Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: Symptoms and Causes

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS, is a chronic condition. It is brought on by the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV. HIV impairs immunological function, reducing the body's ability to fight against disease and infection. If therapy is not administered, HIV may take years to erode immune function to the point where AIDS manifests.

HIV can spread during sexual activity when engaging in sexual activity without the use of a condom or other touch with genitalia. This type of illness is called a sexually transmitted infection, or STI. HIV can also be spread by sharing syringes or needles or by blood contact.  HIV can potentially be transmitted to a child during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding in an untreated individual.

There is no treatment for HIV/AIDS. Nevertheless, drugs can control the infection and stop the sickness from getting worse. Antiviral treatments for HIV have led to a reduction in AIDS-related deaths worldwide. Increased access to HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention is a constant goal in low-resource countries.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Causes

HIV is caused by a virus. It may be spread by intercourse, sharing needles, injecting illicit drugs, and coming into contact with tainted blood. It can also spread from mother to child when breastfeeding or giving birth.

White blood cells called CD4 T cells are destroyed by HIV. The body's fight against disease depends heavily on these cells. A decline in CD4 T cell count weakens your immune system.

Also Read: Aicardi Syndrome Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Symptoms

HIV and AIDS can appear with a variety of symptoms, depending on the patient and stage of infection.

Primary infection sometimes referred to as acute HIV infection

Two to four weeks after the virus enters the body, some HIV-positive people may have a flu-like illness. This period can last a few days or several weeks. Some people have no symptoms at all at this period.

Possible symptoms include the following:

• Elevated body temperature
• Pain
• Aches in the muscles and joints.
• Distracted
• A painful throat and sore mouth.
• The neck is where nodes, or swollen lymph glands, are most commonly located.
• A bout of vomiting
• Weight loss
• Cough
• Sweats during the night

Because these symptoms could be so mild, they might go ignored. Still, you currently have a high viral load, or the amount of virus in your blood. Thus, the virus transmits more easily to other people during the first infection stage as opposed to the later stage.

Clinical latent infection, also known as chronic latent HIV infection

At this stage of infection, white blood cells, a component of the immune system as well as HIV are still present in the body. Nevertheless, a lot of people don't have any HIV-related diseases or symptoms throughout this time.

This phase may last for several years in people who are not getting antiretroviral therapy, or ART. Some people have even more severe diseases at a younger age.

HIV infection signs and symptoms

As the virus continues to spread and damage immune cells, you may have recurrent infections or chronic symptoms such as:

• Elevated temperature
• Tiredness
• Swelling lymph nodes are often one of the first indications of HIV infection
• Vomiting.
• Weight loss
• Thrush, a yeast infection of the mouth.
• Another term for herpes zoster is shingles.
• Pneumonia

Also Read: Abdominal Muscle Strain Treatment, Symptoms, and Causes

How Is Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Transmitted?

The global death rate from AIDS has dramatically decreased as a result of advancements in antiviral medication. Thanks to these life-saving medications, the majority of HIV-positive Americans living today are immune to AIDS. HIV frequently develops into AIDS in eight to ten years if treatment is not received.

An individual with AIDS has a highly impaired immune system. People living with HIV/AIDS are more vulnerable to infections that they otherwise wouldn't develop. Opportunistic infections or malignancies are the terms used to describe them. Some people may get opportunistic infections during the acute stage of their disease.

The following symptoms might be brought on by some of these conditions:

• Sweating
• Feels cold
• Fever that flares up again
• Chronic diarrhea
• Enlarged lymph nodes 
• Recurrent sores or white areas within the mouth or on the tongue.
• Persistent tiredness
• Weakness
• Rapid weight loss
• A cutaneous lump or rash

Also Read: Autism Spectrum Disorder: Causes, Risk Factors, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention

How might HIV lead to AIDS?

You may have HIV infection for years with little to no symptoms until it progresses to AIDS. when you get an AIDS-specific symptom, such as a severe infection or malignancy, or when your CD4 T cell count falls below 200.

Also Read: Galactosemia: Causes, Symptoms, Types, Diagnosis and Treatment

The HIV's mode of transmission

HIV can enter your body by contaminated semen, contaminated blood, or vaginal secretions. This might occur if you:

• Engage in a sexual activity. If you have anal or vaginal intercourse with an infected partner, you might get infected. There is less danger while having sex orally. Mouth sores and tiny rips that occur in the rectum or vagina during intercourse are two possible entry points for the virus into your body.
• Sharing the needles used to inject illegal substances. Sharing contaminated syringes and needles increases the risk of HIV infection and other infectious illnesses like hepatitis.
• Receive a blood transfusion. Sometimes donated blood might carry the virus. Hospitals and blood banks test given blood for HIV. As a result, there is not much risk in the locations where these safety precautions are in place. The risk may be greater in countries with few resources that are unable to screen every blood donor.
• Become pregnant, give birth, or carry on nursing a child. Pregnant HIV-positive mothers can spread the virus to their unborn children. Treatment for HIV infection during pregnancy can greatly lower the risk to the fetus.
  • Casual contact cannot result in the transmission of HIV. Consequently, it is impossible to spread HIV or AIDS through handshakes, dancing, kissing, or touching an infected individual. Guidelines for preventing HIV transmission. Insect bites, water, or the air cannot spread HIV. HIV cannot be spread through blood donation.

Also Read: Erythema Nodosum Causes, Treatment, Symptoms and Diagnosis

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Risk Factors

Any age, race, sexual orientation, or gender can be affected by HIV/AIDS. However, the things listed below increase your risk of HIV/AIDS the most:

• Engage in sexual activity without protection. Use a brand-new latex or polyurethane condom each time you engage in sexual activity. Compared to anal sex, vaginal sex is less dangerous. Your risk of HIV increases if you have several sexual partners.
• Have an STI. Open vaginal sores are a common side effect of STIs. These lesions are entry points for HIV.
• Inject illegal drugs. The danger of blood infection rises when syringes and needles are shared.

Also Read: Syphilis: Transmission, Causes, Symptoms, Types, Diagnosis and Treatment

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Diagnosis

Tests for HIV can be performed on blood or saliva. The tests include:

• Antigen- antibodies Test. Usually, for these tests, venous blood is utilized. We refer to materials on HIV as antigens. Most often, a few weeks after HIV exposure, they become detectable in the blood. The immune system creates antibodies in response to HIV. Blood antibodies might take weeks or months to form. A positive result from an antigen-antibody test can not appear for two to six weeks after HIV exposure.
• Antibodies testing. These tests look for HIV antibodies in blood or saliva. Antibody assays account for most rapid HIV tests. This includes self-tests conducted at home. For three to twelve weeks after exposure, an antibody test may not produce a positive result for HIV exposure.
• Nucleic acid tests (NATs). These tests determine if you have a virus in your blood or not. They use blood drawn from veins.
  • If you think you might have been exposed to HIV in the past few weeks, your doctor could advise NAT. NAT is the first test to provide a positive result for HIV exposure.
  • The appropriate HIV test for you should be discussed with your healthcare practitioner. If any of these tests yield negative results, you may need to have a follow-up test weeks or months later to confirm the findings.

Diagnostics and treatment for disease staging

If you have been diagnosed with HIV, get help from a professional with training in HIV diagnosis and treatment:

• Assess if more testing is required.
• Choose the antiretroviral therapy or ART, that is best for you.
• Monitor your progress and help you to stay healthy.

If you are diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, tests can help your doctor decide what kind of treatment is best for you. Among these are the following tests:

• T cell amount on CD4. White blood cells known as CD4 T cells are attacked and destroyed by HIV. AIDS can develop from HIV infection, even in the absence of symptoms, if your CD4 T cell count is less than 200.
• Virus load, also known as  HIV RNA. This test determines the level of the virus in your blood. The goal of HIV therapy is to attain undetectable viral loads, or viral loads that are so low in blood tests that they are not seen. By doing this, your chances of getting an opportunistic infection and other HIV-related problems are greatly decreased.
• Resistance to medicines. Drug resistance exists in some strains of HIV. Your doctor will know from this test if your specific virus strain has become resistant. This serves as a guide for therapeutic decisions.

Examinations for Complications

Your doctor may also request extra lab tests to check for infections or other issues. These tests might include:

• Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C viral infection
• Tuberculosis
• STDs
• Impairment of the liver or kidneys
• Infection of the kidneys
• Carcinoma of the anus and cervical region
• Cytomegalovirus
• Infection with toxoplasma

Also Read: Dystonia: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Complications

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Treatment 

HIV/AIDS cannot be cured. Your body is unable to eradicate the virus once it has gained hold of it. However, some medications help manage HIV without having unfavorable side effects.

Antiretroviral treatment, or ART, is a must for all people with HIV diagnoses. This holds regardless of the illness's stage or the kind of its side effects.

In ART, combining two or more medications from different classes is a standard procedure. The highest likelihood of decreasing HIV levels in the blood is provided by this strategy. Many antiretroviral therapy (ART) solutions consist of many HIV medications in a single tablet that has to be taken once a day.

Different medication classes inhibit the virus in different ways. Blending many kinds of drugs is part of the treatment to:

• Consider viral genotype, which is another name for medicine resistance.
• Avoid creating new HIV strains that are drug-resistant.
• Try your best to lower the blood level of the virus.
• Three drugs from different classes in addition to two from the same class are most frequently used.

The following categories of anti-HIV drugs are included:

• Anti-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, or NNRTIs, obstruct a protein required by HIV for replication.Some examples include doravirine (Pifeltro), rilpivirine (Edurant), and efavirenz. 
• Nucleoside and nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) are basically faulty replicas of the building blocks that HIV needs to replicate itself. Abacavir , tenofovir disoproxil fumarate , zidovudine , emtricitabine , and lamivudine are a few examples.  Furthermore, drug combinations are provided, such as emtricitabine-tenofovir alafenamide fumarate and emtricitabine-tenofovir disoproxil fumarate.
• Protease inhibitors (PIs) stop HIV protease from working. HIV protease is an additional protein required by HIV for self-replication. Take, for example, atazanavir, darunavir , and lopinavir-ritonavir .
• Integrase Inhibitors. The integrase protein is hindered by integrase inhibitors. HIV uses the enzyme integrase to transfer its genetic material into CD4 T cells. Among these are bictegravir sodium-emtricitabine-tenofovir alafenamide fumarate, cabotegravir, raltegravir, and dolutegravir. HIV is unable to infect CD4 T cells due to inhibitors of entry or fusion.Maraviroc and enfuvirtide are two. Fostemsavir and ibalizumab-uk are examples of more recent drugs.

Commencing and sustaining treatment

For all HIV-positive people, antiviral medicine must be accessible, irrespective of their CD4 T cell count or symptoms.

Following up with antiretroviral medication (ART) to keep your HIV viral load from being detected in your blood is the greatest way to stay healthy.

ART will not work if you do not take the drugs as prescribed. Remind yourself never to miss a dose. Keeping the viral load undetectable during antiretroviral therapy (ART) is advantageous.

• Keep your immunity strong.
• Reduce the chance of becoming sick.
• Lower your chance of contracting HIV that is resistant to therapy.
• Reduce your risk of HIV infection to other people.

Sustaining HIV therapy might be difficult. Discuss any possible side effects, medication issues you may be having, and any concerns you may have regarding mental health or drug usage that could make it difficult for you to stick to ART with your healthcare professional.

See your doctor for routine check-ups to discuss how you are doing and how well you are responding to treatment. Tell your healthcare practitioner right away if you have any adverse effects from your HIV medication. After that, you may work together to find answers to those issues.

Unfavorable outcomes of the medication

The following are a few side effects of the treatment:

• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Cardiac disorders
• Damage to the kidneys and liver
• Weakening or loss of bone
• Excessively elevated cholesterol levels
• Increased glycemic level
• Problems relating to feeling, thinking, and sleep

Treatment for age-related diseases

Managing some age-related health concerns may be more difficult if you have HIV. Anti-HIV drugs might not work well with several common drugs for conditions including metabolic disorders, age-related cardiac problems, or bone problems. Talk to your healthcare practitioner about any other medical conditions you may have and the drugs you take for them.

If a separate medical professional prescribes medicine for a different illness, let them know about your HIV therapy. The doctor may then verify that there are no issues with taking the prescriptions at the same time.

Response to medical intervention

Your doctor will keep an eye on your CD4 T cell counts and viral load to see how well you are responding to HIV medication. The first check-up is done every four to six weeks. After that, you visit your doctor every three to six months.

Treatment should lower your viral load to the point where it is not visible in your blood. That does not mean you are immune to HIV. Even if HIV cannot be seen in your blood, it still exists in your body.

Also Read: Menkes Disease Symptoms, Treatment, Causes, And Syndrome

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Prevention

There is no known treatment for HIV/AIDS, and there is no vaccination to stop HIV infection. You can, however, prevent becoming ill and infecting others.

To try and halt the HIV epidemic:

• Consider pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP. Two PrEP drugs are taken orally, sometimes referred to as oral medicines, and one is injected intravenously. The oral drugs are Truvada (emtricitabine-tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) and Descovy (emtricitabine-tenofovir alafenamide fumarate). Aprecitude is the brand name of the injectable drug (cabotegravir). Those at very high risk can use PrEP to reduce the risk of HIV infection via sexual activity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, PrEP can reduce the risk of HIV infection by drug injection by at least 74%  and through sexual activity by almost 99%. The use of Descovy in people who have receptive vaginal intercourse—in which a penis is inserted into the vagina—has not been studied. Botox Gravir, also marketed as Apexult, is the first PrEP drug approved by the US Food and Drug Administration that may be given intravenously to reduce the risk of HIV infection in those who have been sexually exposed. A medicine specialist gives the shot. Following two monthly dosages, aptitude is given every two months. The injection is a substitute for taking a daily PrEP pill. Your healthcare practitioner will only provide these drugs to those who are not presently HIV positive to prevent HIV. Before starting any PrEP, you need to have an HIV test. You must take the test before each injection or every three months if you are taking pills while on PrEP. You have to take the pills every day or closely follow the injection regimen. Safe sex techniques are still required to prevent the spread of STIs.  You have to take the pills every day or closely follow the injection regimen. Safe sex techniques are still required to prevent the spread of STIs. If you have hepatitis B, you should see a liver or infectious disease specialist before beginning PrEP medication.
• Use TasP as treatment or prevention. If you already have HIV, taking medicine can keep your partner from getting the virus. If your blood tests come back negative for the virus, there is no way to find out what your viral load is. In this manner, you will not utilize sexual activity to infect others. If you use TasP, you must follow your doctor's instructions and take your prescription exactly as prescribed. 
• Take post-exposure prophylaxis, sometimes known as PEP, after being exposed to HIV. If you think you may have come into contact with needles, intercourse, or work, visit the emergency room or consult your physician. You can drastically reduce your risk of HIV infection by beginning PEP as soon as feasible during the first 72 hours. For 28 days, the drug must be taken
• Make sure to use a new condom each time you engage in vaginal or anal intercourse. Both male and female condoms are available. Lubricants derived from oil may weaken and break condoms more readily. Use a dental dam, which is a piece of medical-grade latex used for oral sex, or a cut-open condom without lubricating it.
• Let your partners know that you have HIV. Telling everyone of your past and current sexual partners about your HIV status is essential. Testing them is necessary.
• A clean needle is essential. If you are going to inject illicit drugs, make sure the needles are sterile. Keep them private. Use the needle exchange services offered in your area. Seek therapy for your substance abuse.
• In case you are expecting, get medical help right away. Your children are susceptible to HIV. Therapy during pregnancy, however, can dramatically reduce the danger to your unborn child.
• Consider the male circumcision procedure. Excision of the penis's foreskin, or circumcision, has been shown to reduce the risk of HIV infection.

Also Read: Bleeding Disorder Types, Causes, Treatment, and Symptoms

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Complications

HIV infection weakens your immune system. As a result of the condition, you are significantly more likely to develop several infections and some cancers.

HIV/AIDS recurrent infections

• PCP is also known as pneumocystis pneumonia. There might be serious health consequences from this fungal infection. In the United States, it is less common due to HIV/AIDS medications. Still, among those living with HIV, PCP is the most common cause of pneumonia.
• Thrush is another term for candidiasis. Candida is one common HIV-related infection. As a result, a thick, white film forms over the mouth, vagina, esophagus, and tongue.
• TB stands for tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is a common HIV-related opportunistic disease. Tuberculosis is one of the leading causes of mortality for AIDS patients globally. In the US, it is less common due to the extensive use of HIV drugs.
• Cytomegalovirus. Blood, urine, semen, saliva, and breast milk are among the body fluids that can transmit the common herpes virus. Even when the immune system is active and the virus is latent, it nevertheless persists in the body. When the immune system weakens, the virus becomes active and damages the eyes, lungs, digestive system, and other organs.
• Cryptococcal-related meningitis. The swelling, irritation, or inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs that surround the brain and spinal cord is referred to as meningitis. Cryptococcal meningitis is a common HIV-related central nervous system illness. Grown in soil, the fungus is the reason.
• Toxoplasma infection. The root cause of this disease is the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which is mostly spread by cats. Infected cats expel the parasites through their stools. Subsequently, the parasites may infect people and other animals. A toxoplasmosis infection may result in heart disease. Convulsions happen when they get to the brain. Plus, it may be deadly.

Cancers associated with HIV/AIDS

• Lymphomas. This malignancy initially manifests itself in white blood cells. The most typical early symptom is painless lymph node swelling, which often occurs in the groin, armpit, or neck.
• Kaposi's Sarcoma. This is a tumor of the blood vessel walls. Pink, red, or purple lesions on the skin or in the mouth are the most typical signs of kaposi sarcoma in people with white skin. On those with brown or black skin, lesions may look dark brown or black. Furthermore, Kaposi sarcoma can impact internal systems including the lungs and digestive system organs.
• Cancers connected to HPV, the human papillomavirus. The HPV virus is the cause of these cancers. These include cancers of the cervical, oral, and anal regions.

Other problems

• The wasting syndrome. HIV/AIDS may cause significant weight loss if treatment is not received. Diarrhea, exhaustion, and fever are typical adverse effects of weight loss.
• Neurological difficulties are issues with the brain and nervous system. Neurological symptoms like confusion, forgetfulness, anxiety, depression, and difficulty walking can be brought on by HIV. HIV-related neurological illnesses can range in severity from mild cognitive impairment and behavioral abnormalities to severe dementia that completely hinders the affected person.
• Renal disease. Microscopic filters in the kidneys become inflamed and swollen when HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN) occurs. Waste materials and surplus fluid are transferred from the blood to the urine via these filters. Kidney illness more typically affects Black and Hispanic people.
• Liver disease. Liver disease is another dangerous side effect that usually affects those who already have hepatitis B or C.

Also Read: Trigeminal Neuralgia Treatment, Symptoms, Causes, and Types

Download the PrepLadder app now to access high-yield content with 24-hr Free Trial. Explore premium study resources like Video Lectures, digital notes, QBank, and Mock Tests for a seamless exam preparation. Time to begin your NEET PG coaching online with PrepLadder.