Symptoms of people with AIDS. Symptoms of HIV, AIDS in women in the early and late stages with photos and videos recently updated! Features of HIV infection in children

The immunodeficiency virus is a dangerous disease that in recent years has high tendencies to spread. Everyone should know the signs of HIV. At least in order to be able to see a doctor at an early stage and start treatment in a timely manner. The classification of this dangerous ailment has several stages, each of which has characteristic symptoms. It is worth focusing on the fact that you should not make a terrible diagnosis for yourself according to the manifestations that will be listed below. Indeed, in some cases, they may indicate the presence of other diseases and pathologies in the body, or be the cause of weakened immunity. Signs of HIV infection can appear at all stages. There are five of them. We are talking about the incubation, acute and latent periods, as well as the stages of secondary manifestations and the terminal stage. Each of them has its own symptoms.

Incubation period: signs of HIV, photo

There are no signs of AIDS in the incubation period. This stage begins from the moment of infection. It lasts an average of two or four weeks. Sometimes this time can be extended up to six months. It all depends on the characteristics of the human immune system. What happens to the body during the incubation period? The cells of the virus begin to multiply actively. At the same time, the immune system is actively fighting the spread of the virus. It starts producing antibodies that are resistant to the virus. Their number increases almost in proportion to the growth of cells affected by the disease. This continues until the amount of protective proteins grows to the limit. It is at this point that seroconversion begins. In other words, only from this period does the test for the immunodeficiency virus become positive, and the signs of AIDS make themselves felt.

Despite the fact that the incubation period is asymptomatic, it is considered one of the most dangerous in terms of infecting other people. The fact is that an infected person not only in the blood, but also in the secretory fluid contains a large number of pathogens of the virus. This indicates that any unprotected sexual intercourse in this case will result in a guaranteed infection.

Signs of HIV disease begin to appear in the acute stage. Medical experts still cannot pinpoint its onset. After all, this ailment can be diagnosed only from the moment it is detected in the blood. Perhaps part of the acute phase also proceeds without obvious symptoms.

By the way, along with the fact that at the first stage there are no signs of HIV and AIDS, a blood test also does not reveal the presence of this pathogen in the blood. The most common mistake that people make after unprotected contact is the late submission of the test for the immunodeficiency virus. Medical experts recommend in this case to be checked no earlier than a month later.

Acute stage: signs of AIDS, photo

The acute stage of the immunodeficiency virus is "generous" for various manifestations. What happens to the body at this time? The number of T-hellers infected with a terrible disease is gradually increasing. This provokes the release of a large number of pathogens into the blood. The immune system is no longer able to cope with the virus. This leads to its weakening, and, as a consequence, to the manifestation of the first signs of an HIV-infected person.

It is important to know that the immunodeficiency virus can manifest itself in different ways. However, in almost all people, the main HIV symptom is an increase in body temperature. Depending on the reaction of immunity to the pathogen, it may be small, but constant (does not exceed 38 degrees). Most often, the immune system in infected people is weakened so much that the temperature rises from 38 to 40 degrees. At the initial stages, it is mistaken for manifestations of influenza or SARS. However, with the immunodeficiency virus, the temperature lasts for a long time (about two to three weeks). It is rarely possible to bring it down to normal with the help of standard drugs. At the same time, such signs are noted in a person with AIDS and HIV, such as aching bones, severe weakness and apathy. People who use hard drugs often confuse this condition with withdrawal symptoms.

In addition to fever, which is confused with seasonal viruses, there may be other external signs of HIV. This is a rash that can be pronounced and widespread throughout the body. In some cases, it is barely distinguishable and localized in certain places, for example, on the face, hands, genitals and adjacent skin areas. These external signs of HIV infection can be a wake-up call for a dermatologist to whom an infected person seeks help.

The primary signs of HIV infection also include enlargement of all lymph nodes. The lymphatic system reacts most sharply to weakening of the immune system, since they are closely interconnected. Lymph nodes with the immunodeficiency virus not only increase, but also hurt. Sometimes they are not noticeable visually, but they are easily felt and give the patient special discomfort.

What signs of HIV in the acute stage can be in addition to the above? This is an upset stomach. Its characteristic feature is resistance to antidiarrheal drugs. The body does not react to them in any way and there is no improvement. By the way, diarrhea in an infected person can last for several weeks or even months. In this case, it is extremely important to maintain a water-salt balance in order to avoid dehydration. Signs of AIDS or HIV associated with the gastrointestinal tract can be complemented by nausea and abdominal cramps.

It should be noted that concomitant diseases against a background of weakened immunity can occur in patients already in the acute stage. It all depends on the degree of weakening of the immune system. What signs of HIV infection can manifest in this case? First, it is pneumonia. They can be infectious or bacterial in nature and have an atypical clinical picture. In this case, it is extremely difficult to cure a lingering pneumonia. With inadequate care and therapy, it can result in pulmonary edema or death.

These are not the only signs of the disease in AIDS in the second acute stage, concerning the respiratory system. Often, already at this stage, the infected develop tuberculosis. For the presence of this ailment, people with immunodeficiency syndrome are checked first.

External signs of AIDS in a person at this stage may include not only a rash, but also seborrheic dermatitis. Initially, this manifestation can be confused with dandruff, but gradually it spreads from the scalp to the face and body.

Latent stage: signs of HIV infection, photo

The latent stage of the immunodeficiency virus is considered asymptomatic. This period is the longest. It can be between two and twelve years in total. The latent period ends with the most dangerous terminal stage, in which the changes that have occurred in the body against the background of the flowing virus and related ailments are irreversible. There are no obvious signs of the HIV virus during this period, but it itself is easily detected in human blood. The immune system at a latent stage is able to produce the required amount of antibodies that protect the body. That is why there are no clinical signs of HIV infection at this stage.

Scientists believe that if a person begins to lead a healthy lifestyle during this period, eat right, and give up all bad habits, then the signs of AIDS will recede for a long time. After all, it is these factors that directly affect the state of the immune system.

Signs of HIV and AIDS in the secondary stage

The beginning of this period was marked by the fact that the number of T-hellers decreased almost to a critical level. In this regard, the immune system ceases to fully resist the virus and the affected organism becomes the main target for concomitant diseases. Secondary signs of HIV in humans are manifested by the following concomitant diseases:

• Candidiasis and other fungal infections. They affect the oral cavity, genitals, and in severe cases, they can spread throughout the body.
• Shingles is also a symptom of HIV-infected people. This ailment at this stage is characterized by a high rate of spread and resistance to drug therapy.
• Damage to the central nervous system is more common in the terminal stage. However, such a manifestation of secondary infection is also possible. Dementia, hydrocephalus, and occasional muscle cuts are the last signs of secondary AIDS. But the most dangerous of them is considered a disease like Kaposi's sarcoma. It is characterized by both external and internal manifestations. With this ailment, the human body is affected by focal small neoplasms, which eventually turn into ulcers. This pathology is dangerous because it can spread to brain tissue.
• Signs of the presence of HIV at this stage may be supplemented by herpes sores. The herpes virus is considered one of the most common diseases associated with immunodeficiency syndrome.

The general clinical signs of HIV infection at the secondary stage can be supplemented with Pneumocystis manifestations. In patients during this period, pneumonia of bacterial and viral origin often occurs, which are difficult to treat.

Terminal stage: what signs of AIDS are characteristic for this period?

The signs of an HIV-infected person at the last stage are most pronounced. They depend on which pathogen has entered the body, as well as on how badly the organs and tissues are affected. It should be noted that regardless of what signs of AIDS are traced at this stage, a person's immunity to this stage is weakened five times in comparison with the indicators typical for a healthy body. Therefore, there is practically no fight against the virus during this period.

Here are the signs of HIV infection that affect the human body at the terminal stage:

• Cytomegalovirus ... This ailment is characterized by symptoms such as damage to the retina of the eye associated with a disease of the brain and often resulting in loss of vision.
• Deep fungal lesions... What are the symptoms of HIV in this condition? These are non-healing ulcers and other types of skin lesions, which also spread to the mucous membranes of the mouth and larynx, which leads to pneumonia, as well as the genitals.
• Tuberculosis... The exact signs of HIV infection and AIDS in tuberculosis are rapid. This applies to rapid weight loss, the presence of persistent low-grade fever, as well as damage not only to the lungs, but also to internal organs.

What other signs of HIV disease are characteristic for this stage? First of all, this is an increase in lymph nodes. And so strong that it is noticeable visually. Often in the terminal stage, a person develops toxoplasmosis. It is characterized by extensive brain damage. What signs are observed in HIV-infected people with toxoplasmosis? This is incoherent speech or its loss, paresis of individual limbs or complete paralysis, the inability to carry out familiar commands (write, read, think, eat).

What else is important to know about immunodeficiency syndrome or 16 visual signs of HIV

Scientists from California have identified the signs of AIDS that should raise suspicion in any person. There are sixteen of them in total. These are muscle pain, fever, fatigue, headache. It looks like ARVI, isn't it? But if such symptoms continue for a long time, you should immediately contact a specialist. Upset gastrointestinal tract, skin rash, dry cough and weight loss. Together, these manifestations should also raise suspicion. Prolonged pneumonia, heavy sweating mainly at night, fungal infections, and changes in the shape and color of nails are serious reasons for concern. The last four unpleasant symptoms are cold sores, menstrual irregularities, loss of concentration, numbness or tingling of the hands. What if a person noticed at least five such manifestations in himself? You can, of course, watch videos showing signs of HIV and AIDS, but it is much better to see a doctor immediately.

AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is a late manifestation of the body's infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). AIDS is not a disease, but a complex reaction of the body to a developing infection, you cannot get AIDS, only HIV infection. According to doctors at Oxford University, the development of the syndrome indicates an overly acute reaction to HIV: groups of people with a significant amount of viral particles in the blood, who have not received antiretroviral therapy and do not have AIDS symptoms, have been identified. The causes of AIDS, its development in HIV-infected people, and methods of therapy are still under study. Today, there is scientifically confirmed information about methods of infection, stages of development of the syndrome and methods of prevention.

What is HIV?

The human immunodeficiency virus was isolated from a patient's lymphocytes in 1983 by a group of scientists led by Luc Montagnier. At the same time, a similar virus was obtained in a US laboratory. In 1987, the disease was named HIV Infection.

There are two serotypes of the virus: HIV-1 and HIV-2. The first type plays the most significant role in an infectious pandemic, including in Russia. HIV infection is a systemic disease of the body that provokes a gradual drop in the general immunity of a person. With a decrease in immunity, the body cannot resist the effects of numerous pathogenic microorganisms and fight the development of malignant neoplasms.

The main diseases that arise in the body of an infected person can affect healthy people, however, as a rule, the dynamics of their development is much more restrained. Some diseases (the so-called opportunistic) occur exclusively with immunodeficiency against the background of HIV infection, since immunity normally inhibits them.

Why is HIV infection incurable?

The causative agent of HIV infection after penetration into the human body cannot yet be destroyed. Also, despite numerous studies and programs, an effective HIV vaccine has not yet been created.

This phenomenon is associated with the high ability of the virus to genetically change: the microorganism changes at the same moment when the immune system starts producing antibodies. Moreover, if a virus infected with one strain of the virus is secondarily infected with a virus with an altered genotype, the two strains “carry out” recombination, exchange of gene sections, which leads to the appearance of superinfection. The third reason for the resistance of the virus to drugs is the ability to “hide” in the intracellular space, passing into a latent form.

Causes of AIDS

It is possible to get AIDS only with HIV infection and the corresponding reaction of the body to the pathogen. Despite the widespread belief that only a drug addict or homosexual can get AIDS, this has long ceased to correspond to the real situation. HIV infection no longer serves as a marker of exclusively drug use, the presence of indiscriminate hetero- and homosexual relationships: the prevalence of the virus is detected among various social strata of the population, age groups, regardless of sexual preferences and addictions.

According to the data of the World Health Organization, about 80% of new HIV infections were detected in Eastern Europe, 18% in Western European countries, 3% in Central Europe. Russia accounts for 81% from Eastern European countries and 64% of all cases reported in the European Region.

At the same time, the routes of infection differ on a territorial basis: in Europe, homosexual sex takes the first place (42%), slightly ahead of heterosexual ones (32%), infection among drug addicts does not exceed 4%.

Russia today is the only country in the world where infection among drug addicts accounts for more than half of the common causes of HIV infection (51%). In second place are heterosexual contacts (47%), and only 1.5% is infection among homosexuals.

It should be noted that in Russia it is not accurate enough: according to experts, every 100th person in our country is HIV-infected, that is, 1% of the population, not counting illegal migrants. Experts warn that in a country with so many infected people, where only one in three people get free antiretroviral therapy, a large-scale epidemic could begin by 2021.

Ways of transmission

In world statistics, in the first place is HIV infection through sexual contact with an infected person, and with any kind of sexual contact. If the carrier of the infection follows the rules of specific therapy, the probability of infection is 1%.

Traumatic sexual intercourse, in which cracks may form on mucous surfaces, as well as the presence of erosion, damage to the internal and external integuments with existing diseases, increase the likelihood of virus penetration. In women, the virus is present in the blood, vaginal secretions, in men - in blood and semen. Infection when blood particles or other biological fluid containing an infectious agent enter the body of a healthy person also occurs during invasive procedures, most often associated with the use of reusable syringes without appropriate treatment. It is also likely that infection occurs during medical, dental procedures, visits to nail salons, tattoo studios and other places where the instrument can intentionally or accidentally come into contact with an injured surface. Before the introduction of control of donor fluids (blood, plasma) and organs, there were cases of infection from donor to recipient.

The vertical route of infection is the transmission of infection from mother to child during gestation, during childbirth or during breastfeeding.

There are no other ways of infection that are not associated with contact with blood, vaginal secretions or seminal fluid. The infection does not spread when using the same dishes, hygiene items, visiting pools, bathrooms and toilet rooms, is not transmitted through blood-sucking insects, etc. The human immunodeficiency virus is extremely unstable in the external environment and quickly dies outside the body.

AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) symptoms

The disease, AIDS syndrome, develops as a late complication of HIV infection. Immediately after infection, during the incubation period (on average 3 weeks - 3 months), no symptoms and manifestations are observed, although antibodies to the causative agent of the disease are already being produced.
The stage of primary manifestations, replacing the incubation period, may also be asymptomatic or manifest as an acute HIV infection, which depends on the general health of the person and the state of his immune system.

The clinical picture of the manifestation of the disease is quite extensive. The first symptoms may include:

• feverish condition;
• rash on the skin and mucous membranes;
• enlargement and / or soreness of the lymph nodes;
• catarrhal manifestations, cough, rhinitis, pharyngitis;
• weight loss;
• persistent or recurrent diarrhea;
• enlargement of the liver and spleen in size.

A similar symptomatology, including all of the above manifestations, is observed only in 15-30% of patients, in other cases there are 1-2 symptoms in different combinations.
Then comes the latent asymptomatic stage, the duration of which is from 2-3 to 20 years (on average 6-7 years). At this stage, there is a significant decrease in the number of lymphocytes in the blood. A drop in the level of lymphocytes, indicating the onset of severe immune deficiency, can lead to a stage of secondary diseases. Among the most common are:

• sore throats;
• pneumonia;
• tuberculosis;
• herpes;
• fungal infections;
• intestinal infections;
• oncological diseases;
• infections caused by protozoa and others.

The next stage, terminal, is characterized by acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or AIDS. At this stage, severe AIDS symptoms lead to the destruction of vital body systems. This stage is lethal, despite active antiviral therapy.
Modern drugs make it possible to prolong the stages of development of the infection and more effectively fight opportunistic and general infections that lead to the death of patients.

AIDS and HIV - diagnostic methods

Photo: Room's Studio / Shutterstock.com

The diagnosis is never made based on symptoms of AIDS or other stages of HIV infection. However, the disease can be suspected by the following diagnostic features:

• diarrhea resistant to therapy for 2 months or more;
• prolonged unmotivated fever;
• skin rash in various variations;
• the development of Kaposi's sarcoma at a young age;
• decrease in body weight by more than 10%, for no apparent reason.

Confirmation of the diagnosis is made using two tests: a screening test (the most common test is an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and a confirmatory test that evaluates the presence of the virus and viral load.

Treatment and prevention of the disease

The basis of therapy is the control of viral reproduction and the treatment of concomitant diseases. By following the prescriptions of specialists and taking modern drugs, it is possible to curb the development of HIV infection.

Treatment should begin immediately after diagnosis. Centers for the treatment and prevention of HIV infection have been established in Russia, where drugs are prescribed and dispensed for HIV-infected people. Additional treatment is aimed at combating cancer and opportunistic infections resulting from decreased immunity and stimulating the immune system.

Preventive measures include compliance with safety measures during sexual intercourse, medical and cosmetic procedures, regular blood tests for infection and adherence to specialist prescriptions.

Good day, dear readers!

In today's article, we will consider with you such a serious disease as HIV infection, and everything that is connected with it - the reasons, how it is transmitted, the first signs, symptoms, stages of development, types, analyzes, tests, diagnostics, treatment, medications, prevention and other useful information. So…

What does HIV mean?

HIV infection in children

HIV infection in children in many cases is accompanied by developmental delays (physical and psychomotor), frequent infectious diseases, pneumonitis, encephalopathy, hyperplasia of pulmonary lymphatic catches, hemorrhagic syndrome. Moreover, HIV infection in children, which they acquired from infected mothers, is characterized by a more rapid course and progression.

The main cause of HIV infection is infection with the human immunodeficiency virus. AIDS is also caused by the same virus as AIDS is the last stage in the development of HIV infection.

- a slowly developing virus belonging to the family of retroviruses (Retroviridae) and to the genus of lentiviruses (Lentivirus). It is the word “lente” in Latin that means “slow”, which partly characterizes this infection, which develops from the moment it enters the body and until the last stage rather slowly.

The size of the human immunodeficiency virus is only about 100-120 nanometers, which is almost 60 times smaller than the diameter of a blood particle - an erythrocyte.

The complexity of HIV lies in its frequent genetic changes in the process of self-reproduction - almost every virus differs from its predecessor by at least 1 nucleotide.

In nature, as of 2017, 4 types of virus are known - HIV-1 (HIV-1), HIV-2 (HIV-2), HIV-3 (HIV-3) and HIV-4 (HIV-4), each of which differs in genome structure and other properties.

It is HIV-1 infection that plays a role at the heart of the disease of most HIV-infected people, therefore, when the number of the subtype is not indicated, the default is exactly 1.

The source of HIV is people infected with the virus.

The main routes of infection are: injection (especially injection drugs), transfusion (blood, plasma, erythrocyte mass) or organ transplantation, unprotected sexual contact with a stranger, unnatural sex (anal, oral), trauma during childbirth, breastfeeding of the baby (if mother is infected), trauma during childbirth, the use of non-disinfected medical or cosmetic items (scalpel, needles, scissors, tattoo machines, dental and other instruments).

For HIV infection and its further spread throughout the body and development, it is necessary that the infected blood, mucus, sperm and other biomaterials of the patient get into the bloodstream or the human lymphatic system.

An interesting fact is that some people have an innate defense against the human immunodeficiency virus in their bodies, so they are resistant to HIV. The following elements have such protective properties - CCR5 protein, TRIM5a protein, calcium-modulated cyclophilin ligand (CAML) protein, and interferon-induced transmembrane protein CD317 / BST-2 ("tetherin").

By the way, the CD317 protein, in addition to retroviruses, also actively counteracts arenaviruses, filoviruses and herpes viruses. The CD317 cofactor is the cellular protein BCA2.

Groups at risk of HIV infection

• Drug addicts, mainly injecting drug users;
• Sex partners of drug addicts;
• Persons with promiscuous sex life, as well as those who have unnatural sex;
• Prostitutes and their clients;
• Donors and people in need of blood transfusion or organ transplantation;
• People with venereal diseases;
• Doctors.

The classification of HIV infection is as follows:

Classification by clinical manifestations (in the Russian Federation and some CIS countries):

1. Stage of incubation.

2. The stage of primary manifestations, which according to the flow options can be:

• no clinical manifestations (asymptomatic);
• acute course without secondary diseases;
• acute course with secondary diseases;

3. Subclinical stage.

4. Stage of secondary diseases caused by the defeat of the body by viruses, bacteria, fungus and other types of infection developing against the background of a weakened immune system. Downstream is divided into:

A) body weight is reduced by less than 10%, as well as frequently recurring infectious diseases of the skin and mucous membranes - pharyngitis, otitis media, shingles, angular cheilitis ();

B) body weight decreases by more than 10%, as well as persistent and often recurring infectious diseases of the skin, mucous membranes and internal organs - sinusitis, pharyngitis, shingles, or diarrhea (diarrhea) within a month, localized Kaposi's sarcoma;

C) body weight is significantly reduced (cachexia), as well as persistent generalized infectious diseases of the respiratory, digestive, nervous and other systems - candidiasis (trachea, bronchi, lungs, esophagus), pneumocystis pneumonia, extrapulmonary tuberculosis, herpes, encephalopathy, meningitis, cancerous tumors (disseminated Kaposi's sarcoma).

All variants of the course of the 4th stage have the following phases:

• progression of pathology in the absence of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART);
• the progression of pathology on the background of HAART;
• remission during or after HAART.

5. Terminal stage (AIDS).

The above classification is largely the same as the classification approved by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Clinical classification (CDC - US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention):

The CDC classification includes not only the clinical manifestations of the disease, but also the indicator of the number of CD4 + T-lymphocytes in 1 μl of blood. It is based on the division of HIV infection into only 2 categories: the disease itself and AIDS. If the parameters below meet criteria A3, B3, C1, C2 and C3, the patient is counted as an AIDS patient.

Symptoms by CDC Category:

A (acute retroviral syndrome) - characterized by an asymptomatic course or generalized lymphadenopathy (HLAP).

B (AIDS-associated complex syndromes) - may be accompanied by oral candidiasis, herpes zoster, cervical dysplasia, peripheral neuropathy, organic lesions, idiopathic thrombocytopenia, leukoplakia or listeriosis.

C (AIDS) - may be accompanied by candidiasis of the respiratory tract (from the oropharynx to the lungs) and / or esophagus, pneumocystosis, pneumonia, herpetic esophagitis, HIV encephalopathy, isosporosis, histoplasmosis, mycobacteriosis, cytomegalovirus infection, cryptosporicomidiosis Kaposi, lymphoma, salmonellosis and other diseases.

Diagnosis of HIV infection

Diagnosis of HIV infection includes the following examination methods:

• Anamnesis;
• Visual examination of the patient;
• Screening test (detection of blood antibodies to infection by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay - ELISA);
• A test that confirms the presence of antibodies in the blood (a blood test by immune blotting (blot)), which is carried out only if the screening test is positive;
• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR);
• Tests for the immune status (counting CD4 + lymphocytes - performed using automatic analyzers (flow cytometry method) or manually, using microscopes);
• Viral load analysis (counting the number of copies of HIV RNA in a milliliter of blood plasma);
• Rapid HIV tests - diagnostics is performed using ELISA on test strips, agglutination test, immunochromatography or immunological filtration analysis.

Tests alone are not enough to diagnose AIDS. Confirmation occurs only with the additional presence of 2 or more opportunistic diseases associated with this syndrome.

HIV infection - treatment

Treatment of HIV infection is possible only after a thorough diagnosis. However, unfortunately, as of 2017, officially, adequate therapy and drugs that would completely eliminate the human immunodeficiency virus and cure the patient have not been established.

The only modern method of treating HIV infection today is highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), which is aimed at slowing the progression of the disease and stopping its transition to the AIDS stage. Thanks to HAART, a person's life can last for several decades, the only condition is the lifelong intake of appropriate medications.

The insidiousness of the human immunodeficiency virus is also its mutation. So, if drugs against HIV are not changed after a while, which is determined on the basis of constant monitoring of the disease, the virus adapts, and the prescribed treatment regimen becomes ineffective. Therefore, at different intervals, the doctor changes the treatment regimen, and with it the drugs. The reason for changing the drug can also be its individual intolerance to the patient.

Modern drug development is aimed not only at achieving the goal of effectiveness against HIV, but also at reducing the side effects from them.

The effectiveness of treatment also increases with a change in a person's lifestyle, an improvement in its quality - healthy sleep, proper nutrition, avoidance of stress, an active lifestyle, positive emotions, etc.

Thus, the following points can be highlighted in the treatment of HIV infection:

• Medication for HIV infection;
• Diet;
• Preventive actions.

Important! Before using medications, be sure to consult your doctor for advice!

1. Medical treatment of HIV infection

At the beginning, you need to immediately remind once again that AIDS is the last stage in the development of HIV infection, and it is at this stage that a person usually has very little time to live. Therefore, it is very important to prevent the development of AIDS, and in many respects it depends on the timely diagnosis and adequate therapy of HIV infection. We also noted that the only method of HIV treatment today is considered to be highly active antiretroviral therapy, which, according to statistics, reduces the risk of AIDS formation by almost 1-2%.

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) - a method of treating HIV infection, based on the simultaneous administration of three or four drugs (tritotherapy). The number of drugs is associated with the mutagenicity of the virus, and in order to bind it at this stage as long as possible, the doctor selects exactly the set of drugs. Each of the drugs, depending on the principle of action, is included in a separate group - reverse transcriptase inhibitors (nucleoside and non-nucleoside), integrase inhibitors, protease inhibitors, receptor inhibitors and fusion inhibitors (fusion inhibitors).

HAART has the following goals:

• Virological - aimed at stopping the reproduction and spread of HIV, an indicator of which is a decrease in the viral load by a factor of 10 or more in just 30 days, to 20-50 copies / ml or less in 16-24 weeks, as well as keeping these indicators as long as possible;
• Immunological - aimed at restoring the normal functioning and health of the immune system, which is due to the restoration of the number of CD4 lymphocytes and an adequate immune response to infection;
• Clinical - aimed at preventing the formation of secondary infectious diseases and AIDS, it makes it possible to conceive a child.

HIV medications

Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors - the mechanism of action is based on the competitive suppression of the HIV enzyme, which ensures the creation of DNA, which is based on the RNA of the virus. It is the first group of drugs against retroviruses. They are well tolerated. Side effects include -, lactic acidosis, bone marrow suppression, polyneuropathy and lipoatrophy. The substance is excreted from the body through the kidneys.

Among the nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors are abacavir (Ziagen), zidovudine (Azidothymidine, Zidovirin, Retrovir, Timazid), lamivudine (Virolam, Heptavir-150, Lamivudin-3TC "," Epivir "), stavudine (" Aktastav "," Zerit "," Stavudine "), tenofovir (" Viread "," Tenvir "), phosphazide (" Nikavir "), emtricitabine (" Emtriva "), as well as complexes abacavir + lamivudine (Kivexa, Epsicom), zidovudine + lamivudine (Combivir), tenofovir + emtricitabine (Truvada), and zidovudine + lamivudine + abacavir (Trizivir).

Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors - delavirdine (Rescriptor), nevirapine (Viramune), rilpivirine (Edurant), efavirenz (Regast, Sustiva), etravirine (Intelens).

Integrase inhibitors - the mechanism of action is based on blocking the enzyme of the virus, which is involved in the integration of viral DNA into the genome of the target cell, after which a provirus is formed.

Integrase inhibitors include dolutegravir (Tivikay), raltegravir (Isentress), elvitegravir (Vitecta).

Protease inhibitors - the mechanism of action is based on blocking the viral protease enzyme (retropepsin), which is directly involved in the cleavage of the Gag-Pol polyproteins into individual proteins, after which the mature proteins of the human immunodeficiency virus virion are actually formed.

Protease inhibitors include amprenavir (Ageneraza), darunavir (Prezista), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir, Ritonavir), saquinavir-INV ( Invirase), tipranavir (Aptivus), fosamprenavir (Lexiva, Telzir), and the combined drug lopinavir + ritonavir (Kaletra).

Receptor inhibitors - the mechanism of action is based on blocking the penetration of HIV into the target cell, which is due to the effect of the substance on the coreceptors CXCR4 and CCR5.

Among the receptor inhibitors can be distinguished - maravirok ("Celsentri").

Fusion inhibitors (fusion inhibitors) - the mechanism of action is based on blocking the last stage for the introduction of the virus into the target cell.

Among the fusion inhibitors, one can single out - enfuvirtide (Fuzeon).

The use of HAART during pregnancy reduces the risk of transmission from an infected mother to her baby by up to 1%, although without this therapy, the percentage of infection of the baby is about 20%.

Among the side effects from the use of HAART drugs are pancreatitis, anemia, skin rashes, kidney stones, peripheral neuropathy, lactic acidosis, hyperlipidemia, lipodystrophy, as well as Fanconi syndrome, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and others.

A diet for HIV infection is aimed at preventing the patient from losing weight, as well as providing the body's cells with the necessary energy and, of course, stimulating and maintaining the normal functioning of not only the immune system, but also other systems.

It is also necessary to pay attention to a certain vulnerability of the immunity weakened by the infection, therefore, to keep yourself from infection with other types of infection - be sure to follow the rules of personal hygiene and the rules of cooking.

Nutrition for HIV / AIDS should:

2. Be high in calories, which is why it is recommended to add butter, mayonnaise, cheese, sour cream to food.

3. Include plenty of drinking, it is especially useful to drink decoctions and freshly squeezed juices with a large amount of vitamin C, which stimulates the immune system - decoction, juices (apple, grape, cherry).

4. Be frequent, 5-6 times a day, but in small portions.

5. Water for drinking and cooking must be purified. Avoid expired foods, undercooked meat, raw eggs, and unpasteurized milk.

What can you eat with HIV infection:

• Soups - vegetable, on cereals, with noodles, in meat broth, it is possible with the addition of butter;
• Meat - beef, turkey, chicken, lungs, liver, lean fish (preferably sea);
• Groats - buckwheat, pearl barley, rice, millet and oat;
• Porridge - with the addition of dried fruits, honey, jam;
• Bread;
• Fats - little sunflower, butter, margarine;
• Vegetable food (vegetables, fruits, berries) - carrots, potatoes, cabbage, squash, pumpkin, legumes, peas, apples, grapes, plums and others;
• Sweet - honey, jam, jam, jam, marmalade, marshmallow, sugar, sweet pastries (no more than 1 time per month).

Also, with HIV infection and AIDS, there is a deficiency of such and

3. Preventive measures

Preventive measures for HIV infection that must be followed during treatment include:

• Avoiding repeated contact with the infection;
• Healthy sleep;
• Compliance with the rules of personal hygiene;
• Avoiding the possibility of infection with other types of infection - and others;
• Avoiding stress;
• Timely wet cleaning at the place of residence;
• Refusal from prolonged exposure to sunlight;
• Complete rejection of alcoholic beverages, smoking;
• Good nutrition;
• Active lifestyle;
• Rest on the sea, in the mountains, i.e. in the most environmentally friendly places.

We will look at additional HIV prevention measures at the end of the article.

Important! Before using folk remedies for HIV infection, be sure to consult with your doctor!

St. John's wort. Pour well-dried chopped herb into an enamel pan and pour 1 liter of soft purified water over it, then put the container on fire. After the product boils, cook the product for another 1 hour over low heat, then remove, cool, strain and pour the broth into a jar. Add 50 g of sea buckthorn oil to the broth, mix thoroughly and set aside in a cold place for infusion, for 2 days. You need to take the product 50 g 3-4 times a day.

Licorice. Pour 50 g of chopped into an enamel pan, pour 1 liter of purified water into it and put on the stove, over high heat. After bringing to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for about 1 hour. Then remove the broth from the stove, cool it, strain, pour into a glass container, add 3 tbsp. tablespoons of natural, mix. You need to drink the broth in 1 glass in the morning, on an empty stomach.

Propolis. Pour 10 g of crushed half a glass of water and put the product in a water bath to simmer for 1 hour. Then cool the product and take it 1-3 times a day, 50 g each.

Syrup made from berries, apples and nuts. Mix together in an enamel saucepan 500 g of fresh red berries, 500 g of lingonberries, 1 kg of chopped green apples, 2 cups of chopped, 2 kg of sugar and 300 ml of purified water. Set aside for a while until the sugar dissolves, then put the product on a low heat for 30 minutes and boil the syrup from it. After the syrup must be cooled, poured into a jar and taken in the morning, on an empty stomach, 1 tbsp. spoon, which can be washed down with a sip of boiled water.

HIV prevention includes:

• Compliance;
• Blood and organ donor examinations;
• Screening all pregnant women for the presence of antibodies to HIV;
• Monitoring the birth of children in HIV-positive women and preventing breastfeeding;
• Conducting lessons on informing young people about the consequences of certain sexual relations;
• There are drug addiction movements with the aim of providing psychological assistance, teaching about safe injections and exchanging needles and syringes;
• Reducing the incidence of drug addiction and prostitution;
• Opening of rehabilitation centers for drug addicts;
• Promotion of safe sex;
• Refusal from unnatural sexual relations (anal, oral sex);
• Compliance by medical workers with all safety rules for working with biomaterials of infected people, incl. diseases such as;
• If a health worker has contact of mucous membrane or blood (cut, skin puncture) with an infected biomaterial, the wound must be treated with alcohol, then washed with soap and again with alcohol, and after that, in the first 3-4 hours, take drugs from the HAART group ( for example - "Azidothymidine"), which minimizes the possibility of developing HIV infection, and be monitored by an infectious disease specialist for 1 year;
• Compulsory treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) so that they do not become chronic;
• Refusal of tattooing, as well as visiting unverified beauty salons, cosmetology masters at home, little-known dental clinics with a dubious reputation;
• As of 2017, a vaccine against HIV and AIDS has not yet been formally developed, at least some drugs are still undergoing preclinical trials.

An expression such as “People living with HIV” (PLHIV) is used to refer to a person or group of people who are HIV-positive. This term was invented in connection with the fact that PLHIV can live in society for several decades, and die not from the infection itself, but from the natural aging of the body. PLHIV should never be a stigma to be avoided and kept in isolation. Also, PLHIV have the same rights as an HIV-negative person - to medical care, education, work, and childbirth.

Which doctor should I go to for HIV infection?

HIV infection - video

For several decades in a row, one of the most dangerous viruses is immunodeficiency. The danger of infection lies in the fact that after entering the body for several years, a person may not even suspect that he is a carrier of the virus. At the same time, the virus confidently in a latent form undermines the protective functionality of the immune system, making the body very vulnerable to all third-party infections. According to statistics, most patients, after confirming their HIV diagnosis, desperately refuse to fight and use supportive therapy, thereby approaching the terminal stage. The only way to prevent infection is to respect the state of health and a safe sex life. Timely identification of the virus at an early stage and the use of special therapy help to increase life expectancy, while not losing its quality. Therefore, it is very important to pay attention to any symptoms that arise.

HIV is a very complex virus that, after entering the body for a long time, does not make itself felt, thereby aggravating the clinical picture. If, after intercourse or other manipulation that is directly related to blood (needle prick on the street, donating blood, surgery, etc.), a man has suspicions, then it is best to do an express analysis.

Attention! You should not rely on the results of the first HIV test, since the virus has been in a latent form for a long time and may not be confirmed even by laboratory research. In this case, it is recommended to pass a second express test after a certain period of time and make sure that there is no virus.

The analysis carried out can confirm the diagnosis only six months after infection, therefore, it is necessary to carry out two tests with an interval of six months. Despite the inability to determine the presence of the virus in the body in the latent period, the first minor symptoms of the disease may appear. Moreover, medical studies have shown that the symptoms of the virus are more pronounced in men than in women. Complications of timely diagnosis to the best of symptoms may consist in the similarity of viral signs with symptoms of colds, flu and other ARVI ailments.

It is important! The HIV virus can even manifest itself as a banal overwork, therefore, in case of atypical manifestations, it is best to go for tests.

When colds occur, a greater percentage of men try to relieve symptoms on their own and not visit a specialist. However, doctors, collecting anamnesis of the patient, may be mistaken in the diagnosis. Thus, the prescribed treatment can only temporarily alleviate the condition, but not exclude the root cause. Consequently, the virus will make itself felt, but in the form of new signs.

The end of the latent period can be characterized by a complex of symptoms typical for HIV. The first months, the man has manifestations of infectious ailments. Therefore, if a man leads a promiscuous sex life, and at the same time often and for a long time has colds, then the possibility of HIV infection cannot be ruled out. The following symptoms cannot be ignored:

• body temperature is kept within 37 degrees;
• there is an increased level of sweating at night;
• persistent mild cough caused by sore throat;
• upset stomach;
• uncharacteristic weight loss;
• excessive fatigue even after minor exertion.

This is dangerous! HIV is difficult to diagnose, so in most cases colds are treated.

The main symptoms at an early stage

The carrier of the virus notes a slight increase in temperature, which is accompanied by a feverish state. It is characteristic that the patient feels unwell throughout the latent period.

This condition is explained by a typical reaction of the body: the immune system begins to actively produce leukocytes, which in turn are trying to eliminate the pathogenic virus. As a result, the man has a temperature of about 37-38 degrees, which does not disappear for a month. If this symptom is present, then you should immediately go to the doctor. Additional symptoms may be uncharacteristic before this dizziness, lack of appetite, nausea.

The main symptom that is misleading, both for the specialist and for the wearer himself, is a clear cough with signs of a sore throat. This symptom occurs through an inflammatory process that is activated in the lymphoid tissue of the tonsils. It is this symptomatology that prompts the treatment of a cold infection or flu. The specialist notices a diagnosis error when, after fourteen days, the patient's condition does not improve (it is standard that a cold lasts no more than 7-10 days).

Prolonged diarrhea is the second telltale sign of HIV infection in the body. If the bowel disorder lasts more than a month, then you need to go for examination, because dysbiosis and other gastrointestinal disorders cannot be observed for so long. A lack of appetite is added to the diarrhea, resulting in increased weight loss.

Symptoms after several years

While the virus is in a latent form, there are no obvious manifestations of it, however, after several months, a year, a couple of years, the man feels uncomfortable changes.

Symptoms that appear at an early stage (immediately after the latent period)	Symptoms after a year	Symptoms after three years
Alarming signs of immunodeficiency may be absent or manifest as an acute cold infection. The most common stage 1 symptoms include: Mental disorders, which manifest themselves as constant irritability, a state of apathy, depression; cold symptoms (sore throat, fever, minor runny nose); skin rashes (affecting the entire body or genital area)	The incubation period falls on this period of time. After the first signs of HIV appear, which are similar to cold symptoms, there comes a period of absence of any viral manifestations. At this stage, it is impossible to diagnose the virus on your own, only a specialized examination is required	It is very difficult to determine how long the incubation period will end - this can happen in a year, two or three. At this stage, the man has enlarged lymph nodes, especially in the groin area. Thus, generalized lymphadenopathy begins. Additionally, after enlargement of the lymph nodes, the following symptoms are observed: On the skin all over the body, neoplasms appear in the form of red-purple swellings (clearly manifested in men); dementia, and in a mild form - constant forgetfulness and absent-mindedness; cough with phlegm; increased body temperature to 38 degrees

How the symptoms of HIV manifest after infection and what signs are typical for men can be found in the video.

Video - HIV symptoms in men

The acute stage of a viral illness

Infectious mononucleosis - it is with such a disease that the symptoms of the acute stage in HIV are compared. Among the pronounced signs, the following are distinguished:

1. For a long time (up to one month), the temperature remains within 38 degrees, while after taking the antipyretic agent there is no decrease.
2. In the groin and neck area, lymph nodes are noticeably enlarged. It is noteworthy that the large size of the lymph nodes is not characterized by pain even when pressed on them.
3. Cold symptoms persist (namely cough, sore throat, stuffy nose).
4. Under the influence of the virus, the carrier undergoes mental changes, he begins to lose interest in life, apathy, irritability sets in.
5. The general condition is characterized by chronic fatigue and lethargy.
6. At night, there is increased sweating, which is not the norm in a healthy person.
7. A clear red rash appears on the skin, but this symptom does not always appear and is not temporary.

Attention! You cannot ignore the above symptoms and continue to have an active sex life without barrier contraceptives. All this time, the carrier infects new people without even realizing it. Therefore, in order to protect others and continue to lead an active lifestyle, it is necessary to undergo an express test to detect HIV infection every six months.

How long does it take to manifest HIV?

From the moment the virus enters the body and until the recession intensifies, many years can pass, in this case everything will depend on the individual characteristics of each organism. Scientists noted that in some, the ailment makes itself felt after a year, while in others, the latent form can drag on for a dozen. The average period of time after which HIV passes into the AIDS stage is determined at 10-12 years.

If we talk about how much you can learn about HIV infection, then basically, after the virus enters the body, one month passes and the patient begins to worry about colds. The primary stage is characterized by chills, enlarged lymph nodes, soreness in the muscles, a slight increase in temperature. The listed symptoms should be remembered and, if they are detected, urgently go for tests.

HIV is a human immunodeficiency virus caused by a retrovirus.

This condition is characterized by suppression of the immune defense, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) develops, as a rule, these are the first symptoms of HIV infection.

There are such stages of HIV infection:

• incubation period;
  • sharp;
  • no symptoms;
  • lymphadenopathy (enlarged lymph nodes);
  • damage to the skin and mucous membranes (secondary signs);
  • damage to internal organs;
  • terminal stage.

In most cases, HIV is determined already with secondary manifestations, when the symptoms are already clearly visible.

In the initial stages, the first symptoms of HIV are almost mild and go away rather quickly. At the initial stage, the immunodeficiency virus manifests itself in the same way in both men and women.

Symptoms

HIV infection has main symptoms : psychological and physical. If we take psychological, then they include depression, which often appears against the background of the disease. Sleep disorders and frequent anxiety can also be observed. Physical manifestations include: stool disorders, nausea, vomiting. Additionally, fever, skin rashes and gynecological diseases can join.

Incubation period

After infection, the virus does not declare itself in any way for some time. This is the incubation period. It can last from 4 months to 5 years, sometimes more. It should be noted that the tests will not yet show any abnormalities and outwardly the person looks completely healthy. However, it is already a carrier. After the incubation period, the acute stage begins.

Acute period

At this stage of the disease, symptoms resembling infectious mononucleosis can be observed, in principle, this isearly symptoms of HIV... The temperature may rise suddenlylymph nodes in HIV increase in size, angina begins. At the same time, the patient may experience constant weakness and headaches. The liver and spleen may enlarge, which is accompanied by aching pains.

After a while, a pink rash can be found on the skin. A complete blood count often shows an elevated white blood cell count. This is a milder course of infection and is observed in about 25-30% of patients. In other cases, the disease is more acute. This is expressed by frequent nausea and vomiting, inflammation of the gastrointestinal mucosa, general malaise.

Asymptomatic stage

It passes without pronounced symptoms. But, antibodies to HIV are already present in the blood. In the case when the immune system is slightly affected, this stage can last long enough. Some symptoms can be detected only for 5-6 years.

Lymphadenopathy

This disease is very often one of the main signs of HIV infection. It is characterized by inflammation and swelling of the lymph nodes, especially in the neck. You can observe an increase in the lymph node from 2 to 6 cm. Such symptoms continue up to 3-4 months, after which the patient's body weight is actively reduced.

Secondary manifestations

Most often, the secondary stage is accompanied by pneumonia. There is a cough, fever, and shortness of breath may occur when walking. During this period, the throat with HIV can be sore. Medicines for HIV infection - antibiotics and antiviral agents are ineffective.

The second manifestation may be a tumor of the lymphatic vessels. On the head or parts of the body, you can see small burgundy tumors.

In women, candidiasis, genital herpes, and tuberculosis are more common. There may be a decrease in memory and mental performance.

The first signs in women

During the incubation period, signs of infection with the immunodeficiency virus in men and women can manifest themselves from different organs and systems. However, the first sign of illness will be a persistent rise in temperature, often up to 38 degrees. Such an increase in temperature appears for no reason and lasts about 10 days. Cough, migraine, sleep deterioration and malaise gradually join. You may notice the appearance of a rash. Spots in HIV can vary in color, from pink to dark red. These HIV symptoms can be seen in the photo below.

Women are often accompanied by severe weight loss, which in some cases even leads to anorexia. Along with this, food intake often ends with nausea and vomiting.

Due to the fact that HIV infection affects the immune system, diseases of the genitourinary system are often observed in women. Also, infected young women often complain of very painful menstruation and a significant increase in lymph nodes in the groin area. Naturally, such manifestations often do not relate to this infection, but can only be a sign of hypothermia or inflammation of the ovaries. But, if such symptoms are observed for a long time, then it is necessary to undergo an examination and conduct tests in order to exclude the disease.

Many experts believe that the first manifestation of HIV disease is enlarged lymph nodes. However, it is in women that this phenomenon can be observed quite rarely.

There is an opinion that the infection in the female body does not develop as quickly as in the male. Although, there is no medical evidence for this.

Children who have been infected in utero have an earlier onset of the disease, often in the first 12 months. And some children do not have clinical manifestations up to 6-7 years old and even 15-16.

Newborn

Women with this disease often give birth to premature babies or those with developmental delay during pregnancy. Also, as in adults, one of the first signs of the disease in children is an increase in lymph nodes, up to about 1 cm. Sometimes the lymph nodes in children with HIV are enlarged by more than 1 cm, lower in the photo. On palpation, the nodes do not hurt and have a normal color.

On ultrasound, you will notice that the child's spleen and liver are enlarged. This symptom is common and is considered an early manifestation of infection. The disease provokes poor physical development. In such children, there is a decrease in growth, frequent viral diseases such as acute respiratory infections, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, and sometimes an unstable psychoemotional state.

Skin diseases can often be observed in children. The cause of which is a fungal or bacterial infection. It manifests itself in the form of scabies, vasculitis and a spotted rash.

In newborns, cardiovascular failure is often diagnosed against the background of the negative effect of infection on nerve cells and intestinal diseases. Later, lesions of the central nervous system join (they occur in about 60% of children).

It should be noted that children with HIV infection are most often susceptible to acute respiratory diseases, which, in turn, are severe and require long-term treatment.

In more rare cases, tumors in the third stage of the disease may be found in children.

Signs in men

The fact that the first signs of infection do not appear immediately has been described above. Therefore, let's go straight to the description:

• 7-12 days after infection, the first symptom can be seen - a rash that can cover the entire body. The first symptoms of HIV in men in the form of a rash can be seen below in the photo.
• the patient feels an increase in lymph nodes in the groin and neck;
• after a while fatigue and loss of appetite, drowsiness and unwillingness to work join.

However, every symptom listed should not be taken as a fact of HIV infection. Certain tests are required to confirm concerns. Also, do not forget about precautions to avoid such fears.

Infection facts

The methods of infection are as follows:

• an intimate relationship without adequate protection;
• after a blood transfusion;
• intrauterine, from mother to child.

Statistics show that approximately 85% of infections occur after heterosexual intercourse. In second place is drug use (intravenous).

Unfortunately, the percentage of infection among women is increasing every year. Now in the world more than 20% of women are diagnosed with HIV.

But, there is also a positive trend - the manifestation of the disease among children has significantly decreased. First of all, this is due to the timely appeal of women to clinics, before planning conception.

Considering that there is no single symptom that would be responsible for the manifestation of HIV infection, it is impossible to make a diagnosis based on the patient's complaints.

Such a diagnosis is necessary due to the fact that the public treats HIV disease as a disease that has no treatment and leads to an early death.

To date, there is only one method that allows you to determine the presence of infection as qualitatively as possible - this is an enzyme immunoassay. With the help of such an analysis, it is possible to determine the presence of antibodies to the disease. The material for analysis is blood taken from a vein.

During pregnancy, such an analysis is mandatory.

It should be noted that the analysis should be done some time after the alleged infection. This is due to the fact that antibodies can form approximately 4-12 weeks after infection. Therefore, early analysis is ineffective.

If you have suspicions of infection, but the analysis did not determine the presence of antibodies, then it is recommended to take it again after 5-7 weeks. In the event that a positive result is obtained, it is also recommended to retake it, for testing in more sensitive ways. This method includes PCR. With its help, it is possible to determine the DNA of the virus. The analysis itself is a very accurate study and allows you to determine the virus in the body, even if antibodies have not developed.

After the tests are done and the stage is determined, it is possible to begin treatment of the disease. Therapeutic treatment is carried out under dispensary supervision, in connection with the specifics of the virus, HIV drugs are selected.

Of course, HIV testing is not a compulsory matter and without the patient's consent they are not carried out. However, a timely diagnosis increases the chances of a positive treatment result. If the result is negative, then the person has nothing to worry about.

In case of detection of a virus, a person's life changes radically. He needs to tell his relatives about the disease, in order to avoid their infection. In addition, the disease affects the psycho-emotional state of a person, the planning of children and, in general, the attitude towards life. An individual treatment program is selected for patients with HIV, depending on the type of virus and the course of the disease: antiretroviral drugs, protease inhibitors, immunocorrective and immunosubstitution therapy.