unsterile instruments.

What Is AIDS?

AIDS is the third and final stage of HIV infection. Most people infected with HIV do not develop AIDS. AIDS is diagnosed when the CD4 count of an HIV patient falls below 200 cells per cubic millimetre of blood or when certain opportunistic infections or cancers are present. If untreated, HIV may progress to AIDS in as long as 10 years.

Difference Between AIDS And HIV

There is often a question: "Is AIDS and HIV the same?" The full forms of AIDS and HIV are Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome and Human Immunodeficiency Virus, respectively. Taking the full form of AIDS and HIV into consideration, we can conclude that both are interdependent, meaning that while HIV is the virus causing the condition, AIDS represents the advanced stage of that infection. Knowing the difference between AIDS and HIV would further enhance awareness.

What Causes AIDS And HIV?

HIV is easily passed with the following body fluids. Here are some instances of

AIDS And HIV Symptoms

• At 2-4 weeks post-exposure, acute manifestations of HIV infection are reported as flu-like symptoms, sometimes cycling on and off.

• If left untreated, HIV progresses to AIDS, which may exhibit some serious opportunistic infections and cancers in due course.

Diagnosis Of HIV

There are various tests to detect HIV including antibody tests, antibody/antigen tests, and NATs. The duration taken by the above tests for detecting HIV differs.

• HIV Tests

• Tests Types

• Antibody tests

• Antibody/antigen tests

• Nucleic acid tests (NAT)

HIV/AIDS Treatment

• Antiretroviral therapy (ART) manages HIV transmission.

• ART retards viral replication, allows the healing process of the body but cannot eradicate HIV.

Prevention Of AIDS And HIV

Some measures for the prevention of AIDS and HIV are as follows:

The prevention of AIDS and HIV is necessary as it can save a lot of lives that are lost due to the onset of AIDS and HIV.

Tips, Tricks And Strategies To Prepare For AIDS And HIV

Some tricks and tips to revise the topic soon are given below:

AIDS vs. HIV:

• AIDS is the last stage of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus).

• Mnemonic: Advanced Infection = AIDS, HIV = Human Virus.

Full Forms:

Write the full form of AIDS and HIV:

• AIDS: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

• HIV: Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Symptoms:

• Common aids and HIV symptoms are the flu-like signs initially, that turn to severe opportunistic infections in AIDS.

• Mnemonic: Fever, Rash, Swollen lymph nodes = early signs of HIV.

Progression:

• If not treated, then the cause of AIDS and HIV progression is the destruction of CD4 cells by HIV which destroys the immune system.

• Mnemonic: CD4 = Critical cells; their loss leads to AIDS.

Difference Between AIDS and HIV:

• Understanding the difference between AIDS and HIV is important; not all people with HIV will develop AIDS if treated appropriately.

• Mnemonic: HIV = Virus, while AIDS = Condition.

Preventive Measures:

• Aids/HIV-Effective preventives are regular testing, safe sex, and no sharing needles.

• Mnemonic: Test, Safe sex, and don't share = prevention.

Weightage Of HIV And AIDS Topics in Different Entrance Exams

This table will provide a view of the weightage assigned to the topic of HIV and AIDS in various entrance exams to help students understand and concentrate effectively on their study efforts.

Types Of Questions Asked On The Topic Of HIV And AIDS In Different Exams

When preparing for exams like CBSE, NEET, and others, students can expect various types of questions related to the topic of HIV and AIDS.

Table of Types of Questions

This table provides a concise overview of the types of questions that may be asked regarding HIV and AIDS, helping students focus their studies effectively.

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