Definition and Causes of HIV Aids

Definition of HIV / Aids

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a collection of symptoms and infections (or: syndrome) arising out of ‘destruction of the human immune system caused by HIV infection, or infection of other viruses that attack similar to other species (SIV, FIV, etc). The virus called Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that weakens the immunity in the human body. People affected by this virus will become vulnerable to opportunistic infections or susceptible to tumors. Although ‘handling of the existing’ can slow the rate of progression of the virus, but this disease can not really be cured.

HIV and similar viruses are generally transmitted through direct contact between the skin layers (mucous membrane) or the bloodstream with a bodily fluid containing HIV, such as blood, semen, vaginal fluid, pre-seminal fluid, and breast milk. Transmission can occur through sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal, or oral), blood transfusion, contaminated hypodermic needles, between mother and baby during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding, as well as other forms of contact with body fluids.

Scientists generally believe that AIDS came from Sub-Saharan Africa. Now that AIDS has become a plague. AIDS has infected an estimated 38.6 million people around the world. Antiretroviral treatment can actually reduce the death rate and severity of HIV infection, but access to treatment is not available in all countries.

Social penalties for people with HIV / AIDS are generally more severe when compared with patients with other deadly diseases. Sometimes the social punishment is also happened the health workers or volunteers, are involved in caring for people living with HIV/ AIDS (PLWHA).

The Cause of HIV / AIDS

AIDS is the worst form for the consequences of HIV infection. HIV is a retrovirus that usually attacks the vital organs of the human immune system, such as CD4+Tcells (a type of Tcells), macrophage, and dendritic cells. HIV damages the CD4+Tcells directly and indirectly, whereas CD4+Tcells required for the immune system to function properly. If HIV killed CD4+Tcells until the number shrank to less than 200 per micro liter of blood, then the immunity at the cellular level will be lost, and the consequently is ‘a condition called AIDS’. Acute HIV infection will progress to clinically latent infection, and then early symptoms of HIV infection and ultimately AIDS; that identified by examining the number of CD4 + T cells in the blood and the presence of certain infections.

Without antiretroviral therapy, the average duration of progression of HIV infection to AIDS is nine to ten years, and the average survival time after AIDS is only about 9.2 months. However, the rate of progression of HIV disease in each person varies widely, from two weeks to 20 years. Many factors influence it; such is the strength of the body to defend against HIV (such as immune function) from an infected person. Older people generally have a weaker immunity than younger people, so more at risk of rapid disease progression. Less access to health care and the presence of other infections such as tuberculosis can also accelerate the progression of HIV disease. Genetic heritage of an infected person also plays an important role. Some people are naturally resistant to some HIV variants. HIV has several genetic variations and a variety of different forms, which will lead to clinical disease progression that different too. Highly active antiretroviral therapy will be able to extend the average time of developing AIDS, and the ability of the average time patients survive.

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