AIDS - What is AIDS?

AIDS, or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, is a serious condition caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) that severely weakens the immune system, making individuals susceptible to opportunistic infections and certain cancers. The topic of AIDS is covered in the chapter "Human Health and Diseases" in Class 12 Biology Subject. Understanding “what is AIDS?” involves recognising the AIDS symptoms, AIDS meaning, and the difference between HIV and AIDS which has been perfectly described in this article. Students preparing for exams such as CBSE, NEET, AIIMS, JIPMER, and State PMTs can anticipate a wide range of questions based on this critical topic.

What is AIDS?

AIDS refers to the final stage of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection at which the virus severely weakens the body's immune system. HIV is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). HIV is a lentivirus which means a "slow virus"). This lentivirus is a member of the retrovirus family which slowly attacks and destroys the immune system. This leads to a variety of other common infections and makes people vulnerable to death.

The Emergence of AIDS

• In 1982, researchers coined the term "AIDS" as they realized the impact of the virus beyond its earlier connection to certain groups of people.

• On June 5, 1981, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report that five gay men in Los Angeles had a rare type of lung infection called Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.

• Initially, some researchers seemed to confine themselves to homosexuals, hence the name Gay-Related Immune Deficiency Syndrome (GRID).

• The disease was commonly referred to in the media as the "gay plague."

• However, the disease was also identified in her IDU, who was infected primarily through sharing contaminated hypodermic needles.

• It has also been observed in women who have male sexual partners.

• As a result, the term "acquired immune deficiency syndrome," or AIDS, was introduced to describe the disease.

• The CDC published its first report using the term in 1982. By 1984, researchers working in Africa provided clear evidence of heterosexual transmission of HIV.

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Causes of AIDS

AIDS is caused by HIV infection. This happens when an individual develops HIV that later kills CD4 cells, famously known as T cells, hence becoming key players in fighting infections. The disease eventually becomes AIDS if it is not treated. The causes of AIDS are described below:

• Lack of Treatment: HIV, in the absence of ART, progresses to AIDS after around 10 to 15 years.

• Co-infections: Other infections or diseases can add up to the harm that HIV has caused to the body.

• Malnutrition: A weak body due to malnutrition makes it harder for people to resist infections.

Knowing the causes of AIDS helps prevent its progression.

Symptoms of AIDS

The symptoms of AIDS can vary greatly depending on the stage of HIV infection. The following table is a summary of the stages and their symptoms:

How AIDS is Transmitted

• AIDS, or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

• The need for spreading these facts helps avoid spreading myths and thereby de-stigmatizing such a disease.

• Many people are wrongly assuming that they can contract AIDS through common interaction; however, this is not so.

Types of Transmissions

AIDS is not spread through the air, water, or even from touching someone. It is obtained from particular body fluids:

• Blood: Blood from an infected person is acquired through blood transfused into a healthy body. This risk is much reduced due to very vigorous screening of blood supplies.

• Semen: Unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person transfers the virus from an HIV-positive body to a healthy one. Anal is riskier than vaginal sex.

• Breast Milk: A baby breastfed from an infected mother introduces the virus into the baby's body

• Fluid from vagina and Rectum: These fluids also carry HIV, thus transmission occurs during sexual activities.

• Needles: Infection by HIV occurs through the shared use of needles or syringes with someone who has HIV, hence injecting the virus directly into a healthy person's bloodstream.

Perinatal Transmission

• AIDS can be transferred from an infected mother to her baby during pregnancy, birth, or even in breastfeeding.

• Antiretroviral drugs can significantly reduce the chances of infection for babies whose mothers have HIV.

Prevention of AIDS

Prevention of the passage of HIV and therefore AIDS entails several techniques:

Difference Between HIV and AIDS

Understanding that there's a difference between HIV and AIDS is important for awareness:

Information About AIDS

• Historical Background: The cases identified at the time to be known as AIDS were first reported among gay men in Los Angeles during the year 1981.

• Global Impact: An estimated 39 million people are now living with HIV/AIDS around the globe.

• Treatment Milestone: Modern antiretroviral therapy (ART) allows a person infected with HIV to lead a virtually normal life if they adhere to their schedule of treatment.

• Myths about Transmissions: Most people believe that HIV can be transmitted by casual contact: hugging, kissing, touching, saliva, or other casual contact; and it cannot because it is not possible through saliva or casual contact.

• Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U): If the person living with HIV is on treatment and has an undetectable viral load, they are not able to transmit the virus sexually

Tips, Tricks and Strategies to Prepare for AIDS:

Some important tips and tricks to help you remember the important information:

Mnemonic for Stages of AIDS Symptoms:

• Use this mnemonic "A-F-W-R" to memorize the stages

• Acute(similar to flu)

• Fatigue(chronic)

• Weight loss(fast)

• Recurring fever(night sweats)

Transmission Reminder:

• Memorize the mnemonic "B-S-N-P" modes of transmission

• Blood

• Semen

• Needles

• Perinatally (mother to child)

Prevention Strategy:

• Condoms(always make use)

• Avoid needle injection

• Testing periodically

• Counsel partners

Weightage of Topics of AIDS in Different Entrance Exams

This table will present a view of the weightage assigned to the topic of AIDS through various entrance exams so that students can understand and concentrate properly on their study efforts.

Types of Questions Asked on the Topic Of AIDS In Different Exams

During preparation for CBSE, NEET, and the like, students might get diverse questions based on the topic of AIDS :

Conclusion

Although there is still no cure for the ailment, effective treatment with ART has made it possible to treat HIV infection effectively and meaningfully and significantly improve quality of life. Initiatives such as early diagnosis and continuous follow-up care are important measures for people living with HIV and AIDS to prevent them from becoming AIDS.

Understanding AIDS symptoms (including specific AIDS symptoms), AIDS meaning (the AIDS meaning in context), and the causes of AIDS is essential for awareness and prevention efforts. By maintaining awareness about how aids are caused and recognizing the difference between HIV and AIDS (the difference between HIV and AIDS ), individuals can take proactive steps toward health management and reducing transmission risks.

In a nutshell:

• The detection of early signs such as flu-like symptoms may be crucial in ascertaining what is AIDS.

• Testing should be frequent among those risk-prone individuals.

• Antiretroviral treatment will check or even delay the onset of HIV to AIDS.

By staying informed about these aspects related to aids—its symptoms (including specific aids symptoms), causes (the causes of aids), differences from HIV (the difference between HIV and aids)—and interesting facts about this condition—individuals can better protect themselves and others from this serious health issue.

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